Joplin
Missouri
City Of Joplin
Vision Statement:
Joplin, a regional center at the crossroads of America, where a prosperous and diversified economy joins with hometown values to create a continually enhanced quality.
Mission Statement:
The City of Joplin will provide efficient delivery of quality services in the areas of public safety, health and environment, community and economic development, leisure activities, and infrastructure needs for people living, visiting or doing business in Joplin. It is our goal to design services in response to existing and emerging needs of customers. We are committed to providing clearly superior services to the community, leaving a lasting impression of professionalism and excellence. We pledge, as a team, to build on our rich heritage while creatively planning our future to ensure the expected quality of life in Joplin and the surrounding area.
About the City:
Joplin is located in southwest Missouri in the "four states" region encompassing Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. At the edge of the Ozark Mountain region, Joplin has a current population of 49,024. The daytime population swells to 270,000 while the population within a 40-mile radius of Joplin is 400,000, making it Missouri's fourth largest metropolitan area. Joplin combines the beauty and hospitality of country living with the convenience and commerce of city vitality.
Incorporated in 1873, the City of Joplin is a full-service municipality. It operates under the Council-Manager form of government and has approximately 400 employees delivering a variety of services to the regional community.
Joplin is readily accessible to eight major lakes, numerous clear-water streams, and a number of entertainment and vacation attractions. Located at the crossroads of Interstate Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 71, Joplin serves as the commercial, cultural, financial, educational, medical, recreational and transportation center of a 5,000 square-mile area. Joplin's regional airport provides ready access to major transportation centers and is served by Great Lakes Air to Kansas City, MO.
Joplin's lively interest in cultural activities includes history, arts, concerts, theater and dance. George A. Spiva Center for the Arts features a continuous rotation of famous exhibits, a regional focus gallery, and art instruction for both children and adults. Joplin Little Theater, the oldest continuous community theater west of the Mississippi, allows a creative outlet for local residents. In addition, local colleges and universities offer various cultural opportunities, including the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition. Joplin's Memorial Hall is also a popular venue for concerts and other entertainment events.
A diverse and brisk economy supports the needs of industry in this rapidly growing region. The local economy realizes $220 million direct income each year from tourism which is supported by more than 2,000 hotel rooms and 150 restaurants. In addition to excellent schools, churches, and community activities, Joplin offers a cost of living that is among the most desirable of any city of its size in the country. ACCRA (American Chamber of Commerce Researchers' Association) currently computes cost of living in Joplin to be 81.6% of the national average for metropolitan areas (Q1-2007). For residential housing, Joplin offers one of best values in the United States. The average value of existing homes in the area is $72,540. New three-bedroom homes typically range from $70,000 to $105,000.
There are several institutions of higher education located in Joplin including Missouri Southern State University, which had a Spring 2004 enrollment of 6,500 plus full-time and part-time students. Other institutions include Ozark Christian College, Messenger College, Vatterott College and the Franklin Technology Center.
Health care providers and related businesses are among the major employers in the area. There are more than 300 physicians and surgeons and over 100 dentists located in Joplin. Providing emergency medical services to residents of the area are St. John's Regional Medical Center and Freeman Health System. Combined, the hospitals have nearly 750 beds. St. John's and Freeman hospitals both operate Level II Trauma Centers.
Recent News
City Of Joplin News Parks And Rec Hosts A Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt On March 31, 2023
The Joplin Parks and Recreation Department has added a twist to the traditional egg hunt… hunting in the DARK! Children ages 3-10 are invited to hop on over to the Gene Bassman Softball Complex, located within the Joplin Athletic Complex, and…
Read More »City Of Joplin News : Registration Now Open for Little Kickers Soccer with Joplin Parks And Recreation
Joplin Parks & Recreation is offering introductory sport programs for preschoolers this spring at the Joplin Athletic Complex. Little Kickers Soccer is designed to introduce preschoolers to the sport of soccer. The program begins the week of…
Read More »City Of Joplin News : Joplin Parks And Recreation Offers Adult Sport Leagues This Spring
Registration is now open for the Joplin Parks and Recreation adult recreational sport leagues. Adults looking to get outside and have some fun this spring are encouraged to register for the Adult Softball and/or Soccer Leagues held at the Joplin…
Read More »City Of Joplin News : Kindergarten Immunizations Now Available Throughjoplin Health Department
Now is the perfect time to get your “little eagle” or other Joplin school kindergartener prepared for school! Pre-Enrollment started on February 6 and Joplin Health Department staff are here to help. -We will immunize children who…
Read More »City Of Joplin News Joplin Parks And Recreation Presents Daddy DaughterDate Night
Tickets are now on sale for the 23rd annual Daddy Daughter Date Night hosted by the Joplin Parks and Recreation Department. This year’s event will be held on Friday, February 24th and Saturday, February 25th at the Joplin History and Mineral…
Read More »City Of Joplin Firefighters To Begin Safety Inspections In Businesses Within The City
To prevent fire hazards and encourage a safe environment, the Joplin Fire Department will soon be visiting Joplin businesses to conduct a routine safety inspection. Inspections are done for every business on an annual basis. They were paused during…
Read More »City Of Joplin News : Citizens Encouraged To Participate In FCC Review Of Local Wireless Connectivity
Bring your taxpayer dollars back Joplin! The City of Joplin is requesting all citizens of Joplin to log data about their internet and speed connectivity through a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) study. The City is currently soliciting…
Read More »City Of Joplin News : Recycling Center Offers Drop-Off Options Fordiscarded Christmas Trees
The City of Joplin will have three collection points for discarded, natural (live) Christmas trees starting December 26 and continuing through January 31. Citizens should bring their tree, completely stripped of all decorations, and place it near…
Read More »City Of Joplin News - Get Your Letters to Santa by December 5 thru Parks and Rec Campaign
Get your Letters to Santa by Dec. 5 thru Parks & Rec Campaign With the holiday season quickly approaching, it’s time for children to begin writing their letters to Santa! Joplin Parks and Recreation has made special arrangements with…
Read More »City Of Joplin News : Breakfast with Santa Claus set for Saturday, December 3, 2022
Santa is taking a break from his holiday schedule to make a special stop to have breakfast with all the good little girls and boys! Joplin Parks and Recreation will host their annual Breakfast with Santa event at the Joplin History & Mineral…
Read More »City Of Joplin News : Thanksgiving holiday closes City offices, alters residential trash schedule
In recognition of the Thanksgiving holiday, the City of Joplin offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24, and Friday, November 25. This closing includes the Joplin Recycling Center, MAPS and the Sunshine Lamp Trolley services. The Recycling…
Read More »Holiday Tree Trail Kicks off November 29 at Mercy Park
Joplin Parks and Recreation, the City of Joplin, and Visit Joplin are continuing a new holiday tradition in Mercy Park. The Holiday Tree Trail is a series of decorated trees from area businesses and organizations placed along a portion of the…
Read More »City Of Joplin News - JATSO Seeking Public Comments on TIP Amendment
JATSO seeking public comments on TIP amendment The Joplin Area Transportation Study Organization (JATSO) is seeking a 7-day public comment period for an amendment to the 2022-2025 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP contains…
Read More »Residential Leaf Pick-up Begins Monday, November 28, 2022
The City of Joplin will start the annual residential leaf pick-up program on November 28, the first Monday after Thanksgiving, weather permitting. To address all areas of Joplin, the City utilizes two crews that start in outlying areas and work…
Read More »City Reduces Public Transportation Service Due To Driver Shortage
Due to a shortage of drivers, Joplin’s public transportation options will be reduced starting November 28, 2022. At that time, the Sunshine Lamp Trolley service will be suspended until further notice and riders will be referred to the MAPS…
Read More »City Of Joplin News Joplin City Women, Infants & Children Programannounces Continued WIC Contract
The Joplin City Health Department/Women, Infants and Children (WIC) announces a contract continuance to provide WIC services for the federal fiscal year 2023 has been signed with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Women,…
Read More »Fire Department Reminds Residents To 'Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries'
As citizens “fall back” and move their clocks back one hour this weekend as daylight savings time comes to an end the Joplin Fire Department urges families to take steps to make their homes safer by changing the batteries in their smoke…
Read More »City Of Joplin News Dave Holden hired As Joplin And Jasper County EmergencyManager
Joplin Fire Chief Gerald Ezell is pleased to announce that Dave Holden will begin serving as the Emergency Management Coordinator for Joplin and Jasper County starting November 7. Current Emergency Manager Keith Stammer will retire on November 1,…
Read More »City Of Joplin News City Opens Tree Limb Disposal For Residents Friday,October 14, And Saturday, October 15
The City will open the tree limb and brush drop-off site on Friday, October 14, and Saturday, October 15 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is the final drop-off weekend scheduled, as the free program runs from March through October. If the community…
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