Branson, Missouri | |
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 Flag | |
| Nickname: | |
 Show Branson Show Taney County Show Missouri Show the United StatesInteractive location map of Branson | |
| Coordinates:36°36′44″N93°17′31″W / 36.612287°N 93.291812°W /36.612287; -93.291812 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Missouri |
| Counties | Taney,Stone |
| Founded | 1882 |
| Incorporated | April 1, 1912 |
| Named after | Reuben Branson |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Mayor | Larry Milton |
| Area | |
• City | 21.469 sq mi (55.604 km2) |
| • Land | 21.343 sq mi (55.279 km2) |
| • Water | 0.125 sq mi (0.325 km2) 0.59% |
| Elevation | 965 ft (294 m) |
| Population | |
• City | 12,638 |
• Estimate (2024)[7] | 12,869 |
| • Density | 592.13/sq mi (228.62/km2) |
| • Urban | 28,640 |
| • Metro | 56,744 |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Codes | 65615, 65616 |
| Area code | 417 |
| FIPS code | 29-07966 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394242[5] |
| Website | bransonmo.gov |
Branson is aresort city in theU.S. state ofMissouri. Most of the city is situated inTaney County, with a small portion in the west extending intoStone County. Branson is in theOzark Mountains. The community was named after Reuben Branson,postmaster and operator of ageneral store in the area in the 1880s.[8] The population was 12,638 at the2020 census,[6] and its population constitutes nearly one fourth of the Taney County population.
Branson has long been a popular destination for vacationers from Missouri and around the country. The collection of entertainment theaters along76 Country Boulevard (and to a lesser extent alongShepherd of the Hills Expressway), includingDolly Parton's Stampede, has increased Branson's popularity as a tourist destination. Branson is the site of theBranson Cross, the largest cross monument in North America.[9]
In 1882, Reuben Branson (born 1853)[10] opened a general store and post office in the area.[11] Branson was formally incorporated on April 1, 1912, and construction of thePowersite Dam nearby on theWhite River which would formLake Taneycomo was completed.
In 1894, William Henry Lynch boughtMarble Cave (renamed "Marvel Cave") and began charging visitors to tour it. Hugo and Mary Herschend leased the cave for 99 years in 1950 and began hostingsquare dances in it. TheHerschend Family modernized the cave with electricity and concrete staircases, and in 1960 the Herschends openedSilver Dollar City, a re-creation of a frontier town that featured five shops, a church, and a log cabin, with actors that played out the feud betweenthe Hatfields and the McCoys.
Harold Bell Wright published his novel about the Ozarks,The Shepherd of the Hills, in 1907. The novel became an international best seller, making Wright the first millionaire author and established Branson and Southwest Missouri as a tourist destination. The Old Mill Theater began its first outdoor production based on the novel in 1960. The show, known asThe Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama, continued in its 61st season for 2021. The historic farm is also the home of Inspiration Tower, the Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park as well as numerous other shows and attractions.
The Harold Bell Wright Museum is located within The World's Largest Toy Museum complex. Mayor of Branson for 12 years and entrepreneurJim Owen built the first theater in 1934 on Commercial Street, originally called "The Hillbilly Theater", which began to attract people from far and wide to tour the area. 1959 saw the completion of Table Rock Dam on the White River, which createdTable Rock Lake. In 1959, the Mabe Brothers started a band that, in 1961, would become the first music show in Branson. Taking their name from the parts they played in the Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama, they became known as the Baldknobber Hillbilly Jamboree.
In 1962,Paul Henning, inspired by aBoy Scout camping trip to the Ozarks, createdThe Beverly Hillbillies, which ran as a CBS televisionsitcom until 1971. Henning later donated 1,534 acres (6.21 km2) for the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area near Branson. He also donated the modified 1921Oldsmobile truck used as the vehicle in the series to theCollege of the Ozarks, where it is on display in theRalph Foster Museum.
The Presley family became the first to move their show (Presleys' Country Jubilee) toHighway 76 in 1967, followed a year later by the Baldknobbers. Eventually Branson would have more than 50 theaters, most of them located on Highway 76.
Also in 1983, the 7,500-seat Swiss Villa Amphitheatre opened inLampe, southwest of Branson. The outdoor amphitheater brought in acts likeDef Leppard,Lynyrd Skynyrd,REO Speedwagon,Steppenwolf, andOzzy Osbourne. Closing in the early 2000s, it reopened in 2010 as the Black Oak Mountain Amphitheater. Closing suddenly in 2013, it went unused until relaunching live music events in 2021.
In 1987,Boxcar Willie became the first internationally known entertainer to purchase a theater in Branson and have a permanent performance schedule there.
In 1989,Shoji Tabuchi opened his first theater in Branson (converting the Ozarks Auto Museum on West 76 Highway into a theater). He then built a new theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway in 1990, whileMel Tillis moved into Shoji's old theater. In 1990-1991 several nationally known stars such asJim Stafford,Ray Stevens,Mickey Gilley, andMoe Bandy opened their own theaters. Along with these national stars, many home-grown shows also had theaters. The Lowe Family featured their show and hosted nationally known stars likeConway Twitty,Loretta Lynn,Vern Gosdin,Waylon Jennings, and others. 76 Music Hall (now known as the Grand Country Music Hall) became the first theater to have three different shows a day performing in different time slots. In 1991, local producer and entertainer Bob Nichols opened the first morning show and the following year,Buck Trent became the first nationally known star to star in a morning show.
The increasing number of theaters and other attractions opening in Branson drew the attention of60 Minutes, which aired an episode about Branson on December 8, 1991, and called it the "live music capital of the entire universe".[12]
Andy Williams built his theater in Branson, opening on May 1, 1992, calling it the Moon River Theatre. TheGlen Campbell Goodtime Theatre opened in 1994, starring Glen along with his "Goodtime Band", daughter Debbie Campbell, the Matthew Dickens Dancers, and comedian ventriloquistJim Barber. Also headlining their own theaters wereTony Orlando (Yellow Ribbon Theater) andBobby Vinton (Blue Velvet Theater). In 1998, the Acrobats of China arrived in Branson, making them one of the first international shows to call Branson home. They opened their theatre, the New Shanghai Theatre, in 2005. In 2006,Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theatre opened and is the most recent new theater to be built on Route 76. Branson has continued to add theaters (the most recent being the Sight & Sound Theatres) and shows; it refers to itself as "the live music show capital of the world".[13]
Just after 1 a.m. on February 29, 2012, the city of Branson sustained damage from an EF-2 tornado in the2012 Leap Day tornado outbreak. At least 37 injuries were reported, most being cuts and bruises, with the most serious injury being an 80-year-old woman with a head injury.[14][15] Most of the tourist attractions and businesses were undamaged and remained open after the storm, although at least 11 buildings suffered more than $3 million in total damage. As of November 2012, most of the damage was repaired.[16] Mary Jane Rice, a spokeswoman for Branson Area Chamber of Commerce, told the AP that February is generally a slow time for business and most of the damage would be cleaned up in the next few days.[17] The tornado followed a 22-mile-long (35 km) path fromKimberling City, Missouri, acrossTable Rock Lake and along the entertainment stripMissouri Route 76 (now 76 Country Boulevard) before hitting the downtown area where it blew out or cracked windows in 219 of the hotel rooms in the 12-story/295 room Hilton Branson Convention Center. The tornado extensively damaged three of Branson's 50-plus theatres — (Americana Theater, Branson Variety Theater andDick Clark's American Bandstand Theater) and there was damage to portions of Branson Landing onLake Taneycomo and the Veterans Memorial Museum. Vehicles at theRide the Ducks water/land attraction were flipped over, but officials said they were not damaged enough to be put out of service.[18][19][20]
Branson's local attractions include Aquarium at the Boardwalk, Beyond The Lens!,Hollywood Wax Museum Branson,Wonderworks,Silver Dollar City,White Water, Ripley's Super Fun Zone,Mount Pleasant Winery,Dolly Parton's Stampede, helicopter rides, ziplines, cave tours, go-karts, mini golf, and more.Ripley's Odditorium is housed in a building that has been made to look as if it is cracked wide open by an earthquake or other disaster, while theTitanic Museum is a half-scale replica of the famous ship and iceberg.[21]
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Branson Landing opened in the summer of 2006[22] on theLake Taneycomo waterfront in downtown Branson. The lakefront project includes retail space withBass Pro Shops andBelk as anchors in an outdoor shopping mall of stores and restaurants. It also features a scenic boardwalk along the lakefront with the Branson Landing Fountains at the heart of the property as well as aHilton Hotel. Branson Landing has been known to host summer concerts and other special events throughout the year. The convention center, situated between Branson Landing and Historic Downtown Branson, opened September 7, 2007. TheBranson Scenic Railway is located in the old depot, across from Branson Landing.
Due to Branson being known for family-oriented tourism, casino gambling is frowned upon and it does not exist in this area. However, Branson's neighboring cities do offer those types of entertainments for those who enjoy gambling.[23]
Finally, Branson's ferris wheel, moved fromChicago'sNavy Pier in 2016, provides a scenic view of theOzarks from 150 feet.[24]
The White River/Lake Taneycomo forms a bend on the east and southern side of the city. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.469 square miles (55.60 km2), of which 21.343 square miles (55.28 km2) is land and 0.126 square miles (0.33 km2) (0.59%) is water.
Branson has ahumid subtropical climate (Cfa) with characteristics of acontinental climate. Thehardiness zone is 7a.[25]
| Climate data for Branson, Missouri (1991−2020 normals) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 80 (27) | 87 (31) | 90 (32) | 96 (36) | 99 (37) | 105 (41) | 116 (47) | 108 (42) | 106 (41) | 96 (36) | 90 (32) | 81 (27) | 116 (47) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 43.2 (6.2) | 49.2 (9.6) | 58.4 (14.7) | 67.6 (19.8) | 75.1 (23.9) | 83.9 (28.8) | 88.1 (31.2) | 88.0 (31.1) | 80.2 (26.8) | 69.6 (20.9) | 57.6 (14.2) | 47.1 (8.4) | 67.3 (19.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 34.9 (1.6) | 39.4 (4.1) | 48.0 (8.9) | 57.2 (14.0) | 65.5 (18.6) | 73.9 (23.3) | 78.4 (25.8) | 77.6 (25.3) | 69.8 (21.0) | 59.1 (15.1) | 47.6 (8.7) | 38.7 (3.7) | 57.5 (14.2) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 26.6 (−3.0) | 29.6 (−1.3) | 37.6 (3.1) | 46.8 (8.2) | 56.0 (13.3) | 63.9 (17.7) | 68.7 (20.4) | 67.1 (19.5) | 59.3 (15.2) | 48.7 (9.3) | 37.7 (3.2) | 30.3 (−0.9) | 47.7 (8.7) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −15 (−26) | −19 (−28) | 0 (−18) | 19 (−7) | 29 (−2) | 40 (4) | 48 (9) | 40 (4) | 30 (−1) | 22 (−6) | 6 (−14) | −12 (−24) | −19 (−28) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 2.81 (71) | 2.91 (74) | 4.29 (109) | 4.77 (121) | 5.54 (141) | 3.87 (98) | 4.12 (105) | 4.15 (105) | 5.08 (129) | 3.86 (98) | 3.93 (100) | 3.00 (76) | 48.33 (1,228) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 2.9 (7.4) | 2.6 (6.6) | 1.2 (3.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 1.7 (4.3) | 8.4 (21) |
| Source 1:[26] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2:[27] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 598 | — | |
| 1930 | 958 | 60.2% | |
| 1940 | 1,011 | 5.5% | |
| 1950 | 1,314 | 30.0% | |
| 1960 | 1,887 | 43.6% | |
| 1970 | 2,175 | 15.3% | |
| 1980 | 2,550 | 17.2% | |
| 1990 | 3,706 | 45.3% | |
| 2000 | 6,050 | 63.2% | |
| 2010 | 10,520 | 73.9% | |
| 2020 | 12,638 | 20.1% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 12,869 | [7] | 1.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[28] 2020 Census[6] | |||
The BransonMicropolitan Statistical Area encompasses and is coterminous withTaney County.
According to realtor websiteZillow, the average price of a home as of September 30, 2025, in Branson is $246,076.[29]
As of the 2023American Community Survey, there are 5,660 estimated households in Branson with an average of 2.2 persons per household. The city has a median household income of $54,961. Approximately 19.0% of the city's population lives at or below thepoverty line. Branson has an estimated 57.5% employment rate, with 29.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 91.2% holding a high school diploma.[30] There were 8,723 housing units at an average density of 0.64 per square mile (0.2/km2).
The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (_%), Spanish (_%), Indo-European (_%), Asian and Pacific Islander (_%), and Other (_%).
The median age in the city was 38.2 years.
| Race / ethnicity(NH = non-Hispanic) | Pop. 1990[31] | Pop. 2000[32] | Pop. 2010[33] | Pop. 2020[34] | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 3,620 | 5,569 | 8,956 | 9,832 | 97.68% | 92.05% | 85.13% | 77.80% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2 | 45 | 184 | 306 | 0.05% | 0.74% | 1.75% | 2.42% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 10 | 51 | 80 | 88 | 0.27% | 0.84% | 0.76% | 0.70% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 24 | 43 | 154 | 338 | 0.65% | 0.71% | 1.46% | 2.67% |
| Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian alone (NH) | — | 2 | 13 | 8 | — | 0.03% | 0.12% | 0.06% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 0 | 5 | 147 | 45 | 0.00% | 0.08% | 0.13% | 0.36% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | — | 77 | 191 | 674 | — | 1.27% | 1.82% | 5.33% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 50 | 258 | 928 | 1,347 | 1.35% | 4.26% | 8.82% | 10.66% |
| Total | 3,706 | 6,050 | 10,520 | 12,638 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, there were 12,638 people, 5,842 households, _ families residing in the city.[35] Thepopulation density was 0.93 inhabitants per square mile (0.4/km2). There were 8,591 housing units at an average density of 0.63 per square mile (0.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 80.57%White, 2.46%African American, 0.90%Native American, 2.68%Asian, 0.09%Pacific Islander, 4.69% from some other races and 8.60% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 10.66% of the population.[36]
As of the2010 census, there were 10,520 people, 4,688 households, 2,695 families residing in the city. The population density was 509.9 inhabitants per square mile (196.9/km2). There were 8,599 housing units at an average density of 416.8 per square mile (160.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.95%White, 1.97%African American, 0.87%Native American, 1.51%Asian, 0.12%Pacific Islander, 3.93% from some other races and 2.64% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.82% of the population.
There were 4,688 households, of which 23.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.8% weremarried couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.5% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.77.
The median age in the city was 41.2 years. 18.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.6% were from 45 to 64; and 19.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.
As of the2000 census, there were 6,050 people, 2,701 households, 1,661 families residing in the city. The population density was 374.0 inhabitants per square mile (144.4/km2). There were 3,366 housing units at an average density of 208.1 per square mile (80.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.50%White, 0.84%African American, 0.86%Native American, 0.71%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 1.47% from some other races and 1.59% from two or more races.Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.26% of the population.
There were 2,701 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% weremarried couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.76.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.3% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.4% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 64, and 20.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,997, and the median income for a family was $43,145. Males had a median income of $31,769 versus $21,223 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $20,461. 12.1% of the population and 9.7% of families were below thepoverty line. 15.6% of those under the age of 18 and 17.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Branson Public Schools covers the portions in Taney County.[37] It operates four elementary schools, Branson Jr. High School andBranson High School.
The small portion of Branson in Stone County is within theReeds Spring School District.[38]
The town has a lending library, the Taneyhills Community Library.[39]
Branson is served by the 165 bed full-service hospital and emergency departmentCox Regional Medical Center and theMercy Health System multi-specialty clinic.[40][41][42]
U.S. Route 65 runs north and south, connecting Branson toSpringfield to the north, andLittle Rock to the south.Missouri Route 76 ran through Branson. In 2020, Route 76 was rerouted onto the existing Ozark Mountain Highroad replacingRoute 465. The old alignment now forms 76 Country Boulevard.[citation needed]
Branson is served primarily byBranson Airport, the closest commercial airport, which opened in May 2009. It is the largest privately owned commercial airport in the United States. Over the years, the airport has had on-again off-again service from carriers such asAirTran,Sun Country, andFrontier.
The two closest commercial airports to Branson with more extensive airline service are theSpringfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) located inSpringfield, Missouri, which is about 50 miles from Branson, andNorthwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), inBentonville, Arkansas, which is about 100 miles from Branson. Between these two airports, service is offered to cities such asChicago,Dallas,Houston,Atlanta, andDenver which allows connections to other cities.
M. Graham Clark Field in Branson is ageneral aviation airport, which serves mainly single engine aircraft.
Branson is served by theMissouri & Northern Arkansas Railroad (MNA), owned by shortline holding companyGenesee & Wyoming. The MNA is an important link betweenKansas City, Missouri, andNewport, Arkansas.[43] TheBranson Scenic Railway operates round-trip sightseeing trains out of Branson through a lease agreement with the MNA.[44] The trackage used was constructed in the 1900s by theSt. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway, later absorbed by theMissouri Pacific.
Media from Commons
Travel information from WikivoyageBranson travel guide from WikivoyageMunicipalities and communities ofTaney County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Municipalities and communities ofStone County, Missouri,United States | ||
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| Cities |  | |
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| CDP | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost town | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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