[5] The city is named after South American revolutionary, Simón Bolívar, and Bolivar, Tennessee.

Bolivar began as a settlement around Keeling Spring, with the majority of settlers being from Hardeman County, Tennessee.

[6] Bolivar was a full Stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail Period 1858-1861 at the old Franklin Hotel and Relay Station.

[7] Bolivar experienced growth in 1884 when the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway was extended to that point.

[8] The name "Bolivar" was proposed by John Polk Campbell and his brothers William St. Clair and Ezekiel Madison.

It is named after Bolivar, Tennessee, where their grandfather and Continental Army Colonel Ezekiel Polk had lived.

[13] Bolivar is part of the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.

The 2020 United States census[16] counted 10,679 people, 4,066 households, and 2,439 families in Bolivar.

Of all households, 34.6% consisted of individuals and 19.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

30.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[19] Southwest Baptist University, a private institution, has been in operation at Bolivar since 1879.

[22] Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Jefferson Lines.