Home › Missouri › Joplin

Joplin, Missouri

A city defined by resilience, Joplin was built on lead and zinc mining wealth along Route 66, then devastated by a catastrophic EF5 tornado in 2011 that killed 158 people — the deadliest single tornado in America since 1947. The city's remarkable rebuilding became a national story of community strength.
Trending in Joplin
Latest updates coming soon
2 hours ago
More local news on the way
5 hours ago
Founded 1871 | Population 51,000 | Peak 51,000 (2024) | County Jasper/Newton County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Joplin, Missouri

undefined
1871 Founded: Joplin was established at the center of the Tri-State Mining District for lead and zinc.
undefined
1903 Mining Peak: Joplin became the lead and zinc capital of the world, producing much of the nation's supply.
undefined
1926 Route 66: Route 66 was established running through Joplin, bringing travelers and commerce through the city.
undefined
1943 Bonnie & Clyde: Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow had a famous shootout with police at an apartment in Joplin.
undefined
2011 EF5 Tornado: An EF5 tornado killed 158 people and destroyed one-third of Joplin — the deadliest U.S. tornado since 1947.
🧠
How Well Do You Know Joplin?
5 questions • 2 minutes
Take the Quiz →

Latest News in Joplin

Jan 1, 1970
Missouri High School Students Walk Out Protest Transgender Girl
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 7, 2016) — Tensions boiled over at a Missouri high school on Monday when dozens of students staged a …
Jan 1, 1970
Missouri Lawmakers Consider Bills Both Sides Gun Debate
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (March 3, 2016) – In the midst of a heated national conversation on firearms, Missouri’s lawmakers too…
Jan 1, 1970
Kdxqcoiafjntevr
Washington, D.C. – On January 15, 2016, a crowd of several thousand people filled the National Mall to mark what would have been…
Jan 1, 1970
Missouri Mailman Saves Elderly Womans Life
St. Louis, Missouri (January 11, 2016) – In a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of town, a routine mail delivery turned into a…
Jan 1, 1970
Missouri Lawmakers Consider Both Bills Both Sides Gun Debate
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — On December 2, 2015, Missouri lawmakers dove into a heated discussion over a pair of bills that captured t…
Jan 1, 1970
Missouri Lawmakers Consider New Gun Bills
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — On September 4, 2015, Missouri lawmakers dove into heated discussions over a slate of new gun bills that c…

Complete Historical Timeline

1871 Industry
Founded
1903 Industry
Mining Peak
1926 Transport
Route 66
1943 Crime
Bonnie & Clyde
2011 Disaster
EF5 Tornado

Did You Know?

1
2011 EF5 tornado killed 158 — deadliest since 1947.
2
Route 66 passes through Joplin.
3
Was 'Lead and Zinc Capital.'.
4
Joplin is located in Jasper/Newton County, Missouri.
5
Joplin was founded in 1871.

Famous People from Joplin, Missouri

LH
Langston Hughes
Writer, Poet · Born Feb 1, 1901 · Died May 22, 1967 (age 66)
RC
Robert Cummings
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Jun 9, 1910 · Died Dec 2, 1990 (age 80)
DW
Dennis Weaver
Screenwriter, Actor · Born Jun 4, 1924 · Died Feb 24, 2006 (age 81)
PS
Pauline Starke
Actor, Film Actor · Born Jan 10, 1901 · Died Feb 3, 1977 (age 76)
CP
Carl Pomerance
Mathematician, University Teacher · Born Nov 24, 1944 · Age 81

Other Cities in Missouri

View all Missouri cities →
KC
Kansas City
Pop. 508,090
SL
St. Louis
Pop. 301,578
S
Springfield
Pop. 171,315
I
Independence
Pop. 120,000
LS
Lee's Summit
Pop. 106,000
O
O'Fallon
Pop. 92,000
See something that needs correcting?
We take accuracy seriously. Help us keep Joplin's history right.