Springfield is the third largest city in the
state of
Missouri and the
county seat of
Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. It is one of the two principal cities of the
Springfield-Branson Metropolitan Area, which has a population of 537,631 and includes the counties of
Christian,
Dallas,
Greene,
Polk,
Webster,
Stone and
Taney. Springfield's nickname is the "Queen City of the
Ozarks" and is known as the "Birthplace of
Route 66". It is also home of several universities including
Missouri State University,
Drury University, and
Evangel University.