Clever, Missouri

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Clever is a small city in Christian County, Missouri, on the Springfield Plateau of the Ozarks. It sits about 14 miles southwest of Springfield along Missouri Route 14, between Nixa and Billings, and is part of the Springfield metropolitan area. The town’s elevation is about 1,398 feet.

History and growth
The area was settled in the 1800s, with the town developing at a crossroads along Old Wire Road. The first store opened around 1894, and the post office began in 1896. Residents chose the name Clever after a survey showed the community’s people were friendly and wise. Clever grew with the railroad in the early 1900s and incorporated as a city in 1909. Early culture included traveling Chautauqua events and visits from famous performers. For many decades the population stayed small, but it grew rapidly from the 1990s into the 2010s, reaching about 2,139 people in 2010 and around 2,900 by 2020. In 2003, a tornado caused damage near the town.

Today
Clever covers a little over one square mile and has a mayor and four aldermen who serve two-year terms. The city has a small police department, and fire protection comes from the volunteer Clever Fire Protection District.

Education
The Clever R-V school district serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade for Clever and surrounding rural areas. In the 2010–11 school year, about 1,100 students attended the district.

Demographics
In 2010 Clever had about 2,139 residents, mostly White, with a mix of households including many families with children. The median age was in the late 20s, and the community had a range of ages from children to seniors.