Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area

Springfield, Missouri
Springfield-Nixa-Branson Missouri Combined Metropolitan Area
Downtown Springfield viewed from Jordan Valley Park
Country	United States
State(s)	Missouri
Largest city	Springfield
Other cities	- Battlefield  - Nixa  - Ozark  - Republic  - Branson  - Marshfield  - Buffalo  - Willard  -
Area
• Total	3,021 sq mi (7,820 km2)
Population (2016 estimates)
• Total	544,712
• Rank	83rd in the U.S.

The Springfield-Branson, Missouri Combined Metropolitan Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of seven counties in southwestern Missouri, anchored by the city of Springfield - the state's third largest city. Other primary population centers in the metro area include Branson, Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Marshfield, Bolivar, and Willard. Currently, the city limits of Springfield reach the Ozark City limits at the Christian County line on US 65, the city limits of Republic at James River Freeway on the southwest side of the city, and the Strafford city limits on Route 744 on the northeast side of the city. As of the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 520,589, though the 2015 Estimates place the population at 541,991.

Springfield Public Schools is the largest fully accredited school district in the State of Missouri with nearly 25,000 students and a graduation rate of roughly 88%. Nixa Public Schools, located just south of Springfield, is a growing district of 6,000 students that frequently ranks above the national average in ACT scores and has for the last ten years earned the highest state recognition for academic achievement given in Missouri. Other growing districts in the area are located in the cities of Ozark, Republic, Strafford, Branson and Marshfield. Private schools in the area include the Greenwood Laboratory School in Springfield, located on the Missouri State campus, and the Summit Preparatory School, located near James River Freeway in Chesterfield Village.