Lawson straddles both Ray and Clay counties and the city has realized steady population growth through the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. There has been a residential building boom in the late 1990's which continues today.

Lawson began the decade with hopes of continued growth and progress. A new high school and community library have been constructed. The Middle School and Southwest Elementary School buildings have been also been expanded and upgraded. In 2004, a new commons area and additional classrooms were added to the Middle School.

The city water system was improved in 1990 providing additional storage, distribution and fire protection and the city just completed another another water expansion project in 2003 to obtain an additional source of water from the City of Excelsior Springs. The Hidden Valley Golf Course, a public 18-hole golf course, was opened in 1995.

Library hours (open to the public): Monday         8:15 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Tuesday         8:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday    8:15 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Thursday        8:15 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday            8:15 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Saturday        10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lawson Library
A unique feature of the Lawson High School building is the T.D. and Helen Risley Williamson Memorial Library. The library is a cooperative venture between the school district, the City of Lawson, and the Ray County Library Board. The library features 4,500 square feet of floor space, a computer lab, a children's reading area, an adult reading area, audio visual equipment and resource materials. The City of Lawson received a $200,000 bequeath from the estate of Helen Risley Williamson to use to construct a library building. The city council entered into an agreement with the school district to use that money to expand the proposed Lawson high school library and construct it as a community library. This unique venture has given Lawson a community library unlike any other in the area.

  Recreation
Lawson has a 10 acre city lake which is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation. The lake area features a boat ramp, two shelter houses and a two mile paved walking trail. The city is currently seeking a grant to resurface the walk trail and has plans to add camping sites at the lake. The Lawson Youth Athletic Association is developing a baseball field complex at the Clark Street Recreation Site through the support of the community.

Watkins Woolen Mill State Park & Historic Site
Watkins Woolen Mill is located about four miles west of Lawson, off Route MM. Before Lawson was an incorporated town, the land was part of the Waltus Watkins Bethany Plantation. The Watkins Woolen Mill State Park and Historic Site provides the ultimate in outdoor recreation at the 1,000 acre site. The State Park offers over 100 campsites, many with electrical hookups. There are two bath houses, picnic areas, a scout camp, a paved four and one-half mile trail for hikers, walkers, joggers and bicyclists, a 100 acre lake, and a swimming beach. The historic site features a mid-19th century woolen factory with the original equipment intact. The state recently discontinued the admission fee to the museum and the grounds of the Watkins Mill Historic Site. There is a fee for guided tours of the house and mill. Watkins Mill is a National Landmark and a National Mechanical Engineer Landmark. It is also a Clay County Historic Site and is located just east of the Jesse James family farm.

Churches
Canaan Hill Church of the Nazarene -- East of Lawson
Old Union Christian Union Church-- Located on Route C
Church of Christ -- Raum Street
Lawson United Methodist -- 5th and Pennsylvania
United Christian and Presbyterian -- 4th and Ingles
Lawson Baptist -- 3rd and Ingles
Lawson Assembly of God -- Sixth Street / Route D
Beacon Baptist -- Route B, east of Lawson
Community Alliance Bible Church -- Sixth Street Route D
Country Meadows Chapel -- 7 miles NE of Lawson on Route BB
Living Word Church -- Route D
Elmira Baptist Church