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CITY

Joplin

Missouri · 53,930 residents (2025 est.) · 38.081 sq mi
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The short version

Joplin has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $52,097. Population has grown 16% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $168,300. Households here earn about 26% less than the Missouri median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
27% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
52,593
+16%since 2000
from 45,504 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,381 / sq mi
+16%since 2000
from 1,195 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.5
+11%since 2000
from 34.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:53,930 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
40K43K47K50K54K1990201020202024Joplin
202453K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,097
−6%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,555 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,024
+81%since 2000
from $17,738 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
32.8%
+17.5 ptssince 2009
from 15.3% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 14.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.477
+1%since 2010
from 0.473 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.3%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade11.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance5.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services4.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade4.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration3.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$168,300
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $67,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$962
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $453 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
53.4%
−4.1 ptssince 2000
from 57.6% in 2000
46.6% rent
Vacancy rate
10.6%
−2.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.9%
−1.0 ptssince 2009
from 18.9% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
45.7%
−6.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
3.2
+47%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Joplin on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.2%(41,058)
Black2.6%(1,190)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(1,144)
Asian0.7%(337)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.6%(6,652)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.2%(42,720)
Black2.9%(1,548)
Hispanic / Latino6.3%(3,334)
Asian2.2%(1,144)
Other7.3%(3,847)
Diversity Score41.2%(21,662)
Diversity Score
41
+182%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
26.7%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 20.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.0%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 81.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 7.1% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.0 min
+69%since 2000
from 10.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.1%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 80.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 12.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.0%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.6%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.3%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 8.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.8%
−4.2 ptssince 2011
from 65.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.6%
+3.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.8%
−24.0 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
Female
51.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
Foreign born
3.9%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.1%
−38.3 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.6%
+4.0 ptssince 2012
from 16.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.7%
−71.3 ptssince 2013
from 83.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.6%
+21.6 ptssince 2017
from 67.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 95.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
2.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2016
from 1.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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JOPLIN VS
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JOPLIN VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Joplin, Missouri?

Joplin, Missouri has about 52,593 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Joplin, Missouri?

The typical household in Joplin, Missouri earns about $52,097 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Joplin, Missouri expensive?

In Joplin, Missouri, the median home is worth about $168,300, and the typical rent is about $962 a month.

How educated are people in Joplin, Missouri?

About 26.7% of adults age 25 and over in Joplin, Missouri hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Joplin, Missouri?

About 16.9% of people in Joplin, Missouri live below the federal poverty line.

Has Joplin, Missouri grown since 1990?

Yes, Joplin, Missouri has grown since 1990. The population has added about 11,637 residents, a change of about 28 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →