Is Mountain Grove Safe, Pros and cons of living in Mountain Grove
Mountain Grove, Missouri, offers a glimpse into small-town American life, blending a close-knit community atmosphere with the practicalities of modern living. It’s a place where neighbors often know each other and community events play a significant role in social life. The town’s location within the Ozarks region also provides a scenic backdrop and access to outdoor recreational opportunities.
For those considering a move, understanding the various facets of life in Mountain Grove is essential. This includes evaluating safety, the cost of living, the job market, and the educational landscape. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview, drawing on recent data to paint a clear picture of what it’s like to call Mountain Grove home.
Is it Safe to Live in Mountain Grove?
Mountain Grove presents a mixed safety profile, with some indicators suggesting it is safer than the national average, while others point to areas needing attention. The city has a violent crime rate of 273.2 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average (as reported by OpenCrime). However, violent crime saw a significant increase of 155.3% from the previous year (as reported by OpenCrime).
Overall crime rates in Mountain Grove are reported to be 14.7% lower than the national average (as reported by Area Vibes). Despite this, the chance of being a victim of violent crime is 1 in 367, and the chance of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 66 (as reported by Area Vibes). The city’s crime trajectory is noted as improving based on four years of data (as reported by OpenCrime).
Cost of Living in Mountain Grove
The cost of living in Mountain Grove is generally considered to be more affordable than the national average. Housing costs are notably lower, with a single person’s monthly expenses for housing being 24.1% less than the national average (as reported by Salary.com). Total monthly expenses for a single person are estimated at $2,093, and for a family of four, $4,738, placing Mountain Grove among the least expensive cities in the U.S. (as reported by Salary.com).
While housing and other costs are lower, food expenses run slightly above the national average, at 5.2% higher monthly for an individual (as reported by Salary.com). However, these higher food costs are offset by savings in transportation, energy, and healthcare, which are 13.0% lower than the national average (as reported by Salary.com).
Housing Market Trends
The housing market in Mountain Grove shows a median sale price of $122,000 as of last month, a decrease of 54.5% since the previous year (as reported by Redfin). The median price per square foot is $142, which is down 7.2% from last year (as reported by Redfin). This indicates a buyer’s market, with prices trending downward.
Rental prices in Mountain Grove show an average rent of $950 per month (as reported by Zillow Rentals). This figure represents a decrease from the previous month, indicating potential shifts in the rental market. The rental price range for all bedrooms and property types falls between $775 and $1,300 (as reported by Zillow Rentals).
Job Market and Economy
The average annual salary in Mountain Grove is approximately $32,000, translating to an hourly rate of $15.38 (as reported by Zippia). The state minimum wage in Missouri is $10.30 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage (as reported by Zippia). The median wage in Mountain Grove is reported to be $45.9K per year (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
Employment in Mountain Grove has seen growth, with a 16.4% increase from the previous year, bringing the total number of employees to 1.85k (as reported by Data USA). The most common job sectors in the area are Sales & Related Occupations, Production Occupations, and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (as reported by Data USA). Major employers in the area include entities like Walmart and McDonald’s (as reported by Indeed.com).
Major Employers
Several key employers contribute to the economic landscape of Mountain Grove. Walmart, a global retail giant, operates in the area, providing numerous job opportunities (as reported by Indeed.com). Fast-food chains such as McDonald’s and Taco Bell also have a presence, offering employment in the food service industry (as reported by Indeed.com).
Other significant employers include the United States Postal Service and Dollar General, which are common in many communities and provide essential services and retail options (as reported by Indeed.com). The diversity of these employers suggests a varied job market, catering to different skill sets and career interests.
Climate in Mountain Grove
Mountain Grove experiences a climate typical of the Ozarks region, characterized by distinct seasons. Weather data collected from Waynesville Regional Airport, located approximately 43 miles away, provides insight into the area’s climate (as reported by Time and Date). This proximity means the actual climate in Mountain Grove can exhibit slight variations.
The area experiences a range of temperatures throughout the year, with seasonal shifts in precipitation. The National Weather Service provides forecasts for Mountain Grove, indicating typical weather patterns for the coming days. For example, recent forecasts mention chances of showers and thunderstorms, with temperatures fluctuating between the upper 70s and mid-60s (as reported by National Weather Service).
Average Temperatures and Precipitation
Detailed climate data for Mountain Grove, based on historical reports, shows average monthly precipitation. For instance, January typically sees around 2.6 inches of precipitation, while May can experience up to 5.05 inches (as reported by Time and Date). These figures offer a general understanding of the expected rainfall throughout the year.
Temperature data, while not explicitly detailed for Mountain Grove in the provided snippets, can be inferred from nearby weather stations and forecasts. Current conditions on a recent May afternoon indicated a temperature of 80.9°F with a heat index of 82.7°F (as reported by AgEBB – MU Extension).
Education in Mountain Grove
The Mountain Grove R-III School District serves the community, encompassing various grade levels. The district as a whole receives an overall Niche grade of B- (as reported by Niche). This indicates a generally positive, though not outstanding, educational environment for students.
Individual schools within the district also have their own ratings. For example, Mountain Grove Elementary School has an overall Niche grade of C+ (as reported by Niche), while Mountain Grove Middle School is rated as above average with an overall Niche grade of B (as reported by Niche). Mountain Grove High School holds a B- grade (as reported by Niche).
School Performance and Ratings
School performance is often evaluated based on academic proficiency and student-teacher ratios. Mountain Grove Elementary School has a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1, with 58% of students proficient in math and 54% in reading (as reported by Niche). Mountain Grove Middle School has a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1, with 49% math proficiency and 41% reading proficiency (as reported by Niche).
Mountain Grove High School has a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1, with 58% of students proficient in both math and reading (as reported by Niche). These statistics provide a quantitative measure of the educational offerings and student outcomes within the district.
Demographics of Mountain Grove
Mountain Grove, Missouri, has a population of 4,789 as of the 2010 census (as reported by Salary.com). The median household income in 2024 was reported as $37,415, a decrease from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 75.3% of residents own their homes, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).
The primary racial demographic in Mountain Grove is White, though specific percentages are not detailed in the provided data. Poverty status indicates that 17.8% of the population lives below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average of 12.5% (as reported by Data USA).