South Joplin neighborhood with new homes and renewed community spirit
Soaring Heights is a south Joplin neighborhood best known as the home of Joplin High School, the city's only school for ninth through 12th graders. This residential neighborhood and the high school were destroyed by the EF5 tornado that tore through the town in May of 2011. After over a decade of reconstruction, this is a quiet area with new homes within walking distance of the new school campus. As the homes returned, so too did the community spirit. "Before the tornado, almost every house was passing out candy for Halloween, and you saw kids all over the place," says Rob Bassett, a longtime Soaring Heights resident. "As the years have gone by, more people have gotten involved with stuff as far as holidays."
Joplin High School was rebuilt after the 2011 tornado.
Soaring Heights is home to the Joplin High School campus.
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New Tudors, Cape Cods and bungalows
Single-family homes surround the west and south sides of the school. The tornado uprooted trees and turned this once-shady area into an open landscape. New development has brought lush lawns and the occasional young tree or shrubbery. Modern Tudors, Cape Cods, bungalows and shotgun-style houses date from 2011 through today. These average around 1,360 square feet and often have stainless steel kitchen appliances and open-concept layouts. The development continues as new homes are still being added. Prices range from $200,000 to $230,000. New roads and sidewalks connect to the high school on the neighborhood's east side.
Symmetrical bungalows add uniqueness to the Soaring Heights neighborhood.
The homes of Soaring Heights occupy smaller lots and sit tightly together.
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Date night dinner at Finn's
Rangeline Road, Joplin's main commercial area, is about 2 miles east. This retail and restaurant corridor has big box stores such as Home Depot and Walmart Supercenter and grocery stores such as Aldi and Food 4 Less. The dining scene ranges from fast-food drive-throughs to casual chain restaurants to local favorites. Palm trees and a tiki bar create a beachy vibe at El Vallarta, with a large menu of Mexican classics such as tostadas, enchiladas and fajitas. Finn's offers an upscale experience with a candle-lit dinner by the fireplace, serving seafood, beef, chicken and pasta dishes. Dollar General is a nearby stop for a pantry refill about a mile south.
Finn's is a local favorite just outside Soaring Heights.
Food 4 Less is one of a number of convenient shopping options for Rosedale residents.
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Career academies are coming to Joplin High
The Joplin School District assigns students to specific elementary and middle schools based on address. Joplin High is the district's only high school, earning a C-plus from Niche. In August 2025, the school will launch career academies, inviting students to earn Industry Recognized Credentials or take Dual Credit classes in their desired pathways. Students can explore those pathways in their freshman year. "My kids went to the high school — it was very convenient being across the street," Bassett says. Soaring Heights students typically start their kindergarten through 12th-grade journey at Irving Elementary School and South Middle School. Both earn overall B-minus grades. This neighborhood is popular with students at Kansas City University's Joplin medical school campus, about a mile west.
There are many activities available at Irving Elementary School.
Soaring Heights residents have a short drive to the Kansas City University campus.
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Friday night lights at Junge Field
Joplin comes together to support Joplin High School football in the fall. The varsity team draws a crowd for Friday night football games at Junge Field in the Dewey Combs Athletic Complex, about 2 miles northwest. The complex was built in 1933 and renovated in 2014 to include a FEMA shelter, locker rooms, a training room and a hospitality area for game nights. The junior varsity team plays at the high school on Monday nights. Downtown Joplin, meanwhile, hosts regular events such as Third Thursday, bringing about 5,000 visitors and 100 vendors together for a monthly downtown block party.
Nearby medical services at Freeman Hospital West
Driving may be necessary to get around town, as Joplin doesn't have public transportation or bike lanes. Soaring Heights has access to Joplin's major roadways, with Main Street on the neighborhood’s west side leading north to downtown. Bordering the north side, 20th Street leads east to shopping and dining on Rangeline. Freeman Hospital West, Joplin's main hospital, is about 2 miles southwest. It has a Level II trauma center open at all hours. Joplin Regional Airport is about 8 miles north, operating direct flights to Denver and Chicago.
Little League practice at Sunny Jim Park
Kid-friendly parks are nearby, like Garvin Park, a 2-acre outdoor space just south of Soaring Heights anchored by a towering flower statue. Kids can play on the playground, swing sets and climbing ropes while parents supervise them from the picnic pavilions. Residents also make use of walking paths around the high school. "Everyone in this neighborhood walks their dogs around the high school," Bassett says. Sunny Jim Park, just north, has been home to Joplin Little League since 1951. Community partners helped to rebuild the park shortly after the tornado. Today, the lights are on again for games and practices. In 2023, the city added a pedestrian crosswalk on 20th Street between this park and Soaring Heights. Further northeast, Parr Hill Park offers various ways to play, including a splash pad, playground, fitness equipment and a bone-shaped dog park.
Sunny Jim Park is the home to Joplin's Little League.
Kids love to enjoy the swing set at Garvin Park.
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Tornadoes are a possibility in spring and summer
Joplin and Soaring Heights are within Tornado Alley. Severe weather events are a possibility, especially between April and May. The Joplin tornado in 2011 still ranks as the seventh deadliest tornado in U.S. history, killing 161 people and destroying or damaging around 8,000 structures. Joplin High School students, staff, and surrounding residents can use the school's community safe room in the case of a tornado.
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
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Parks in this Area
Garvin Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Soaring Heights
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
4
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Soaring Heights Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Soaring Heights, Joplin sell after 16 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Soaring Heights, Joplin over the last 12 months is $207,750, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
1.02 Acres of Commercial Development Land on South Main in Joplin, Mo. Located directly north of newly built Casey's Convenience Store. 400 feet of South Main frontage. 2401 - 2419 - 2423 - 2427 S Main - Hard corners on 2401 and 2427 - Clean environmental report on file
Great building lots in south Joplin. Purchase both lots together, as listed, or they could be sold separately. They've already been cleared ready to build on.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nicholas Sanders,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
810
Median Age
31
Population under 18
32.5%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.5%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$53,437
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$51,068
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
92.2%
College Graduates
20.6%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.6%
% Population in Labor Force
73.9%
Above the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
45/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
62/ 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.
