Fair Grove is located about 14 miles (23 km) north of Springfield, Missouri on Highway 65. The 2000 census counted 1,107 citizens. MODOT is improving four lane Highway 65 south to Springfield, connecting with 4 lanes south to Branson and Buffalo, MO. As of the census of 2000, there were 1,107 people, 405 households, and 309 families residing in the city. The population density was 357.1 people per square mile (137.9/km²). There were 421 housing units at an average density of 135.8/sq mi (52.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.19% White, 0.18% Native American, 0.18% Asian, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.36% of the population.
There were 405 households out of which 43.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.5% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.5% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the city the population was spread out with 31.7% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,761, and the median income for a family was $41,167. Males had a median income of $30,688 versus $21,447 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,765. About 6.4% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.1% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.