Nevada is a small, rural Midwest city with a history and a quiet lifestyle
Nevada is a rural city of 8,000 in southwest Missouri. The county seat of Vernon County, Nevada, overcame a tumultuous time during the Civil War when anti-Union guerrilla fighters known as bushwhackers fought federal forces that eventually burned the city down. Nevada rebuilt itself alongside the burgeoning railroad industry in the post-war period. Railroads still run through the town, which is also fueled by manufacturing, health care, education and retail industries. Top employers include 3M, Nevada Regional Medical Center and the ADM Biodiesel Plant. Today, Nevada offers a quiet lifestyle with plenty of places to gather for events and activities, including a quaint downtown, several parks and community centers. "It's a very easy place to live. There aren't a lot of restrictions or zoning constraints. Nevada is a typical small Midwest town where you can be a mile out of town and have a farm or have chickens and enjoy farm life with the convenience of town right there," Dana Buttorff, a Realtor with United Country American Heartland, says.
Nevada is a bustling border town that abounds with amenities.
Downtown Nevada is generally a quiet and laid back area.
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Median single-family home price less than half national median
The median single-family home price of $160,000 is far less than half the national median.
"This is the last frontier for affordable housing," Buttorff says. "You can have a 2-bedroom home for $70,000 that you could live in while you do your updates. The city's early ties to the south are reflected in a lot of southern architecture."
Ranch style homes with brick finishes are popular in Nevada.
Unique architecture brings variety to homes found in Nevada.
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Nevada Regional Technical Center teaches trades to high schoolers, adult learners
Nevada R-V School District serves almost 2,400 students and receives a C-plus from Niche. Nevada Regional Technical Center provides instruction in various trades to adults and high schoolers. St. Mary Elementary is a private Catholic school that serves pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and is not currently graded by Niche. Cottey College, an all-women's independent liberal arts and sciences college, is also in the city.
The Nevada Regional Technology Center offers vocational training for Nevada students.
Cottey College was established in Nevada in 1884.
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Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course features relaxing natural setting
Nevada has several parks, a community center and a YMCA. Parks, including Leonard Hester Park, Marmaduke Park, Izaak Walton Park and the adjacent Walton Skate Park, are clustered in the northern part of the city. Lakes and ponds are throughout the city and popular for fishing. The Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course is south of the city.
The City of Nevada Golf Course is a public course with a putting green and driving range.
The Nevada Community Center is a gathering place for residents.
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History, shopping and dining in Downtown Nevada
Two historic buildings, the only structures unscathed during the fire, accent downtown. Vernon County Courthouse, a Romanesque Revival-style building, sits in the county square steps away from The Bushwhacker Jail, a Federal-style structure. Businesses and restaurants occupy the storefronts in the blocks surrounding the square and along Austin Boulevard, also home to boutiques, consignment shops, and furniture stores. The Walmart Supercenter is two miles east of downtown.
The distinctive Vernon County Courthouse juts above the trees in downtown Nevada.
Nevada residents grab a coffee or light lunch at Precision Coffee in downtown.
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Bushwhacker Days brings residents together for summer fun
Bushwhacker Days has commemorated the area's bushwhacking history—Vernon County was known for supplying the largest number of the pro-Confederate guerrilla fighters—for over six decades. It takes place at the Vernon County Courthouse, and the town square includes parades, live music, reenactments, and children's activities.
Nevada reverberates with live music during the Bushwhacker Days Festival.
The original Bushwhacker Jail remains as a historical landmark in downtown Nevada.
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Interstate 49 goes north to Kansas City and south to Joplin
Nevada is a car-dependent city with several nearby major highways. Interstate 49 runs north and south, offering a straight shot into downtown Kansas City 95 miles north and Joplin 65 miles south. U.S. Highway 54 takes travelers east, connecting to Route 13 to Springfield, 95 miles southeast. Air travelers must commute to those cities, with Kansas City International Airport offering the largest selection of flights.
Important to know
Vernon County experiences tornadoes about every two years, the last one occurring in 2003. Ice storms, severe thunderstorms and flooding are also common. Several areas in Nevada are more prone to flooding, including along Willow Branch, leading from Katy Allen Lake to Postlethwaite Park and the area surrounding Radio Springs Parkmore. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Criminal Justice Information Services, violent crime increased slightly from 2022 to 2023. During the same period, property crime was up in several categories but down in arson and larceny.
Written By
Lia Jones
Photography Contributed By
Kenyon Gerbrandt
Video By
Jason Jacot
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Nevada, MO sell after 91 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Nevada, MO over the last 12 months is $180,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nestled on a generous rural lot, this meticulously maintained brick home features an attached two-car garage and a large separate outbuilding, perfect for storage or a workshop.Inside, a bright, functional interior awaits. The spacious entry hall boasts gleaming hardwood floors and an elegant front door. The open-concept living area seamlessly connects the gourmet kitchen, dining space,
FOR AUCTION: Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Noon. Discover unparalleled luxury and comfort in this stunning 6-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom estate, encompassing ±8 acres of prime real estate. Meticulously designed for both grand entertaining and serene living, this residence offers a lifestyle of distinction.Step into the culinary heart of the home, a chef-inspired kitchen where natural light
This rare opportunity could be your dream come true! Just outside of the city, your driveway leads past your beautiful pond with the 2 geese that live there to your full brick 2 bed, 2 bath home with a 2 car shop/garage.More info and full pics to come prior to ACTIVE date.
Presenting Lot 4 in the sought-after Deer Run Estates, this .42-acre parcel is the perfect canvas for your dream home. Located directly next to Lot 2, this prime lot offers a serene setting while still being conveniently situated within city limits, just minutes away from a variety of amenities and services. With dimensions that provide ample space for a spacious single-family home, Lot 4 is
Discover the perfect opportunity to build your dream home on this spacious .42-acre lot located in the desirable Deer Run Estates. Nestled within city limits, this parcel offers the ideal blend of tranquility and convenience—just minutes away from shopping, dining, and local amenities. Featuring generous dimensions of 130 x 139.5 feet, Lot 2 is equipped with essential utilities, including curb
Welcome to Ash Place, located in the city of Nevada, Missouri. Ash Place is a Senior Community with an abundance of apartment and community amenities. We are located near grocery stores, pharmacies, banks, restaurants and doctor’s offices. The surrounding community provides modern conveniences designed to complement your lifestyle. To learn more about our apartment community please contact us.
Charming 2-bedroom, 2-bath home with a spacious loft area—perfect for a home office, hobby space, or potential non-conforming 3rd bedroom. This 1.5-story traditional home offers classic wood floors, a formal dining room, living room, family room, and a bright, inviting study with lots of natural light. Ample storage space throughout adds to the home's functionality. Partial Basement and Potting
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