- Location: Howell County, Missouri
- Legal status: Third-class city
- Population: 10,866 (Change since 1990: +21.9%)
- Latitude: 36°43'41" N (+36.7281)
- Longitude: 91°51'08" W (-91.8522)
- Elevation: 991 feet above sea level
- Civil township: Howell
- Land area: 12.4 square miles
- Water area: 0.02 square miles (13.1 acres)
As the crow flies, West Plains is...
| Year | Population | Percent change |
|---|
| 1900 | 2,902 | -- |
| 1910 | 2,914 | +0.4% |
| 1920 | 3,178 | +9.1% |
| 1930 | 3,335 | +4.9% |
| 1940 | 4,026 | +20.7% |
| 1950 | 4,918 | +22.2% |
| 1960 | 5,836 | +18.7% |
| 1970 | 6,893 | +18.1% |
| 1980 | 7,741 | +12.3% |
| 1990 | 8,913 | +15.1% |
| 2000 | 10,866 | +21.9% |