city, seat (1858) of Howell county, south-central Missouri, U.S. It is situated in the Ozark Mountains, near the Arkansas state line, about 100 miles (160 km) east-southeast of Springfield. Laid out in 1858, it developed as a trade centre for a farming and livestock-raising area. During the American Civil War the town was subjected to numerous raids by both Union and Confederate forces.

Manufactures include flooring, pallets, pet food, furniture, electronic equipment, footwear, and truck bodies. Tourism is important because of the city's proximity to Lake Norfork and to sections of Mark Twain National Forest, which covers extensive areas around West Plains; the region is also a popular retirement area. The city is the site of the West Plains campus (1963) of Missouri State University and of the South-Central Area Vocational Technical School. Inc. 1912. Pop. (2000) 10,866; (2005 est.) 11,348.