Van Buren is a city in and county seat of Carter County, Missouri, United States, that is the largest city in Carter County. Van Buren was founded in 1833 as the county seat of Ripley County and was named after then Vice President of the United States, Martin Van Buren. In 1859, Van Buren became a part of the newly created Carter County and was subsequently selected to be the county seat. The 2020 U.S. census showed Van Buren with a population of 747.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code63965

Area code573

Living in Van Buren

Housing in Van Buren

$185K▲ 8.5% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Van Buren home is worth about $185,000, up 8.5% in a year, 31% below the Missouri typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Van Buren

—

Not graded

Van Buren has fewer than 1,000 residents. At that size one or two incidents swing the numbers so much that a grade wouldn't be fair, so we show the counts instead.

Violent0

Property2

Reported in 20252

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Van Buren

Full picture →

About one in 5 of Van Buren’s working residents works in town. The top destinations are Poplar Bluff (10%), Doniphan (2%) and Ellsinore (1%). Half commute less than 18 miles.

Poplar Bluff

10%

Doniphan

Ellsinore

Ellington

20%Work in townlive and work in Van Buren 18 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 362Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Van Buren →

Health in Van Buren

D⁻

Health Grade D−

Healthier than 1% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates, and 39% of towns with similar incomes.

Compared with Missouri

2better than MO·20worse

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 10 are too close to call.

Conditions 9▼ 3 close Habits 1▲ 2▼ 1 close Care 1▲ 2▼ 4 close Mind 3▼ 2 close Everyday needs 4▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

12.3%Fewer binge drinkersMO 16.3% · better 82.4%More adults treating high blood pressureMO 77.2% · better 18.4%More adults with COPDMO 8% · worse

Care nearby

Poplar Bluff Regional Medical CenterPoplar Bluff · 34.9 mi · ER

Missouri Highlands Health Care - Van BurenVan Buren · 1.2 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Van Buren · CMS · HRSAHealth in Van Buren →

Natural hazards in Van Buren

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 95% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves🏚️ Earthquakes

44Does Van Buren flood?paid flood claims since 1982 6Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Van Buren

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Van Buren →

Climate in Van Buren

Full climate →

Van Buren has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 90°, a January night drops to 24°, and about 6 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

48° / 26°Winter

70° / 44°Spring

89° / 64°Summer

71° / 45°Fall

How much snow does Van Buren get?About 6 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 26, with the last in spring around Apr 9.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+0.8° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Van Buren →

Schools in Van Buren

All Van Buren schools →

School Grade C

The public schools Van Buren’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 66% of Missouri’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

DistrictVAN BUREN R-ISchools2

Van Buren Elem. BElementary · Grades PK–6 · 245 students Van Buren High C-High · Grades 7–12 · 221 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within MO. Ratings are from neighbors.