Nevada, a small rural city in southwest Missouri with a population of 8,000, serves as the county seat of Vernon County. The city has a rich history, having been rebuilt after being burned during the Civil War. It developed alongside the railroad industry and is now supported by manufacturing, health care, education, and retail sectors, with major employers like 3M, Nevada Regional Medical Center, and the ADM Biodiesel Plant. Nevada offers a quiet lifestyle with a quaint downtown, several parks, and community centers. The median single-family home price is $160,000, reflecting affordable housing options. The city's architecture includes southern styles, and residents can enjoy farm life just a mile out of town. Educational institutions include the Nevada R-V School District, Nevada Regional Technical Center, and Cottey College. Parks such as Leonard Hester Park, Marmaduke Park, and Izaak Walton Park provide recreational spaces, while the Frank E. Peters Municipal Golf Course offers a relaxing natural setting. Downtown Nevada features historic buildings like the Vernon County Courthouse and The Bushwhacker Jail, along with shopping and dining options. Bushwhacker Days is a notable event celebrating local history with parades, live music, and reenactments. Nevada is car-dependent, with Interstate 49 connecting it to Kansas City and Joplin. The area experiences tornadoes, ice storms, severe thunderstorms, and flooding, with some areas more prone to flooding.
