Osage Beach, Missouri

Osage Beach is a city in Camden and Miller counties in the U.S. state of Missouri, near the Lake of the Ozarks. Most of the city is in Camden County, while a small eastern sliver is in Miller County. The population was 4,637 at the 2020 census.

Osage Beach, Missouri
City
Main Street Music Hall
Location of Osage Beach, Missouri
Coordinates: 38°08′07″N 92°38′52″W
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Counties	Camden Miller
Founded	1886 (as Zebra) 1935 (as Osage Beach)
Incorporated	1959
Government
• Mayor	Michael Harmison
• Administrator	Jeana Woods
Area [1]
• Total	10.39 sq mi (26.92 km2)
• Land	9.82 sq mi (25.44 km2)
• Water	0.57 sq mi (1.48 km2)
Elevation [2]	656 ft (200 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,637
• Density	472.15/sq mi (182.29/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	65065
Area code	573
FIPS code	29-55244[3]
GNIS feature ID	2396089[2]

History

Osage Beach was founded in 1886 as Zebra before being renamed as Osage Beach in 1935. Osage Beach was incorporated in 1959.^[4][5]

When the Lake of the Ozarks was created, it caused the flooding of much of Zebra. Most of the town's merchants chose not to establish new locations.^[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.33 square miles (26.75 km²), of which 9.75 square miles (25.25 km²) is land and 0.58 square miles (1.50 km²) is water.^[7] The city is located on the shores of the Lake of the Ozarks.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1960	741		—
1970	1,091		47.2%
1980	1,992		82.6%
1990	2,599		30.5%
2000	3,662		40.9%
2010	4,351		18.8%
2020	4,637		6.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

2020 census

At the 2020 census there were 4,792 people.^[9]

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 446.3 inhabitants per square mile (172.3/km²). There were 5,261 housing units at an average density of 539.6 per square mile (208.3/km²). 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%.^[10]

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 389.8 inhabitants per square mile (150.5/km²). There were 4,055 housing units at an average density of 431.6 per square mile (166.6/km²). 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.^[3] 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.^[11]

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
90.3	KCRL	Bott Radio Network	Christian Talk	Bott Radio	Sunrise Beach, MO
91.7	KCVO	Spirit FM	Christian Contemporary	Northwestern Media	Camdenton, MO
92.7	KLOZ	Mix 92.7	Hot AC	Benne Media	Eldon, MO
93.5	KRMS-FM	93.5 Rocks the Lake	Classic Rock	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO
95.1	KTKS	KS95	Country	Benne Media	Versailles, MO
97.5	K248BP	KRMS	News/Talk	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO
98.7	K254BE	98.7 The Cove	Adult Contemporary	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO
100.9	KCKP	Faith 100.9	Christian Talk	Northwestern Media	Laurie, MO
101.9	KZWV	101.9 The Wave	Adult Contemporary	Zimmer Radio	Eldon, MO
102.7	KQUL	Cool 102.7	Classic Hits	Benne Media	Lake Ozark, MO
103.3	K277DJ	KRMS	News/Talk	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO
104.9	K285ER	Classic Country 104.9	Classic Country	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO
107.9	KCLQ	107.9 The Coyote	Country	Go Productions	Lebanon, MO
1150	KRMS	KRMS	News/Talk	Viper Communications	Osage Beach, MO

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 7 miles (11 km) away in Kaiser.^[12]

The nearest primary commercial airports are Columbia Regional Airport (about 65 miles [105 km] away) and Springfield–Branson National Airport (about 93 miles [150 km] away). The smaller Waynesville-St. Robert Regional Airport is about 53 miles (85 km) 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.^[13]

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.^{[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.^[14] 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".^[15]