City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

Joplin, MO

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Joplin - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

52,218
Residents
$51,154
Median income
$159,700
Median home
$947
Median rent (state)

Joplin - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Joplin places in the 21st percentile for household income and the 4th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

21st
percentile, household income
30th
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
4th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Joplin, MO

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 52,218 residents in Joplin, a small city within Missouri. Median household income here is $51,154 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 11.7%. Typical homes in Joplin are valued around $159,700, and the median resident age is 37.5 years. Educational attainment runs 26.4% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 209 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Slowing), down 14% from five years earlier. Joplin's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 4681.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 56.7°F with 45.8 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Missouri run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Missouri at 90.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $947 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Missouri run around $219, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 85.6 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

52,218 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$51,154 /yr

Poverty 11.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does Joplin compare to other US cities?

Joplin measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 21% higher than other cities
Home value 30% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities
Safety 4% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Missouri alone, Joplin ranks #214 of 234 Missouri cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Joplin against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Missouri only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Missouri-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Joplin toward the top of Missouri's cities

Among the 875 Missouri cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Joplin ranks #198 - the 77th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Joplin only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#466 of 842
45th percentile in Missouri
Median Gross Rent
#392 of 875
52nd percentile in Missouri
Median Home Value
#273 of 833
67th percentile in Missouri
Poverty Rate
#373 of 875
57th percentile in Missouri
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#198 of 875
77th percentile in Missouri

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Missouri only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

21stIncome percentile
4thSafety percentile

21st percentile nationally for median household income · 4th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Joplin's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Joplin's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
Joplin's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Joplin's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$159,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 70% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Joplin $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Joplin, MO Joplin, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Joplin, MO-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Joplin, MO median $51,154/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Joplin, MO's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Joplin, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
52,218
Median Income
$51,154
Median Home Value
$159,700
Median Age
37.5
Poverty Rate
11.7%
Labor force participation
58.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4681.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
560.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4120.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
56.7°F
Annual Precipitation
45.8"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
17
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
51,000 residents52,000 residents53,000 residents54,000 residents55,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 51,736 residents 53,930 residents ▲ +4.2%
Joplin's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
209
housing units authorized
Single-Family
165
detached homes
Multifamily
44
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 243
2020 326
2021 457
2022 509
2023 248
2024 209

Permit volume decreased 14% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.4%
Carpool
9.8%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
8.5%
Other
0.8%

Based on 24,087 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Missouri - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$72
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$219
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Missouri state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Missouri state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Joplin sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$947/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
85.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Florissant
51,915 people
Chesterfield
49,591 people
St. Peters
58,200 people
Wentzville
45,734 people
Blue Springs
59,416 people
Jefferson City
42,565 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Joplin's 52,218 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Wheaton, MD
52,172 people
Kendale Lakes, FL
52,141 people
Placentia, CA
52,384 people
Cathedral City, CA
52,047 people
Battle Creek, MI
52,392 people
Kyle, TX
52,439 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Joplin's $51,154 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Kelly, NC
$51,155 median income
Avalon, PA
$51,156 median income
Covington, OH
$51,157 median income
Miltonvale, KS
$51,146 median income
Angier, NC
$51,162 median income
Pine Hollow, OR
$51,146 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Joplin, MO Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Joplin, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.8% 8.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.4% White 83.8% Black or African American 2.9% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.5% Some other race 1.7% Two or more races 8.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Joplin compares to nearby Missouri cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Joplin (this city) 52,218 $51,154
Florissant 51,915 $66,344
Chesterfield 49,591 $133,380
St. Peters 58,200 $89,827
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Joplin, MO?

What is the population of Joplin, MO? +

Joplin, MO counts 52,218 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Joplin, MO? +

The median household income in Joplin is $51,154 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Joplin? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Joplin; the closest available measure is the Missouri state average, a cost of living index of 90.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Missouri vary by metro area.

Is Joplin, MO safe? +

Joplin has a total crime rate of 4681.2 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Joplin, MO? +

Homes in Joplin carry a median value of $159,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Joplin? +

Joplin has an average annual temperature of 56.7°F, 45.8 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.