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City Of Joplin

602 South Main Street
417-624-0820

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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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