Discover Joplin, MO’s, Neighborhoods

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Named after one of its earliest settlers, Rev. Harris Joplin, the city of Joplin, MO, has experienced many ups and downs since its establishment in 1873. One of its first population booms was in response to a robust mining scene. The city’s growth shrank after World War II when zinc prices bottomed out and mines closed, but Joplin bounced back with the creation of the famous Route 66, which passes through the city’s downtown. Today, more than 52,000 residents call Joplin home. Ahead, discover some of the neighborhoods fueling Joplin, MO’s, latest rebirth.

Downtown

Unsurprisingly, the heart of Joplin is vibrant and lively, teeming with locally owned retail shops, arts and cultural amenities, offices and workspace studios, and dining and nightlife hot spots. Not to mention, it is highly walkable, and around 250 historic buildings within 75 blocks comprise the downtown Joplin, MO, neighborhood.

“The buildings in that part of town were generally built from 1890 to 1920,” says Lori Haun, executive director of the Downtown Joplin Alliance. “Currently, there are around 350 apartments downtown with another 200-plus under development in existing buildings.”

Blue Haven Homes is one such developer breathing new life into downtown properties, including renovating The Olivia apartment building and turning the former Joplin YMCA into a $6 million apartment complex.

“Downtown is home to the Cornell Complex, with live performances nearly every week and visual arts in the Spiva galleries,” Haun says. “In addition, the Creative Learning Alliance has recently made the announcement to open a science center in the old library building in 2025. There are five coffee shops, a brewery, lots of live music and activities.”

Haun says Third Thursday is a popular event that takes place from March through October, and downtown is covered in murals.

“Keep your eyes open for the Joplin hearts,” she says.

North Heights

About 1,200 residents make up the eight-by-eight block, mixed-income neighborhood in Joplin, MO, known as North Heights. Located just north of downtown in the area between First and F streets, North Heights has active community engagement. For example, when the former Columbia Elementary School was razed, benefactors stepped up to purchase the lot for the neighborhood. It will be the future site of The Michael and Jeri Lynn Joseph Family Park.

North Heights is perhaps best known for hosting Porchfest, an annual live music event, where front porches are transformed into tiny venues for local musicians to perform. Last October, more than 45 bands and solo acts played for thousands of guests who moved from location to location. Admission is free, but guests are encouraged to tip the artists.

The South Side

This area of the Joplin, MO, includes neighborhoods like Freeman Grove, Blendville and Mohaska, but what distinguishes this community is its rich assets in health care.

Locally owned, nonprofit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System is headquartered in Joplin. The system includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics in three states and a variety of specialty services.

This area is also home to the Farber-McIntire campus of Kansas City University, a private school of medicine where students choose career fields in osteopathic medicine, clinical psychology, biomedical sciences, and now, a dental medicine discipline at the new Joplin location.

Southridge

The hallmarks of this mixed-income Joplin, MO, neighborhood are its residents. Southridge neighbors see a problem and take initiative. For instance, when resident Christina Williams of CGA Architects was looking for safe routes for her children to get to school at nearby Cecil Floyd Elementary School, she decided to initiate a bicycling commuter group.

“We call ourselves the ‘Bike Bus,’” Williams says. “It’s a group of kids who ride together, just like you would on a bus, but we’re all on bikes. We talk about staying on the right side of the road, and we arrive at school quicker than families in cars who live in the same neighborhood because of the way that we travel.”

The Bike Bus took its inaugural ride in 2021, and since then, the group has biked to and from school each week. Every weekend, Williams checks the weather forecast as well as her availability to decide which days to ride and then coordinates with other parents.

Sunnyvale 

Sunnyvale is a well-established neighborhood in Joplin that offers a mix of historical older homes and newly built units. The tree-lined streets and well-maintained parks make it an ideal place for families and nature lovers. Additionally, Sunnyvale is conveniently located near shopping centers, schools and medical facilities, making it a practical choice for many residents.

Eastmorland

The end of World War II created a housing shortage across the country, and Joplin was no exception. Hundreds of small efficiency houses were mass produced for veterans and financed through the newly created Federal Housing Authority, and Eastmorland welcomed many of these new homes.

Commercial activity picked up in Eastmorland after construction of Route 66, and today, residents can choose from a mix of national brands and small businesses in the area.

Eastmorland Plaza was Joplin’s first suburban shopping center and was constructed in 1956 along what is now U.S. Route 44.

Investments in public amenities retain homebuyer attraction in this neighborhood. Murphy Boulevard, which borders Eastmorland, features a 1.04-mile, loose gravel walking/running path in Landreth Park.

Northbrook / Oakland Heights / Oakland Park

Traveling northeast from downtown Joplin, the area home to the Oakland Park, Northbrook and Oakland Heights neighborhoods offers educational and recreational amenities. 

Wichita Technical Institute offers hands-on training programs with hybrid online and on-campus options.

Outdoor enthusiasts can access the Frisco Greenway multiuse trail from this area. The 3.5-mile gravel rails-to-trails path features a convenient trailhead next to the fire department. Residents and visitors alike can access a bike shop, a coffee shop and many restaurant options within a short distance from the trailhead.

Roanoke 

Roanoke is one of the older neighborhoods in Joplin, MO. Historical homes constructed at the turn of the 20th century are nestled among newer mid-century modern split-levels. Roanoke Park features tennis courts and a playground. Combined with tree-lined streets, Roanoke is an ideal place for families and nature lovers. 

This article is sponsored by Choose Joplin, which is actively supported by the Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Joplin.