McDowell is an unincorporated community in Barry County, in the U.S. state of Missouri.
The community is on Missouri Route VV 5 miles south of Pleasant Ridge. Missouri Route C passes the south side of the community along Little Flat Creek. Purdy is seven miles to the west along Route C.
A post office called McDowell was established in 1858, and remained in operation until 1925. The community's name honors the local McDowell family.