The south side neighborhood of Park Plaza has an upscale Joplin vibe with manicured lawns and a sought-after location that features highly-rated schools, three hospitals and the medical campus of Kansas City University. "That's a sought-after area," says Clarissa Bowen, Realtor with Pro 100 Inc. and a Joplin native. "When you go through it, it's just a clean neighborhood-type feel."
Park Plaza is a quiet neighborhood in south Joplin.
Freeman Hospital East is located in the Park Plaza neighborhood.
1/2
Midcentury ranches on half-acre lots
Ranch-style homes from the '60s and '70s are located throughout the area on half-acre lots, significantly more acreage than most Joplin neighborhoods. These maintain their midcentury features, such as living room fireplaces and hardwood floors. Many properties are set back from the street on spacious front lawns with short-cut grass. Lots are also large enough for backyard decks and pools. Towering oak trees shade the yards and and streets, adding to a mature vibe. Homes are rarely available here, but in 2024, four properties sold for between $155,000 and $255,000. The fire station may cause noise on the neighborhood's west side.
Unique mid-century architecture adds to the housing variety of Park Plaza.
Park Plaza homes come in a variety of sizes and styles.
1/2
Nature exploration at Stapleton Elementary School
The neighborhood is within the boundary for Stapleton — Joplin's highest-rated elementary school with a B from Niche. In cooperation with the Missouri Conservation Department, the school has an outdoor learning habitat with a vegetable garden, weather station and geology area. Students in this area usually attend South Middle School, which gets a B-minus, and Joplin High School, which receives a C-plus. Teens can pursue industry credentials within 14 trade and career pathways at the Franklin Technology Center on the high school campus.
Students at Stapleton Elementary School go on to attend South Middle School.
Joplin High School is home to the Eagles.
1/2
Picnics by the creek at McIndoe Park
Joplin's south-side parks are oriented around nature. Wildcat Park is a nature preserve with trails, boating and fishing access along Shoal Creek. The Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center in the park features educational exhibits and naturalist-led hikes and activities. McIndoe Park is another area to access the Shoal Creek, with picnic tables overlooking the water.
Fishing is a popular past time at McIndoe Park.
Families enjoy learning about conservation at Wildcat Park.
1/2
Coffee and breakfast at Crazy Llama Coffee
With the hospitals nearby, this area has a growing commercial scene along South Main Street and 32nd Street. Walgreens and CVS are close by for pharmacy needs. Between chain restaurants such as Sonic Drive-In, Schlotzsky's sandwich shop and Tropical Smoothie Café, there are a few local options. Crazy Llama Coffee opened its second location here in 2023, serving espresso drinks and hot breakfast items. Vintage Stock sells collectibles such as DVDs, CDs and books. Grocery trips are about a 2-mile drive to Aldi and Walmart Neighborhood Market.
Park Plaza residents grab a cup of coffee at Crazy Llama Coffee.
Big box chains like CVS bring shopping options to Park Plaza.
1/2
Seasonal events at Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center
Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center celebrates the changing seasons. The center welcomes in the spring with a wildflower stroll and floral artwork projects. In the winter, kids can make natural ornaments at the Holiday Open House. Events also occur year-round in downtown Joplin, including the Empire Market, an indoor farmer's market with a different theme each Saturday.
Freeman Hospital West and Mercy Hospital are around the corner
Residents can get around the area on foot, according to Bowen. "All the streets the houses are on are low traffic, and you know where the busy part is," she says. Main Street connects to downtown Joplin, 3 miles north, and Interstate 44 leads to Springfield, about 73 miles east. Joplin Regional Airport is about 9 miles north. Patients and healthcare workers appreciate the proximity to nearby hospitals. Joplin's major healthcare facilities are concentrated in the area, including Freeman Hospital West, a 339-bed teaching hospital, and Mercy Hospital. Within the neighborhood, Freeman Hospital East is a smaller facility specializing in inpatient Alzheimer's care, kidney care, radiology and inpatient adult psychiatric care.
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
Large commercial development site, with TIF and CID approvals already in-place and approved. Property is located just north of new Mercy Hospital and I-44 interchange.
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Amanda Wells,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
436
Median Age
44
Population under 18
21.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$45,714
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$54,554
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
88.1%
College Graduates
27.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.7%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.8%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
27/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
39/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
