Why would anyone want to buy real estate in Joplin, Missouri?

REASON #2

Schools!

The Joplin School District was recently "Accredited with Distinction" for the third year in a row. That indicates that the district has made good progress in all areas under review. The adjoining districts of Webb City, Seneca and Carl Junction have also received the same rating this year and in several previous years. In the area of ACT testing the three school districts did much better than the State average, being joined by the Diamond school district that had the highest average. The class sizes rarely exceed 25 students per teacher, and the teaching staff is quite dedicated to their profession (that is, teaching!) All this achievement in spite of the fact that the school funding here (Dollars per Pupil) is almost the lowest in the nation. That alone speaks for the quality of the teachers and the fallacy of curing school problems with money. We obviously have some of the finest school administration and staffing in the nation. The Joplin Missouri real estate market is very much affected by the reputation of the schools, since that is one of the primary values of the local lifestyle.

Another hallmark of the schools here is the athletic programs. All of the districts excel, but Webb City alone has held numerous State Championships in Football, Basketball and Baseball. UPDATE June 13th:: The Webb City Baseball Team has just won their second consecutive State Championship (with no Senior players - bodes well for the third title next year!).November 24th: Webb City today won their 7th State Football Championship (Class 4).Go Cardinals!!
I guess you would have to add the Music program as well, since the Webb City Marching Bank participated in the most recent Rose Bowl Parade.

And of course we do have Missouri Southern State University, previously Joplin Junior College, but on it's way to becoming one of the outstanding universities in the state. Of special note is the annual international piano competition drawing contestants from all over the world.