Bates City, Missouri
City · Population 230 · #631 in Missouri
About Bates City
Set in the western part of Missouri, Bates City is a tiny community counting 230 people who proudly call it home.
Bates City holds the status of an incorporated city with its own municipal government. The community covers 1.08 square miles, giving it wide-open spaces and a spread-out, rural feel at roughly 213 residents per square mile.
📰 Bates City News Today
- Bates City, Missouri, currently without a police department FOX4KC.com · Jun 8
- Carol Jean Anderson Obituary (2026) - Bates City, MO - Speaks Suburban Chapel Legacy obituary · May 2
- Westbound I-70 back open near Bates City, Missouri, after deadly crash Tuesday KSHB 41 Kansas City · Jun 9
- Neil Simmons Obituary May 31, 2026 Park Lawn Funeral Homes · May 31
- Bates City, Missouri, currently without a police department – FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports FOX4KC.com · Jun 8
Live headlines via Google News — updates through the day.
What Makes Bates City Unique
- The only place in America named Bates City — a truly one-of-a-kind name among 32,000+ US communities.
- Positioned in western Missouri, convenient to the region's corridors and crossings.
- Part of the fabric of Missouri — one of 1,082 recognized communities statewide.
Why People Love It Here
- A tight community feel that bigger cities can't replicate.
- Cost of living typically runs below the big-metro average.
- Well connected: 3+ neighboring communities within 7 miles.
🍽️ Where to Eat in Bates City
- Bates City BBQ — barbecue
- Bates City Cafe — american
- Godfather's Pizza — pizza
Local spots mapped by the OpenStreetMap community.
🏞️ Parks & Outdoors in Bates City
- Ferguson-Herold Conservation Area · Nature reserve reviews ★
Parks mapped by the OpenStreetMap community · "reviews" opens each park's live Google reviews.
⚡ Quick Facts
StateMissouri
TypeCity
Population (2024)230
Rank in state#631 of 938
Land area1.08 sq mi
Density213/sq mi
Coordinates39.0039, -94.0634