Osage Beach, Missouri

Osage Beach is a city located in both Camden and Miller counties in the U.S. state of Missouri. Situated along the Lake of the Ozarks, the city is a major tourism destination and serves as a regional commercial hub. The city is a center for lodging, shopping, dining, and business activity. Based on 2024 census, the city home to approximately 5,100 residents while welcoming over three million visitors each year.

Osage Beach maintains a park system that includes City Park, Peanick Park, and the Osage Beach Sports Complex, offering recreation areas, ball fields, and walking trails. The city was formally incorporated in 1965.

History

The development of Osage Beach is closely linked to the creation of the Lake of the Ozarks. Osage Beach was founded in 1886 as Zebra before being renamed as Osage Beach in 1935. Osage Beach was incorporated in 1959.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Formation of the Lake: In 1931, the Union Electric Company of St. Louis completed the construction of Bagnell Dam on the Osage River, creating the Lake of the Ozarks. The new reservoir quickly became a draw for visitors interested in boating, fishing, and resort recreation.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Early Development: During the 1930s and 1940s, the shoreline began to see the establishment of cabins, fishing camps, and small businesses catering to lake tourism. The area that would become Osage Beach developed as an accessible point on the lake due to its proximity to U.S. Highway 54.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Incorporation: The City of Osage Beach was first incorporated in 1959. Following a temporary dis-incorporation, voters approved a second and final incorporation in 1965.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Growth: The city grew rapidly as a resort and second-home destination during the 1960s and 1970s. Its central location on the Lake of the Ozarks led to the establishment of marinas, hotels, and resorts. Commercial growth in the 1980s and 1990s included the 1985 opening of the Osage Beach Premium Outlets (originally the Factory Outlet Mall).

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert is water.<ref name ="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref> The city is located on the shores of the Lake of the Ozarks.

Demographics

2020 census

At the 2020 census there were 4,792 people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 4,351 people, 2,038 households, and 1,166 families living in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 5,261 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 93.6% White, 1.1% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 2.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8%.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref>

Of the 2,038 households 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.3% were married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.8% were non-families. 35.3% of households were one person and 13% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.04 and the average family size was 2.57.

The median age was 48.9 years. 15.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.2% were from 25 to 44; 31.3% were from 45 to 64; and 24% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 3,662 people, 1,687 households, and 1,035 families living in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 4,055 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 97.35% White, 0.76% African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.82% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the total population.<ref name="GR2" /> Of the 1,687 households 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.6% were non-families. 31.6% of households were one person and 10.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.58.

The age distribution was 16.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 29.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.3% 65 or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.

The median household income was $38,448 and the median family income was $49,554. Males had a median income of $30,444 versus $21,440 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,685. About 4.5% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Schools

• Osage Beach Elementary-Camdenton R-III
• School of the Osage (Miller County R-II School District)

Colleges and universities

• Columbia College - Lake of the Ozarks campus
• State Fair Community College - Lake of the Ozarks campus
• Central Methodist University - Lake of the Ozarks campus

Library

Osage Beach has a public library, the Osage Beach Library.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Media

Postcard featuring Osage Beach

Osage Beach is split between two television markets. While Camden County is part of the Springfield television market, Miller County is part of the Columbia/Jefferson City market. Charter Communications' cable system carries stations from both cities. DirecTV and Dish Network subscribers in the city receive Springfield stations, mainly because the bulk of the city is in Camden County.

Television

The following is a list of television stations that broadcast from and/or are licensed to Osage Beach, Missouri.

Callsign	Display Channel	Network	City of License	Owner
KRMS-LD	32.1	Cozi TV	Lake Ozark, Missouri	Viper Communications
	32.2	Real America's Voice
	32.3	NewsMax 2
	32.4	YTA TV
	32.5	Buzzr
	32.6	Fun Roads TV
	32.7	Classic Reruns TV
	32.8	Daystar
	32.9	WeatherNation
	32.10	The Country Network
KRBK	49.1	Fox	Osage Beach, Missouri	Nexstar Media
	49.2	Antenna TV
	49.3	Dabl
	49.4	Ion

Radio

The following is a list of radio stations that broadcast from and/or are licensed to Osage Beach, Missouri.

Frequency	Callsign	Nickname	Format	Owner	City of License	Web site
89.3	KEYK	The Key Radio	Community Radio	Orion Center, Inc	Osage Beach, MO	[1]
90.3	KCRL	Bott Radio Network	Christian Talk	Bott Radio	Sunrise Beach, MO	[2]
91.7	KCVO	Spirit FM	Christian Contemporary	Northwestern Media	Camdenton, MO	[3]
92.7	KLOZ	Mix 92.7	Hot AC	Benne Media	Eldon, MO	[4]
93.5	KRMS-FM	93.5 Rocks the Lake	Classic Rock	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO	[5]
95.1	KTKS	KS95	Country	Benne Media	Versailles, MO	[6]
97.5	K248BP	KRMS	News/Talk	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO	[7]
98.7	K254BE	98.7 The Cove	Adult Contemporary	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO	[8]
100.9	KCKP	Faith 100.9	Christian Talk	Northwestern Media	Laurie, MO	[9]
101.9	KZWV	101.9 The Wave	Adult Contemporary	Zimmer Radio	Eldon, MO	[10]
102.7	KQUL	Cool 102.7	Classic Hits	Benne Media	Lake Ozark, MO	[11]
103.3	K277DJ	KRMS	News/Talk	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO	[12]
104.9	K285ER	Classic Country 104.9	Classic Country	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO	[13]
107.9	KCLQ	107.9 The Coyote	Country	Go Productions	Lebanon, MO	[14]
1150	KRMS	KRMS	News/Talk	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO	[15]

Transportation

There are two general aviation airports in the Osage Beach area: Grand Glaize-Osage Beach Airport, which is within the city limits, and Lee C. Fine Memorial Airport, which is located about Template:Convert away in Kaiser.<ref>Welcome to the Osage Beach Airports!. Retrieved 2020-06-06.</ref>

The nearest primary commercial airports are Columbia Regional Airport (about Template:Convert away) and Springfield–Branson National Airport (about Template:Convert away). The smaller Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport is about Template:Convert away.

US Route 54 runs through Osage Beach. US Route 54 runs north to Jefferson City. US Route 54 runs south to Camdenton.

Infrastructure

As Osage Beach is predominantly a resort town, as such it boasts several tourist attractions and amenities, including an outlet mall with major national brands.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Healthcare

Osage Beach is home to Lake Regional Hospital. Part of the Lake Regional Health system, this general medical and surgical hospital houses a trauma center and has a total of 116 beds.Template:Citation needed

In popular media

The TV series Ozark is set in Osage Beach. In November 2017, it was reported that the series helped increase tourism and notoriety of the Lake of the Ozarks, but did not have a significant economic impact.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In February 2018, a restaurant called "Marty Byrde's" was opened in Lake Ozark, Missouri, that is inspired by the series, and includes menu items based on the show, including "Ruth's Smoked Wings".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• City of Osage Beach official website