Joplin, Missouri, is a commercial, cultural and medical hub in the Four States area. Founded as a mining town, entrepreneurs earned fortunes living in the lead and zinc capital of the world at the turn of the 20th century. Today, a low cost of living, a thriving retail scene and the new Kansas City University medical school are drawing in new residents. Still, this city of 53,000 retains neighborly familiarity. "It has a small-town feel, but with the same amenities you would get in a bigger town," says Regina Lehmann, a Realtor at Show-Me Real Estate and Joplin resident. "You still have all the restaurants, and it's friendly — you'll run into people you know all the time."
Joplin's recent history is a tale of resilience and rebuilding. An EF5 tornado in 2011 reshaped the landscape, killing 161 people and destroying or damaging around 8,000 buildings. New neighborhoods, businesses, parks and school campuses took root in the recovery process, helping the city spring back. At the same time, Joplin works to preserve its history in the revitalizing downtown, as community leaders restore historic buildings while welcoming new shops, restaurants and loft apartments.
Downtown Joplin grew between Joplin Creek and the historic Route 66 highway.
Mercy hospital is located by Southridge.
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New construction and updated Victorians
Joplin blends modern and older architecture with new construction, sitting next to 20th-century Victorians. There is a stark contrast between mature neighborhoods with swathes of fully-grown trees and rebuilt neighborhoods stripped of greenery by the tornado. Throughout the city, there is an emphasis on restoring old homes. The city supported that effort in 2024 with the Joplin Homeowner Rehabilitation Program, which provided grants to qualifying homeowners. Joplin's median single-family home price is $195,000, compared to Springfield's $265,000 and the U.S.'s $429,000. "I see a lot of people pick this area because they see the price and say, 'I can afford that,'" Lehmann says.
The city has 90 distinct neighborhoods filled with single-family homes. Historic districts are in the center of town, where the city first sprouted. Historic Murphysburg is one of the original neighborhoods with stately Queen Anne, Tudor and Prairie-style estates. In northeast Joplin, College Skyline is a quiet neighborhood with Tudor, Cape Cod and ranch-style homes from the 1970s through the 1990s. North Heights has updated American Foursquares, Tudors and bungalows and a community group that hosts the annual PorchFest music festival.
Arbor Hills includes some of Joplin's largest mansions.
Some of the Murphysburg homes have beautiful stone fencing.
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New shops and restaurants in Downtown Joplin and Rangeline Road
Downtown Joplin and Rangeline Road are Joplin's two commercial centers. Downtown Joplin, also called the Sunshine Lamp District for the headlamps that the city's miners used to wear, welcomes new shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment options in its historic brick buildings. "Everyone pours into the Joplin restaurants on Friday nights," Lehmann says. "It's a good place to own a restaurant because anything that opens here, people try it out." Club 609 is a casual fine dining spot serving chicken, pasta and seafood entrees under the string lights. The Main Street Axe Company lets patrons enjoy a brew alongside arcade games and axe throwing. New downtown apartments have created more housing units for residents who want to be near the center of all the action.
On the east side of town, Rangeline Road is lined with national big-box stores, sit-down chain restaurants, fast-food joints and a few local spots. Residents travel from across town to grab supplies at Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe's and Sam's Club. On the city's south side, Woodsonia Real Estate is planning a $200 million project that has already brought a new Menards. The largest mixed-use development in the area since the tornado will include 250 new multifamily units and a new movie theater.
Main Street Axe Company is a popular meet up spot in Downtown Joplin.
There are several Mexican restaurants throughout Southridge.
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Walking trails and Christmas trees at Mercy Park
Joplin's 22 city parks have playgrounds, picnic shelters and paved walkways. "On any given day in the spring, summer and fall, there are probably 10 birthday parties spread out throughout the parks," Lehmann says. Schifferdecker Park is one of Joplin's largest green spaces. It has an aquatic center, skate park, and golf course. Most of the town's recreational and organized sports are held on the fields and courts at the Joplin Athletic Complex at Schifferdecker.
After the tornado, Mercy Park was built on the south side of town on the former St. John's Hospital site. It's a passive park with walking trails that get decked out for the holidays. "You'll pass friends and neighbors enjoying the Christmas trees, and you get that old Christmas movie feeling," Lehmann says. Parks projects are in the works. Ewert Park, a green space with a long history in town, is getting an upgrade. The renovations include a new splash park, playground, basketball court and amphitheater.
Colorful murals add to the beauty of Mercy Park.
The memorials at Cunningham Park detail the tragedy and triumph of the 2011 Joplin tornado.
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Missouri Southern State University calls Joplin home
Joplin Schools earns an overall B-minus from Niche. In 2024, it opened free preschool classes at three elementary schools, including bus services and breakfast and lunch for kids. The B-rated Stapleton Elementary School earns the highest grade among the district's 10 elementary schools. The school's nature center provides a space for hands-on science lessons outdoors. Students can attend three middle schools and one high school. Joplin High School, which was in the tornado path, opened its new campus in 2014. The school will introduce five career academies for the 2025 school year, allowing students to earn Industry Recognized Credentials and early college credits.
Missouri Southern State University is a public, four-year college in town offering 140 degree programs for associate, bachelor's and master's students. Kansas City University opened its College of Osteopathic Medicine here in 2017 and the College of Dental Medicine in 2023. MSSU partners with KCU to offer an early acceptance program where select students are informed of their acceptance into medical school during their first undergraduate year at MSSU.
Joplin High School is located in south central Joplin.
Joplin North Middle School students go on to attend Joplin High School.
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Downtown Joplin comes to life at Third Thursday
Joplin's art, entertainment and events have grown along with the city. The Harry M. Cornell Arts and Entertainment Complex opened in 2022 at the hands of two Joplin nonprofits, bringing the city's performing and visual arts together in one place. The Spiva Center for the Arts takes charge of art galleries, while Connect2Culture hosts live theater, music and touring acts. Downtown Joplin Alliance is a local nonprofit focused on downtown revitalization and conducts regular events. Their signature event, Third Thursday, brings thousands of people to Main Street to peruse vendors, grab a bite from a food truck and enjoy live music.
The Cornell Complex is a hub of art and theater in Downtown Joplin.
Enjoy the lights at the annual Tree Trail by Murphysburg.
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Easy commutes from the Crossroads of America
Sitting at the intersection of Route 66 and State Highway 43, Joplin is often called the "Crossroads of America." It's the meeting point between Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, making it a hub for travel and trade. Trucking is a major industry in the city. Interstate 44 runs through the center of Joplin, a main part of the city’s grid layout, and connects to Springfield, 71 miles east. While Joplin paused its Sunshine Lamp Trolley bus services in 2022 due to a staffing shortage, it will resume in February 2025, offering three different routes around town. Joplin Regional Airport has direct flights to Denver and Chicago on United Airlines. Two of the largest employers in town, Freeman Hospital West and Mercy Health provide 24-hour emergency care facilities.
Crime and tornado considerations
According to FBI data, in the past five years, Joplin’s violent and property crime rates were higher than state and national averages. However, according to Joplin Police Department data, violent and property crime rates decreased from 2019 through 2022. The department engages with Joplin residents through Coffee with the Chief and neighborhood block parties. The Crime Free team focuses on reducing crime at apartment complexes in the area.
Joplin is situated within Tornado Alley and is at risk for severe weather events, especially from March to June. After the 2011 tornado, the city updated its building codes to require stricter standards. Many residents have built backyard storm shelters, while several elementary schools have community safe rooms available to residents close to the school buildings.
Written By
Liz Coughlin
Photography Contributed By
Kenyon Gerbrandt
Video By
Amon Parson
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Joplin, MO sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Joplin, MO over the last 12 months is $158,950, up 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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