Located along Historic Route 66, Joplin, Mo., has always been one of the heartland's finest crossroads. The fourth-largest metro area in Missouri, this city has a thriving downtown district but maintains a friendly small-town atmosphere with all of the amenities of a big city. Near the crossing of four states - Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma - people looking for Joplin apartments for rent know that this area has a very diverse population. Apparently the word is out on this charming town, as well. According to City-Data, the city saw a 10 percent jump in population from 2000 to 2010, showing that Joplin is a popular place to live, work and play.
It is rumored that the city was named after popular ragtime composer Scott Joplin in the late 1800s; however, the area was actually named after the Reverend Harris Joplin, an early Methodist minister and one of Joplin's earliest settlers. The city was established in 1873 and quickly established itself as one of the nation's biggest hubs for zinc mining. Eventually, the city became a part of Americana, as it is one of the cities featured along Historic Route 66, one of America's earliest thoroughfares. Today, the city is recovering from a devastating tornado that struck in 2011, but Joplin is taking steps toward shaping its future. Many residents are also attracted to living in Joplin because it is easy on their wallet. According to City-Data, residents enjoy a cost of living index that is 16 points below the national average.
One of the city's most special events that happens every summer in Joplin is Boomtown Days, a three-day extravaganza that promotes community development. Filled with music, entertainment, activities for kids and food vendors, this festival occurs every August in beautiful Landreth Park.
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