Van Buren, MO

Van Buren is Carter County’s seat on the Current River, where U.S. 60 meets Missouri 103 in the Ozarks. The town began in 1833 as the seat of Ripley County and was named for Vice President Martin Van Buren. When Carter County was created in 1859, Van Buren became its county seat. The river crossing shaped the town’s early location, while today’s city sits beside Mark Twain National Forest and within the Ozark National Scenic Riverways region. The 2020 census counted 747 residents.

Big Spring Park and the Ozark National Scenic Riverways headquarters give the county seat a visitor-facing side, while the Current River brings floating, fishing, and summer weekends. Van Buren R-I operates an elementary school, middle school, and high school; district clubs and athletics extend across the town’s school calendar. A Carter County Library branch and locally owned businesses fill in the day-to-day map. Van Buren is a river town where county government, forest roads, school life, and water recreation all meet.