Joplin neighborhood with convenient shopping and affordable homes
The Joplin neighborhood of Murphy and Leffen, less than a mile from the city’s growing downtown, offers locals a walkable neighborhood with residential pockets, convenient shopping and a selection of relatively low-priced single-family homes. "The houses are pretty reasonable — it has the smaller size and price range many people are looking for," says Clarissa Bowen, Realtor with Pro 100 Realtors and Joplin native.
The Murphy and Leffen neighborhood is bordered by an active railroad along it's southern boundary.
The Murphy and Leffen neighborhood sits in the shadow of downtown Joplin.
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Smaller bungalows and Minimal Traditionals
Despite its location on Seventh Street, the neighborhood has a quiet residential feel with a collection of smaller single-family homes. Bungalows and Minimal Traditionals here average around 1,000 square feet and often have front porches. Many of these have been renovated since their midcentury beginnings. "A lot of them are older but getting updated," Bowen says. "The two I sold in the area were completely updated inside with new flooring and kitchens." Prices range from about 100,000 to $140,000. Grassy front yards are well maintained, with enough space to lay out a picnic blanket. Mature trees add to the established vibe and help buffer sound from nearby train tracks and local traffic.
Some homes in Murphy and Leffen have large trees providing shade.
Small bungalows make up the majority of home styles in Murphy and Leffen.
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Walking trails at the Campbell Parkway
Green space is walkable from the neighborhood. Campbell Parkway borders the south side, offering two gravel trails for walking and running. Joplin also celebrates the holidays with a Christmas light display in December. Just north, Ewert Park is a longtime Joplin green space undergoing renovations for a new splash park, basketball court, amphitheater and interpretive signage.
Residents enjoy walking the trails throughout Murphy Boulevard Park.
Joplin Skate Park attracts skaters to Ewert Park.
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Joplin shows up for high school varsity football
Students may follow one of two pipelines through the Joplin School District. Students on the neighborhood's west side typically attend Dover Hill Elementary, which opened in 2023 and doesn't yet have a Niche score, and North Middle, which gets a B-minus. Students on the east side can attend Eastmorland Elementary and East Middle, earning C-plus grades. The C-plus-rated Joplin High School is open to all ninth through twelfth graders in town. The Joplin High School varsity football team draws a crowd for Friday night football games at the Dewey Combs Athletic Complex.
There is a sign for Dover Hills Elementary near the main road.
Eastmorland Elementary School has an average enrollment of around 250 students.
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Food Network-featured eats at Hungry Monkey
Auto dealers, car service centers, shops and restaurants are centered on Seventh Street. Walmart Neighborhood Market is a popular stop for groceries within the neighborhood. Wings N More is a nearby stop for Chinese food and chicken wings for dine-in, take-out or delivery. With a growing slate of small businesses, Downtown Joplin is one of the city's shopping and dining hubs. Hungry Monkey specializes in Hawaiian fusion, such as poke bowls and seafood tacos. In 2024, it was featured on Guy Fieri's Food Network show "Best Bite in Town."
Murphy and Leffen is home to a Walmart Neighborhood Market.
Hackett Hot Wings draws Murphy and Leffen residents to downtown Joplin.
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Street fests and networking events in downtown Joplin
The neighborhood's central location makes it convenient for downtown events and entertainment. The Third Thursday street festival features vendors and live music along Main Street each month. First Friday WineShare provides a monthly networking opportunity, inviting individuals to chat over a glass of wine at different downtown businesses.
Murphy and Leffen residents gather to try out local flavors at Third Thursday.
Murphy and Leffen residents check out the local art scene during the First Thursday ArtWalk in downtown Joplin.
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Getting around on foot and the Sunshine Lamp Trolley
Residents can accomplish some errands on foot, earning this area a higher-than-average Walk Score. While there are few sidewalks, dead-end streets help minimize traffic through the area. Seventh Street is Joplin's primary east-west route, connecting to Interstate 44. Residents also utilize Joplin's Sunshine Lamp Trolley blue route to get around town. In case of emergency, Freeman Hospital West has a Level II trauma center about 4 miles south. Joplin Regional Airport is 6 miles north.
Elevated crime and tornado risks
Murphy and Leffen has a CAP Index crime score of 6 out of 10, compared with the national average of 4. The Joplin Police Department oversees a Crime Free Team, focusing on crime prevention at local businesses and multi-housing facilities. Tornadoes are another consideration in Joplin, which experiences extreme weather events most frequently between April and June.
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Murphy and Leffen neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Murphy and Leffen
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
6
4
Assault with Weapon
7
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
6
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
6
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
9
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Murphy and Leffen Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Murphy and Leffen, Joplin sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days.
Housing Trends
Last 12 months Home Sales
4
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes
67
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1938
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,066
Significantly below the national average
1,931
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Rental Home Trends
Number of Homes for Rent
1
Median Rent
$650
Median Single Family Home Rent
$650
Demographics
Total Population
232
Median Age
30
Population under 18
26.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.1%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$31,111
Significantly below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$31,236
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
83.7%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
7.5%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
0%
% Population in Labor Force
62%
Area Factors
Fairly friendly
Bike Score®
50/ 100
Fairly friendly
Walk Score®
50/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
