Ozark County is a county in Missouri, United States, on the Arkansas border in the south-central Ozark Mountains. It had a population of 8,553 at the 2020 census and covers 745 square miles (1,930 km2) of land centred near 36°39′N 92°26′W.
Gainesville is the county seat, and its postal code is 65655. The county has one incorporated city, two villages, three census-designated places, and dozens of unincorporated communities. Ozark County sits in the Central time zone and has no organized civil townships.
Towns & Villages in Ozark County
Ozark County’s settlements are mostly small crossroads communities scattered across the North Fork and Bryant Creek valleys. Only Gainesville is incorporated as a city; Bakersfield and Theodosia are incorporated villages. Pontiac, Sundown, and Wasola are census-designated places (CDP) with no separate municipal government. Everything else below is unincorporated.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesville | City · seat | 745 | 65655 |
| Bakersfield | Village | — | 65609 |
| Theodosia | Village | — | 65761 |
| Pontiac | CDP | — | 65729 |
| Sundown | CDP | — | — |
| Wasola | CDP | — | 65773 |
| Almartha | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Althea | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Bird Springs | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Brixey | Unincorp. | — | 65618 |
| Cross Roads | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Dawt | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Dawt Mill | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Dillia | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Dora | Unincorp. | — | 65637 |
| Dormis | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Dugginsville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Elijah | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Fay | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Foil | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hammond | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Hardenville | Unincorp. | — | 65666 |
| Howards Ridge | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Isabella | Unincorp. | — | 65676 |
| Locust | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Longrun | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Luna | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Lutie | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Mammoth | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Noble | Unincorp. | — | 65715 |
| Nottinghill | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Oak Mound | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Ocie | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Pondfork | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Prestonia | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Rockbridge | Unincorp. | — | 65741 |
| Romance | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sharp | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Souder | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Summit City | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sycamore | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Tecumseh | Unincorp. | — | 65760 |
| Thornfield | Unincorp. | — | 65762 |
| Thuroy | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Toccoa | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Toledo | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Trail | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Udall | Unincorp. | — | 65766 |
| Udall Landing | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Willhoit | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Zanoni | Unincorp. | — | 65784 |
Dawt and Dawt Mill both refer to the same North Fork River crossing, best known for the historic Dawt Mill grist mill and resort; the two names are used interchangeably rather than for two distinct places. Udall and Udall Landing likewise mark the same North Fork River bend, with “Landing” describing the old river-access point below the townsite.
ZIP Codes
- 65655 — Gainesville (also serves the county courthouse area)
- 65609 — Bakersfield
- 65761 — Theodosia
- 65637 — Dora
- 65760 — Tecumseh
- 65676 — Isabella
- 65762 — Thornfield
- 65773 — Wasola
- 65729 — Pontiac
- 65618 — Brixey
- 65766 — Udall
- 65784 — Zanoni
- 65715 — Noble
- 65666 — Hardenville
- 65741 — Rockbridge (mail-only, no local delivery)
Smaller crossroads communities without their own post office, such as Almartha, Dawt, Sundown, and Willhoit, are served by a neighboring ZIP code.
Geography
Ozark County lies in the rugged Ozark Highlands, cut by the North Fork of the White River and Bryant Creek, both known nationally for float fishing and trout water. The terrain is steep, forested ridge-and-hollow country with little flat land outside the river bottoms; Norfork Lake’s upper arm backs into the county’s southeastern corner. The county borders Douglas County to the north, Howell County to the east, and Taney County to the west, with Fulton, Baxter, and Marion counties across the Arkansas state line to the south.
Demographics
Ozark County had 8,553 residents at the 2020 census, giving a density of about 11.5 people per square mile — among the most sparsely settled counties in the state. Gainesville and Theodosia are the two largest named communities. Median household income in the county runs well below the Missouri median of $68,545, consistent with the county’s timber, agriculture, and tourism-based economy and its distance from any metro labor market.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture (cattle and hay), timber, and recreation-based tourism drive the local economy. The North Fork River’s cold, spring-fed water supports a well-known trout fishery and float-trip outfitters based around Dawt Mill and Rockbridge, drawing visitors from across the Midwest. Gainesville, the county seat, is the county’s commercial and government center, home to the Ozark County courthouse and R-VI school district.
History
Ozark County was organized on January 29, 1841, and named for the Ozark Mountains. Between 1843 and 1845 the Missouri legislature briefly renamed it Decatur County, after naval commodore Stephen Decatur, before restoring the original name. The county’s remote, hill-country geography kept it thinly settled and largely agricultural through the 19th and 20th centuries, and its population has changed little in recent decades.
Getting There
Missouri Route 5 and Route 160 are the county’s two main highways, meeting at Gainesville.
- West Plains, Missouri — 25 miles east
- Mountain Home, Arkansas — 30 miles south
- Branson, Missouri — 45 miles northwest
- Springfield, Missouri — 75 miles north
The nearest commercial airport is West Plains Municipal Airport for regional service, with Springfield-Branson National Airport the nearest major hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ozark County located?
It is in south-central Missouri, on the Arkansas state line, in the Ozark Mountains.
What is the population of Ozark County?
8,553 residents at the 2020 census.
How big is Ozark County?
745 square miles (1,930 km2) of land.
What is the county seat of Ozark County?
Gainesville is the county seat and largest city.
How many towns are in Ozark County?
One incorporated city (Gainesville), two villages (Bakersfield and Theodosia), three CDPs, and dozens of unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Ozark County?
Fifteen ZIP codes, led by 65655 (Gainesville), 65609 (Bakersfield), and 65761 (Theodosia).
What is Ozark County known for?
Float fishing and trout water on the North Fork River, especially around Dawt Mill and Rockbridge.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Missouri.