From the Joplin, Missouri City Website:
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"Joplin is located in southwest Missouri in the "four states" region encompassing Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas. At the edge of the Ozark Mountain region, Joplin has a current population of 49,024. The daytime population swells to 270,000 while the population within a 40-mile radius of Joplin is 400,000, making it Missouri’s fourth largest metropolitan area. Joplin combines the beauty and hospitality of country living with the convenience and commerce of city vitality.
Incorporated in 1873, the City of Joplin is a full-service municipality. It operates under the Council-Manager form of government and has approximately 400 employees delivering a variety of services to the regional community.
Joplin is readily accessible to eight major lakes, numerous clear-water streams, and a number of entertainment and vacation attractions. Located at the crossroads of Interstate Highway 44 and U.S. Highway 71, Joplin serves as the commercial, cultural, financial, educational, medical, recreational and transportation center of a 5,000 square-mile area. Joplin’s regional airport provides ready access to major transportation centers and is served by Great Lakes Air to Kansas City, MO.
Joplin’s lively interest in cultural activities includes history, arts, concerts, theater and dance. George A. Spiva Center for the Arts features a continuous rotation of famous exhibits, a regional focus gallery, and art instruction for both children and adults. Joplin Little Theater, the oldest continuous community theater west of the Mississippi, allows a creative outlet for local residents. In addition, local colleges and universities offer various cultural opportunities, including the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition. Joplin's Memorial Hall is also a popular venue for concerts and other entertainment events.
A diverse and brisk economy supports the needs of industry in this rapidly growing region. The local economy realizes $220 million direct income each year from tourism which is supported by more than 2,000 hotel rooms and 150 restaurants. In addition to excellent schools, churches, and community activities, Joplin offers a cost of living that is among the most desirable of any city of its size in the country. ACCRA (American Chamber of Commerce Researchers’ Association) currently computes cost of living in Joplin to be 81.6% of the national average for metropolitan areas (Q1-2007). For residential housing, Joplin offers one of best values in the United States. The average value of existing homes in the area is $72,540. New three-bedroom homes typically range from $70,000 to $105,000.
There are several institutions of higher education located in Joplin including Missouri Southern State University, which had a Spring 2004 enrollment of 6,500 plus full-time and part-time students. Other institutions include Ozark Christian College, Messenger College, Vatterott College and the Franklin Technology Center.
Health care providers and related businesses are among the major employers in the area. There are more than 300 physicians and surgeons and over 100 dentists located in Joplin. Providing emergency medical services to residents of the area are St. John’s Regional Medical Center and Freeman Health System. Combined, the hospitals have nearly 750 beds. St. John’s and Freeman hospitals both operate Level II Trauma Centers."