Branson Residential

ECONOMIC

mapThe primary economic influence for the area is the tourism industry with its nearly seven million annual visitors to the Tri-Lakes area. The primary draw for tourists continues to be the lakes area with its extensive forests and high quality water in the lakes and streams that provide excellent hunting, fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. Our estimates indicate that nearly eight million tourists will visit the area in 2010.

Branson Map

HOME PRICES

There are a variety of home types to choose from, primarily centered around Branson and Table Rock Lake. Condominiums and manufactured housing are present in certain areas, while the majority of homes are of stick built construction ranging in an average age of two to 20 years old. The pie chart below indicates that a majority (66%) of the homes sold over the last year were under $150,000 in price. An example of this price category is a recently sold new construction. This home was a 3-Bedroom 2-Bath with over 1200 square feet. It had a 2-Car garage and was located 5-10 minutes from the schools and employment base at $119,900.

branson mo home price distribution pic

THEME PARKS

Several theme parks also attract tourists to the area. Some of the main attractions are Silver Dollar City, Shepherd of the Hills Farm, White Water, the Branson Belle Riverboat, and Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede.

SHOPPING

Additionally, factory outlet malls have been developed to offer bargains to the visiting tourists. The first to open was Factory Merchants Mall in the late 1980s and is southern Missouri’s largest outlet center. It recently expanded in 1995 to over 90 shops with 325,000 square feet in 15 buildings on 20 acres. Tanger Factory Outlet Center opened in April of 1995 with 243,575 square feet of shopping under one roof with over 50 stores. A third factory outlet mall, Factory Stores of America, opened in the Fall of 1995 with 50 stores planned with 300,000 square feet in two buildings.

Additionally, Wal-Mart has two stores. The first, anchoring the Branson Mall has proven to be one of the most profitable stores in the nation-wide chain. Because of the Branson store’s record setting sales, a Wal-Mart Supercenter was constructed 15 miles west in Branson West in late 1994. K-Mart also entered the prosperous Branson market in late 1994 with the construction of Cedar Ridge Shopping Center.

In 2006 the city unveiled its newest private-public development on the downtown lakefront, The Branson Landing. A mixture of retail, restaurant and condominiums anchored by Bass Pro & Belk surrounds this lakefront boardwalk. A convention center was completed in 2007.

CRAFTS

Although the factory outlet centers and national chains are relatively new to the area, shops featuring local arts and crafts have operated successfully in the Tri-Lakes area for years. Hundreds of local artisans make and sell the fruits of their labor-paintings, sculptures, jewelry, stained and blown glass, quilts, woodcarvings, weavings, dolls, clocks, handmade clothes, candy, and musical instruments. The Engler Block and the Apple Tree Mall have become giant arts-and-crafts malls, while the theme parks also feature the work of the local artisans. Finally, craft shops and art galleries are widely scattered throughout the area along with numerous antique shops, collectible stores, and flea markets.

MUSIC SHOWS

However, in recent years the ever-growing number of live music shows has collectively become the major draw to expand the area’s attractiveness on a national scope. Most of the music shows are located along the Branson strip, a five-mile long section of Missouri State Highway 76, which has been heavily developed with music theaters, shops, motels, and restaurants that cater to the tourism industry.