Poplar Bluff, MO, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 16,225, Poplar Bluff is far from a bustling metropolis. The median household income sits at a meager $35,603, well below the national average, and nearly 27% of the population lives below the poverty line. Bureaucratic headaches are a persistent issue, with the city operating under a complex council-manager government structure. And the climate is hardly idyllic, with sweltering summers averaging over 90°F on 58 days per year. While Poplar Bluff boasts a historic downtown and a few notable residents, this sleepy Ozark town is best suited for those seeking a slower, more affordable pace of life.