$176,480Average Value$85Average Price per Sq Ft2Homes For Sale
Revitalized downtown Joplin blends historic preservation with a booming commercial strip
Downtown Joplin is an up-and-coming area centrally located at the intersection of historic Route 66 and Main Street. Also known as the Sunshine Lamp District for the lamps that shined atop miners' heads during Joplin's zinc and lead mining days in the 19th century, Historic brick buildings line Main Street, another remnant of the city's past industrial success. The interiors of the building look much different today, housing modern restaurants, boutiques, and loft apartments, providing more options for renters. While revitalization has been slow, it has increased in recent years. The result is a city center that blends historic preservation with thriving arts, culture, events, shopping, dining and nightlife. "I've lived here my whole life, and I've seen more change in the past five or six years than I ever have. It's just great," says Jason Wallace, a Joplin native and a Realtor with Fox and Riley Real Estate who has worked in the area for 19 years. "There has been a lot of focus on downtown, which is really attracting new businesses and gives people more things to do."
New restaurants add to Joplin's diverse dining scene
New shops and restaurants have helped reshape the Downtown Joplin landscape in recent years. "In the grand scheme of things, those are the things that draw people to live there — I can go a block here to get wings, a block there to get a burger." Downtown is the center of Joplin's food scene, offering casual and fine dining options. Opening in 2023, 530 Somewhere serves signature cocktails and comfort food like chili spaghetti. Hackett Hot Wings has built a fan base since it arrived in 2003. It specializes in 13 signature sauce flavors, including cajun, jerk and lemon pepper. In 2015, Hacket's added a sports room with multiple flat screens. Bars and breweries combine social spaces and entertainment, such as live music and axe throwing.
Boutiques, beauty salons, florists and other businesses also fill the spaces along Main and surrounding streets. Dollar General and Downtown Corner Mart are available for groceries locally, while Cash Saver has a fuller about half a mile west. The Joplin Empire Market is another weekly opportunity to grab some local groceries. It occurs year-round every Saturday inside the Empire Market building, less than a mile east. Here, local vendors from the surrounding 150 miles sell fresh produce, prepared foods, meat, baked goods and specialty items.
Hacketts Hot Wings draws foodies to Downtown Joplin.
Blue Moon Boutique is a local favorite in Downtown Joplin.
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Pennington Lofts apartments combine modern and vintage elements
Downtown living typically means renting an apartment in one of Joplin's historic buildings. Neal Group Construction is a local company spearheading the effort to convert old buildings into multi-use complexes with retail spaces on the first floor and apartments on the higher floors. As of 2023, there were 350 completed apartment units and 200 more are in the works, according to the Downtown Joplin Alliance, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing the area. In 2024, Neal Group opened the Pennington Lofts. These 21 apartments have modern, luxury kitchens juxtaposed with exposed brick from the former Pennington Drug Company building. They're situated on top of the Pennington Station virtual reality arcade. Downtown Joplin Alliance hosts occasional open-house style loft tours for a peek inside some of these new apartment buildings.
Most downtown living spaces are rentals, though some open lots and vacant buildings are for sale. More ownership opportunities could open soon. Work is in progress on the Southern Livery Lofts, including eight condominiums with parking. Grand Victorian homes with front porches surround downtown, dating back to the city's early days. These large homes have sometimes been converted into multi-family units for rental income, and some updates may be required. They vary in price and condition, ranging from $90,000 to $127,000.
Loft housing options are expanding in Downtown Joplin.
Older homes in Downtown Joplin come in a variety of sizes and conditions.
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Arts and culture at the Cornell Complex
Joplin's arts, entertainment and events are a big part of the city's revival. Connect2Culture and Spiva Center for the Arts, two Joplin nonprofits, opened the Harry M. Cornell Arts & Entertainment Complex in November 2022, creating a downtown hub for visual and performing arts. The 37,000-square-foot venue features several gallery spaces and indoor and outdoor stages for classical music performances, theater and national touring artists. Joplin Arts Fest takes place here in September and showcases artists from around the country. Participants get hands-on experience in the Make and Take tent, enjoy live performances, and compete in youth and adult art competitions.
Third Thursday is another favorite Joplin event that draws thousands of visitors from March through October. Each month has a different theme, such as Dog Days of Summer and Harvest Festival. The event includes a makers market and performance stages along Main Street. Many Main Street restaurants also stay open late and set up outdoor seating for eventgoers to dine between the browsing.
The Cornell Complex is a hub of art and theater in Downtown Joplin.
Colorful murals can be found throughout the Downtown Joplin neighborhood.
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Joplin High students explore different career paths
This neighborhood is divided into two different Joplin Schools pipelines. Students on the west side may attend Dover Hill Elementary, which opened in January 2023, and North Middle, which earns a B-minus. Students on the east side may attend McKinley Elementary and East Middle, both earning a C-plus. Joplin High School serves the city's ninth through 12th graders and gets a C-plus. Located 2 miles south of downtown, the high school will introduce different career academies tailored to students' personal goals in 2025. Areas of study include business and information technology, health services, technical sciences, arts and communication and human services.
Downtown Joplin is home to government offices for Jasper County.
The sunsets on another day in Downtown Joplin.
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Ewert park Aquatic Center is a city-wide draw
Downtown Joplin is central to 22 city parks. Situated next to the Joplin Globe newspaper building, Spiva Park is a small, grassy area tucked into the urban landscape. It features a fountain in the center, surrounded by benches under the shade of tall, mature trees. Two miles east, Ewert Park has a skate park and aquatic center. It caters to kids of all ages with three drop slides in the deep end and a zero-depth splash area. About a mile and a half north is Landreth Park, a sprawling green space with lots of sports and recreation amenities spread over 160 acres. Walking trails connect to the baseball diamonds, pickleball courts, playground and picnic shelters.
Spiva Park is a small park in downtown Joplin.
Offices, restaurants, apartments and lofts occupy buildings along Main Street in Downtown Joplin
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Active Transportation Plan could add downtown bike lanes
Downtown living means walkability to shops, restaurants, and events. Wide sidewalks are throughout this area. On Main, they are buffered by trashcans, lamp posts, trees and flowerpots. Currently, there aren't any bike lanes downtown. Joplin's 2022 Active Transportation Plan identifies areas of improvement throughout the city. It recommends a Downtown Loop to connect the city center to surrounding areas with 5 miles of protected bike lanes. Joplin doesn't have public buses, but it does have a curb-to-curb paratransit service via the Metro Area Public Transit System. Freeman Hospital West has a 24/7 Level II trauma center about 3 miles south.
Joplin Police may add a downtown patrol
Downtown Joplin has a CAP Index crime score of 6 out of 10, compared to the national average score of 4. The Joplin Police Department's Crime Free Team helps to reduce city-wide crime through customized projects based on geography and crime category. It also prioritizes community outreach through events such as neighborhood block parties. In a March 2024 Joplin City Council meeting, Joplin Police Chief Richard Pearson proposed several new crime prevention measures, including a downtown patrol.
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Luxury downtown true condominium - Unique for Joplin! Attached garage with 2 designated parking spots, private storage closet, elevator, video intercom to secured guest entry in front lobby, interior mailboxes, security door and cameras, access to common areas to include an equipped fitness center and a roof top terrace perfect for entertaining with wonderful views! Experience upscale living in
Great opportunity in convenient downtown location. Very unique full brick building. 3 loft apartments and one main floor apt. All units are fully applianced including stove, refrigerator, washer and dryers. There is also 3000 sqft on main level available for development, with a full bath and utility room. Building has good income with good occupancy rates.
Main Street commercial develipment opportunity. You can own the entire block from 23rd to 24th Street on the East side. This is located near restaurants, coffee shops, fast food franchises and the new Casey's Convenience Store. Two corner lots and alley access make this a versatile piece of property with endless applications for usage.
A 100 year old warehouse converted into high-end industrial style lofts. Located on Joplin Ave., the entertainment district of downtown. These lofts are within walking distance to some of the best eateries, bars, a brewery, and shopping, that downtown has to offer! Only a short drive to the KCU-Joplin campus, as well as the MSSU campus.With 14 units in total, we made sure every loft here at
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,046
Median Age
34
Population under 18
20.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$29,999
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$34,725
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.6%
College Graduates
19%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
3.4%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60.4%
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
59/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
76/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
