[4] Bowling Green was settled in 1819, and designated county seat in 1824.

[6][7] The James Beauchamp Clark House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

US 54 links Bowling Green with Illinois to the east and Jefferson City and the Lake of the Ozarks to the south and west, while US 61 connects the city with Hannibal to the north and the St. Louis area to the south.

There were 1,474 housing units at an average density of 548.0 per square mile (211.6/km2).

31.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,420 housing units at an average density of 730.5 per square mile (282.0/km2).

32.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

[15] Burlington Trailways provides intercity bus service to the city on a route between Cedar Rapids and St.