The Springfield region was the fastest-growing metropolitan area in Missouri last year, and it just keeps growing. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that the metro area, comprised of five southwestern Missouri counties, added another 10,000 residents in the past year, pushing its population to just over 407,000.

Springfield is first among Missouri cities for creating and sustaining jobs, according to the 2007 “Best Performing Cities” index compiled by The Milken Institute and Greenstreet Real Estate Partners.

Population growth is mirrored by work force growth. Growing at a rate of 2.4 percent annually, the metro area’s work force now exceeds 235,000 and has grown more than 16 percent in the past 10 years, according to Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce data.

The healthcare industry is one of the strongest employment sectors in Springfield, accounting for 15 percent of the total work force and having a $4.5 billion annual impact on the region’s economy. Major employment sectors also include higher education (45,000 college students), retail trade, hospitality, and manufacturing. The overall unemployment rate in the Springfield region has remained below 4.7 percent for more than 10 years.

Nearly $2 billion of new construction is underway in Springfield, including a new terminal at Springfield–Branson National Airport, the JQH Arena, a $65 million basketball facility at Missouri State University, a $700 million power generation facility owned by City Utilities of Springfield, and numerous facility expansion projects at St. John’s Heath Systems and CoxHealth (two of Missouri’s five largest hospital systems). Springfield, Missouri — Everywhere Should Be Like This.