Jasper County
Jasper County,
Missouri covers 642 square miles in the southwestern portion of the state,
with the lovely
Spring River meandering through many of its communities. Jasper County took
its name from
William Jasper, a Georgian hero from the American Revolution.
Jasper County, MO reported its population as 104,686 during the
2000 Census. Estimates taken in 2005
show an increase to almost 108,000. Jasper County’s largest city is
Joplin, population 45,504.
Carthage, the historic county seat, had 12,668 residents, while Jasper
County’s twenty other
communities are smaller. All of Jasper County lies within the
Joplin Metropolitan Area, population nearly 400,000, making it the 4th
largest metro area in Missouri.
Joplin acts as the cultural, commercial, medical and educational hub for
Jasper County and a 5,000-square mile area around it. The
Joplin Regional Airport provides access to a number of major destinations,
including the
Kansas City International Airport. Joplin’s location, at the crossroads of
Interstate Highways 44 and 71, makes it a key center for transportation and
commerce.
Joplin boasts a strong and vital economy, well-diversified and showing
steady growth. The tourism industry in this scenic region brings in over $220
million dollars annually.
Jasper County's cost of living stays well below national averages, and
housing costs in Joplin offer some of the best real estate deals in the
nation. Known as
"Convention City" for its top-notch facilities, Joplin has a large number of
attractions to keep visitors entertained. Joplin is home to
Missouri Southern State University,
Ozark Christian College and
Messenger College.
Jasper County’s gracious city of
Carthage combines stunning 19th century architecture and an
abundance of old-growth maple trees, to create a charming and colorful
ambience. Carthage’s historic
Downtown District is one of Missouri’s largest areas listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. A family-friendly city, Carthage has
a number of
child-oriented attractions. Physically active individuals here enjoy a
number of
recreational facilities, including horseback riding trails, skating rinks
and golf courses.
Carthage offers the best in retail
shopping, with some vendors specializing in items unique to the Ozarks. A
variety of
eating establishments await patrons, with everything from down-home Southern
cooking to fine foreign cuisine. This unique community claims the title,
“America’s Maple Leaf City” and epitomizes the spirit of Jasper County.
Joplin is the center for the arts in Jasper County, MO. The
Joplin Little Theater is the oldest continuing community theater west of the
Mississippi . The
George A. Spiva Center For The Arts offers art instruction, an outstanding
gallery, and a continuous rotation of world-renowned exhibits. Jasper County’s
college and universities provide much in the way of cultural education and
activities, like the
Missouri Southern International Piano Competition.
Jasper County,
Missouri offers prosperous cities and tiny communities,
with stable growth at such a pace that the charm and ambience of the area will
remain unspoiled. Jasper County looks forward to a promising future.
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