Joplin
RANK #90 / 996 NAT · #6 / 22 MO · POP 122,788
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
Jasper County, Missouri, in the southwest part of the state, is perhaps best known for Joplin, its largest city, and Carthage, the county seat, nicknamed "America's Maple Leaf City." The county is part of the Joplin Metropolitan Statistical Area. Commutes are generally short, with residents averaging under 20 minutes to work. Outdoor recreation opportunities include numerous trails for hiking, biking, and running, such as the Ruby Jack Trail and the Frisco Greenway Trail. The area offers a blend of natural scenery and historical sites, including the historic Jasper County Courthouse in Carthage.
Life in Jasper County offers a balance of community and affordability, with many residents owning their homes. Public schools in the county are generally above average. The local economy is experiencing growth, with ongoing developments in infrastructure and various sectors. This includes investment in areas like data centers and energy, contributing to job opportunities and supporting the county's continued expansion.
Above national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.2x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Jasper County Powered Data Park
Geronimo Power
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Foxtrot Solar Energy LLC
Evergy Missouri West
|
$214M | Planned |
|
Jasper Battery/Storage
Unknown
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Kings Point Wind Farm
Liberty Utilities
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Missouri Route 96 Corridor Upgrades (Carthage)
Missouri Department of Transportation
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Jasper County ranks #90 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 91/100, putting it in the top tier nationally. Job growth of +1.1% and a median household income of $54,963 point to a county with active economic momentum.
By national standards, Jasper County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $147,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $878/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Jasper County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip. Home values shifted +0.8% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.98% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Jasper County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.