BlockBefore

Joplin, Missouri

19 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1886 and the latest in 1991. It stands in Joplin Township. It lies in ZIP code area 64801. The Survey maps it on the Joplin West quadrangle. 51,762 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,004 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Joplin within Jasper County

On record in Joplin

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 12 of 29 shown

Every listing in Jasper County

Population over time

2 figures

Joplin grew from 50,150 to 51,762 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
201050,150
202051,762+1,612 (+3%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

11 surveys from 19 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

In the county-history sources

80,318 words on this township

The History of Jasper County, Missouri : Including a Condensed History of the State, a Complete History of Carthage and Joplin, Other Towns and Townships : Together with Numerous Portraits of Prominent Men : Cuts of Elegant Residences and Public Buildings : a Sectional Map of the County : Biographical Sketches of Many Enterprising Farmers, Merchants, Mechanics, Professional, and Business Men : the Constitution of the State : an Abstract of Laws : an Elaborate History of Jasper County - Its Topography, Natural History, Pioneers, Organization, Political History, Courts and Bar, Religious, Educational, Medical, Agricultural, Mining, and Horticultural, Its Commercial and Business Interests, Etc, published 1883 names this settlement in its chapter on Joplin Township. These are the passages that mention it, exactly as the scans read.

In attempting a pen picture of the great " lead metropolis," and a portrayal of the various features which have given her place among the most important municipalities of the land, the writer is by no means sanguine of success. The enormity of the task is only recognized after weeks of diligent researcli. .loplin is yet in her infancy, although an extraordinary vigorous growth lias crowded into the few years of lier existence achievements of which cities of far greater pretensions might well be proud. Behold her, the " wonder of the West," a splendid city, covering an area of two square miles, containing upwards of eight thousand inhabitants, and all the adjuncts of first class modern civilization, grown up in little more than a decade of years. Joplin stands to-day the center of all the greatest lead and zinc regions in the world. A business center because it is a railroad center, having railroads in all directions except due south, where one is principally graded and will doubtless soon be in operation. A manufacturing center because here are established numerous lead and zinc works, white lead works (the most extensive, and in fact the only one of the kind in the world), foundries and machine shops, woolen mills, cornice works, carriage and wagon works, paint and oil mills, etc., etc. A financial center, because of inexhaustible mineral resources, wholesale houses, banks, etc. Twelve years ago the present site of Joplin was an uninviting waste of prairie, cut by water-courses, with here and there a clump of bushes or solitary tree. The only evidences of civilization were the log cabins of John C. Cox and the Rev. Mr. Joplin, two of the pioneer settlers of Jasper county. Of course there were others in neighboring parts, but not in this immediate vicinity. To-day a metropolitan city of almost fabulous wealth nestles on the scene as if by magic. To-day forty-nine miles of streets are traversed by myriads of busy beings lost in the activities of life. To-day the ring of bells, the shrill scream of whistles, the clank of hammers, the hum of machinery, and the rattle of vehicles over graveled ways, "join in one grand, harmonious chorus to the sons of toil. To-day fine, broad streets, over eleven miles of which are macadamized, substantial two and three story brick business houses and dwellings, lead and zinc works, white lead works, foundries and machine shops, churches, schools, daily and weekly newspapers, flour, and woolen mills, cigar manufactories, wagon and carriage works, railroads, telegraph lines, telephones, gas-works, water-works, a fire department, a street railway, hotels, banks, and numerous other elements, included under the term of modern improvements, give evidence of what can be accomplished by men of broad ideas, liberality, and genuine pluck. The population is steadily on the increase, and the work of building up and enlarging the town with more buildings, streets, public buildings, manufactories, and educational institutions, is still going on with unabated vigor. During the first years the growth of the city was that of a mining camp and frontier town. Much energy was misdirected and misspent. Plans were hastily laid and carried out with a view only to transient needs; but now the upbuilding is entirely different; the people see, and are profited by, the mistakes of the past, and all is done carefully, solidly, with intelligence, and commendable liberality.

Passage source: The History of Jasper County, Missouri : Including a Condensed History of the State, a Complete History of Carthage and Joplin, Other Towns and Townships : Together with Numerous Portraits of Prominent Men : Cuts of Elegant Residences and Public Buildings : a Sectional Map of the County : Biographical Sketches of Many Enterprising Farmers, Merchants, Mechanics, Professional, and Business Men : the Constitution of the State : an Abstract of Laws : an Elaborate History of Jasper County - Its Topography, Natural History, Pioneers, Organization, Political History, Courts and Bar, Religious, Educational, Medical, Agricultural, Mining, and Horticultural, Its Commercial and Business Interests, Etc, published 1883.

Not only is the city progressive, but the surrounding villages are imbued with the same spirit of progression. As the grand oak sends its roots far reaching in all directions for necessary nutrition, so Joplin claims them as

Passage source: The History of Jasper County, Missouri : Including a Condensed History of the State, a Complete History of Carthage and Joplin, Other Towns and Townships : Together with Numerous Portraits of Prominent Men : Cuts of Elegant Residences and Public Buildings : a Sectional Map of the County : Biographical Sketches of Many Enterprising Farmers, Merchants, Mechanics, Professional, and Business Men : the Constitution of the State : an Abstract of Laws : an Elaborate History of Jasper County - Its Topography, Natural History, Pioneers, Organization, Political History, Courts and Bar, Religious, Educational, Medical, Agricultural, Mining, and Horticultural, Its Commercial and Business Interests, Etc, published 1883.

Galena, Empire City, Thurman, Webb City, Carterville, Oronogo, Smithfield, Carl Junction, and Blende City, are, strictly speaking, little more than suburban towns, each paying royalty to the great city around which they cluster, and upon which they are in great part dependent.

Passage source: The History of Jasper County, Missouri : Including a Condensed History of the State, a Complete History of Carthage and Joplin, Other Towns and Townships : Together with Numerous Portraits of Prominent Men : Cuts of Elegant Residences and Public Buildings : a Sectional Map of the County : Biographical Sketches of Many Enterprising Farmers, Merchants, Mechanics, Professional, and Business Men : the Constitution of the State : an Abstract of Laws : an Elaborate History of Jasper County - Its Topography, Natural History, Pioneers, Organization, Political History, Courts and Bar, Religious, Educational, Medical, Agricultural, Mining, and Horticultural, Its Commercial and Business Interests, Etc, published 1883.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Joplin Township - it names this place 231 more 231 times.

Fires near this place

58 since 1992

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 58 fires within 5 miles of Joplin between 1992 and 2020, burning about 94 acres in total. 1 started naturally. 2 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning27
Missing data/not specified/undetermined25
Arson/incendiarism2
Recreation and ceremony2
Natural1
Equipment and vehicle use1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
22 September 2000Debris and open burning5.0 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
17 September 2000Debris and open burning3.0 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
6 August 1996Missing data/not specified/undetermined2.0 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
30 August 2000Debris and open burning3.0 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
24 August 2014Debris and open burning1.0 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named
17 August 2018Naturalunder an acreMissouri Department of Conservation177462-07341-08172018-1253
24 July 2019Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreMissouri Department of Conservation179008-07341-07242019-1600
18 July 2013Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresMissouri Department of Conservationnot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Jasper County

Mines and quarries near this place

10 of 1,267 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 1,267 workings within 5 miles of Joplin: 1,262 past producers, 3 producers, 1 unknown, 1 occurrence. 3 still produce. What was taken out: Lead, Zinc, Zinc, Lead, Zinc, Stone, Crushed/Broken. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Kirshmann-Jeffries QuarryStone, Crushed/Broken, Marble, DimensionPast Producer
Sucker Flats PitClayPast Producer
Independent Gravel CoSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Mattes Bros. Chat PlantSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Unknown - Zn/PbZinc, LeadPast Producer
Unknown - Zn/PbZinc, LeadPast Producer
Unknown - Zn/PbZinc, LeadPast Producer
Griesmer QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Joplin Stone Co. MillStone, Crushed/BrokenProducer
Opossum Hollow QuarryStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer

Every working recorded in Jasper County

Storms near this place

60 of 161 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Joplin in 161 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 60 thunderstorm wind, 50 hail, 28 flash flood, 7 lightning. The reports record 2 deaths and 24 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 2011LightningJoplin1 killed, 1 hurtEmergency management officials relayed to the NWS that two law enforcement officers were struck by lightning while aiding in the recovery efforts from the EF-5 tornado in Joplin. Both officers were injured and taken to the hospital. One of the officers later died on June 2nd at the hospital from injuries he suffered from the lightning strike.
June 1996LightningJoplin1 killedno account filed
April 1996Tornado (F1)Joplin12 hurt, $12,000,000no account filed
April 2001Thunderstorm WindJoplin10 hurt, $1,000,000no account filed
July 2002LightningJoplin1 hurtno account filed
April 1996Tornado (F1)Joplin$1,000,000no account filed
August 1999Thunderstorm WindJoplin$500,000no account filed
June 1999Tornado (F1)Joplin$220,000no account filed
May 2024Tornado (EF1)Joplin$160,000NWS storm survey found a EF-1 tornado with an intermittent damage path across the southeast and east side of Joplin into Duquesne. Maximum winds were estimated at 95 mph. Numerous tree limb damage and uprooted trees along with powerline damage were reported.
June 2013LightningJoplin$100,000Two house fires were started due to lightning strikes.
May 2002Thunderstorm WindJoplin$100,000no account filed
September 2014LightningJoplin$50,000A damaging lightning strike hit a large tree on the Ozark Community College campus early Thursday morning. It broke 18 windows in three different dorms on campus. One car was damage by falling tree debris and the phone system in the dorm was severely damaged. Time was estimated by witnesses.
May 2008Thunderstorm WindJoplin$50,000A roof of a hotel was partially ripped off from severe thunderstorm wind gusts. Several trees within the city of Joplin were also damaged.
April 1993Thunderstorm WindJoplin$50,000Wind gusts to 67 mph were reported at various areas of Joplin as thunderstorms moved through the area. One gust was recorded at the Joplin Regional Airport. Numerous roofs were damaged.
April 1993Thunderstorm WindJoplin$50,000Wind gusts to 67 mph were reported at various areas of Joplin as thunderstorms moved through the area. One gust was recorded at the Joplin Regional Airport. Numerous roofs were damaged.
April 2019HailJoplin$40,000Golf ball sized hail was reported. Minor damage to roofs and some cars occurred.
June 2005HailJoplin$40,000This storm is a continuation of the Cherokee County supercell that spawned two brief tornadoes. Jasper County was mainly impacted by golf ball size hail from this storm. The storm entered the extreme southwest portion of the county prior to moving into northwest Newton County. A three mile swath of hail was observed by several amateur radio operators.
July 2010LightningJoplin$30,000A home caught on fire from a lightning strike in the city of Joplin.
July 1995Thunderstorm WindJoplin$30,000Severe thunderstorms repeatedly moved throught the Joplin area downing trees and power lines.
September 2012Thunderstorm WindJoplin$25,000The courthouse had minor roof damage. Roof construction was rolled rood over styrofoam insulation.
January 2008Thunderstorm WindJoplin$20,000Straight line winds associated with a severe thunderstorm rolled 3 small trailers at a mobile home park on to their sides.
August 2006Thunderstorm WindJoplin$15,000Thunderstorm winds downed trees and power lines in the city of Joplin.
May 2004Thunderstorm WindJoplin$15,000Downburst winds produced intermittent damage in a 30 yard wide area near the intersection of 15th and Rangeline. Damage occurred to the roof and several sheds of a lumber store. Minor damage occurred at Wal-Mart along with several shattered car windows.
April 1998HailJoplin$15,000Numerous reports of quarter to half dollar size hail were received from areas just north of Joplin, in the Webb City area. Hail dented many cars.
June 1996Flash FloodJoplin$15,000no account filed
May 2019Flash FloodJoplin$12,000A car was flooded up to the roof.
April 2026Thunderstorm WindJoplin$10,000A tree fell on power lines knocking out power to several homes.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindJoplin$10,000Report of a handful of power lines and trees down across the Joplin area.
September 2023Thunderstorm WindJoplin$10,000A metal outbuilding suffered minor damage.
July 2019Thunderstorm WindJoplin$10,000Power lines and large limbs were reported down by the fire department.
October 2014LightningJoplin$10,000Several lightning strikes damaged transformers in downtown Joplin which caused power outages.
August 2012Thunderstorm WindJoplin$10,000Law enforcement reported several power lines down and power outages around the city.
September 2012Thunderstorm WindJoplin$10,000A wall of a car dealership was destroyed and blown down.
July 2005Thunderstorm WindJoplin$10,000Thunderstorm wind gusts downed a few power poles in Joplin.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindJoplin$10,000Thunderstorm winds caused scattered damage around Joplin and surrounding communities. Two utility poles were damaged in Joplin and trees fell on a house and car in Carthage.
June 1998HailJoplin$10,000no account filed
May 2025Thunderstorm WindJoplin$8,000Report of roof damage.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindJoplin$5,000Social media report of several trees uprooted and large branches down.
April 2019Flash FloodJoplin$5,000The Emergency Manager reported that a water rescue was performed near the intersection of 32nd Street and St. Johns Boulevard. The vehicle occupant was rescued safely after driving through high water and being washed of the road.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindJoplin$5,000Thunderstorm wind gusts downed a few power lines in Joplin.
April 2006Thunderstorm WindJoplin$5,000A few powerline poles and lines were downed from severe thunderstorm wind gusts.
August 1997Thunderstorm WindJoplin$5,000Thunderstorm winds downed a tree on a mobile home causing minor damage.
May 1995Thunderstorm WindJoplin$5,000Thunderstorm winds downed a tree which heavily damaged a house.
April 1994Thunderstorm WindJoplin$5,000A wind gust to 62 mph was reported at the Joplin Regional Airport. Numerous large trees and limbs were blown down in Carthage as well.
April 1993Thunderstorm WindJoplin$5,000Wind gusts to 67 mph were reported at various areas of Joplin as thunderstorms moved through the area. One gust was recorded at the Joplin Regional Airport. Numerous roofs were damaged.
May 2019Flash FloodJoplin$4,000A flooded parking lot with a partially submerged car was reported. A picture was received via social media. This was a continuation of flooding that began on April 30th.
May 1999Thunderstorm WindJoplin$4,000no account filed
August 2016Thunderstorm WindJoplin$3,000Several trees and power lines were blown down in Joplin.
June 2024Thunderstorm WindJoplin$1,000A tree was down on the northeast side of Joplin.
September 2012Thunderstorm WindJoplin$1,000The public reported a small tree on a house on north Miller Street in Joplin.
July 1997Thunderstorm WindJoplin$500Thunderstorm winds damaged a barn and downed a large tree.
April 1994HailJoplin$500Police reported golf ball-size hail on the southeast edge of Joplin.
March 1994HailJoplin$500no account filed
April 1994HailJoplin$50no account filed
April 2026Flash FloodJoplin-Multiple roads and city streets were reported flooded and closed in the city of Joplin.
April 2025Thunderstorm WindJoplin-A trained spotter reported winds of 70 mph.
April 2025HailJoplin-Penny sized hail was reported.
March 2025Thunderstorm WindJoplin-A 60 mph wind gust was measured in the city of Joplin.
June 2025FloodJoplin-Flooding caused a handful of ditches to flow into the streets, with Murphy Blvd shut down due to water over the low water bridge.
November 2025FloodJoplin-Picher and Junge roads were closed due to flooding.

Every storm recorded in Jasper County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
West Joplin0.4 miles19
Blendville (historical)1.4 miles19
East Joplin1.4 miles19
Chitwood1.9 miles19
Lone Elm2.2 miles19
Iron Gates2.5 miles19
Oakland Park2.8 miles19
Duquesne2.9 miles19

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on JoplinAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q317865The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 729911. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.