The city is a regional center of medical care, with two of the largest hospitals in the area, CoxHealth and Mercy being the largest employers in the city. As of 2020, Springfield's largest ethnicities are 87.6% White, 4% Black, and 5% two or more races, placing it among the least-diverse cities in the United States. Springfield is within close distance to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and sits along the Trail of Tears, now a national historic trail. and the adjoining Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium. The city is the headquarters for Bass Pro Shops. The city has been called the 'Buckle of the Bible Belt' due to its association with evangelical Christianity.

Springfield's nicknames include 'Queen City of the Ozarks' and 'The Birthplace of Route 66'. Springfield is the second-largest urban area in the Ozarks. It is the principal city of the Springfield metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 487,061 in 2022 and includes the counties of Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk, and Webster, The city sits on the Springfield Plateau of the Ozarks, which ranges from nearly-level to rolling hills. The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 census. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County.

Springfield is the 3rd most populous city in the U.S.