Springfield, Missouri (pop. 169,176; met. area pop. 475,432), is the third largest city in the state. Only Kansas City and St. Louis have more people. Springfield lies at the northern edge of the Ozark Mountains in southwestern Missouri.
Industries in Springfield include food processing and the manufacture of electronic equipment and machinery. Springfield is also a regional health-care center. The city has one of the largest dairy goods processing plants in the United States. The city lies in an area of scenic beauty, and it attracts many tourists. Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC, provides jobs and railroad service to Springfield.
The city is the site of the headquarters of the Assemblies of God, a religious denomination. Springfield is also the home of Baptist Bible College, Drury University, Evangel University, and Missouri State University.
The area was settled in 1830. Springfield became a town in 1838 and a city in 1847. It has a council-manager form of government. Springfield is the seat of Greene County.
