Nixa, Missouri

Nixa is a city in Christian County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 19,022.[5] The population was estimated at 22,515 in 2019. It is a principal city, and the second largest city in the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Nixa, Missouri
City
Flag
Seal
Motto(s): 
The Progressive Choice of the Ozarks
Location of Nixa, Missouri
Coordinates: 37°2′43″N 93°17′56″W
CountryUnited States
StateMissouri
CountyChristian
Incorporated1946
Government
 • MayorBrian Steele
Area
 • Total9.11 sq mi (23.60 km2)
 • Land9.11 sq mi (23.59 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
1,296 ft (395 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total19,022
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
22,515
 • Density2,472.27/sq mi (954.60/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
65714
Area code(s)417
FIPS code29-52616[3]
GNIS feature ID0723380[4]
Websitewww.nixa.com

History

The area was first settled by farmers who located their farms along the wooded streams near present-day Nixa.[6] The area became a crossroads, as it was a half-day ride with a team of horses from Springfield.[6] Teamsters found it a convenient stopover site when hauling freight between Springfield and Arkansas.[6] The village became known as Faughts.[7] An early resident, Nicholas A. Inman, was a blacksmith from Tennessee, who set up a shop in 1852.[6] When a post office was opened, a town meeting was held to decide on a name for the new community. Because of his years of service to the community, the town was suggested to be named for him.[6] Another suggestion was "nix" because the community was "nothing but a crossroads".[6] The name Nix was finally decided upon, and Inman's middle initial "a" was added to get the unique name of Nixa.[6] The village incorporated on June 10, 1902.[6]

Geography

Nixa is located at 37°2′43″N 93°17′56″W (37.045253, -93.298755).[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.48 square miles (21.96 km2), all land.[9] The modern city rests on and around seven hills.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1910276—
192037034.1%
1930307−17.0%
194037020.5%
195050937.6%
196099495.3%
19701,63664.6%
19802,66262.7%
19904,70776.8%
200012,124157.6%
201019,02256.9%
2019 (est.)22,515[2]18.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

2000 census

As of the US Census[3] of 2000, 12,124 people, 4,654 households, and 3,448 families resided in the city. The population density was 1,969.1 people per square mile (759.9/km2). The 4,962 housing units averaged 805.9 per square mile (311.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.43% White, 0.46% African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.26% of the population.

Of the 4,654 households, 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were not families. About 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the city, the population was distributed as 28.4% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 34.5% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,655, and for a family was $44,556. Males had a median income of $33,636 versus $21,737 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,774. About 8.1% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census[10] of 2010, 19,022 people, 7,264 households, and 5,280 families lived in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 94.4% White, 0.9% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.1% of the population.

Of the 7,264 households, 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 12.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.3% were not families. About 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 34.2 years; 28.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.4% were from 25 to 44; 21.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.4% male and 52.6% female.

Education

Currently, Nixa Public Schools operates four elementary schools for students in kindergarten through fourth grade: Helen-Matthews Elementary, Espy Elementary, Century Elementary, and the newest, High Pointe Elementary (named because it sits on the highest elevation in Christian County), opened in August 2007. Two intermediate schools serve students in the fifth and sixth grades: Inman Intermediate and Summit Intermediate. One junior high school, Nixa Junior High, and one high school, Nixa Public High School are in the district. A magnet school, John Thomas School of Discovery, hosts kindergarten through 6th grade.

Infrastructure

The city of Nixa began construction on the largest solar farm in Missouri in June 2017 and it was completed and operational in November 2017.[11][12] The solar farm has 33,288 solar panels located on 72-acres and provides an estimated 9% of the city's power needs.[11][13] Sen. Jay Wasson owns the land on which the solar farm is being built. The farm has a life expectancy of 25 years.[12]

In 2015, Nixa became a gigabit city with the upgrade of its internet system.[14]

Economy

Nixa is home to Accurate Plastics, as well as another plastic service located next door to Accurate Plastics named Diversified Plastics.

In 2011, B&B Theatres built a cinema between Ozark and Nixa along Route 14.[15]

Nixa is also home to a bowling alley, named Century Lanes.

Politics

Nixa is part of Missouri's 7th congressional district.

Annual Sucker Day

A local barber named Finis Gold started Nixa Sucker Day in 1957, and it has since been a longstanding tradition. Locals often closed up shop and skipped school for the day to go "grabbin’ for suckers". The fish were then frozen until enough were available for a big fish fry. Nixa Sucker Day was the result of this annual tradition.

The event is held annually during May. It is a family-friendly event held on Nixa's Main Street. Sucker fish and other kinds of food are sold by vendors. There are live entertainment and local crafts. Proceeds from Sucker Day activities are used to assist projects in the city such as scholarships to graduates from Nixa High School, donations to Project Graduation, and Nixa JROTC.[16]

Notable people

In the Robert Ludlum novels and films (fiction), Nixa is the birthplace of Jason Bourne/David Webb. The Bourne Supremacy revealed that Bourne's real name was David Webb and that he was born in Nixa, Missouri.[18]

Several streets in a residential neighborhood northeast of downtown are named for performers on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee, including Nixa native Slim Wilson. They include Slim Wilson Boulevard, Red Foley Court, Zed Tennis Street, Bill Ring Court, (Speedy) Haworth Court and Ozark Jubilee Drive. M[19]

A 2013 episode of the Investigation Discovery television series Beauty Queen Murder featured a murder in Nixa. The 1985 death of Jackie Johns was not solved until 2010, when DNA evidence proved that fellow Nixa resident Gerald Carnahan had raped and murdered the young woman.[20]

Radio Stations

References
  1. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "2010 City Population and Housing Occupancy Status". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 9, 2012.
  6. "History of Nixa". City of Nixa, Missouri. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  7. by Michelle Korgis-Fitzpatrick (July 2002). "A Trip Back into the History of Time". Michelle Korgis-Fitzpatrick. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  8. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2011-02-20. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  11. "Nixa to finally break ground on massive solar farm as sun power grows in Missouri". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved 2017-07-08.
  12. Schmitt, Will (November 14, 2017). "Nixa's massive new solar farm is part of the shift to responsible, renewable power policy". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  13. "Nixa Solar Farm | Nixa, MO". www.nixa.com. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  14. "'Blazing fast' Internet speed now in Nixa". Springfield News-Leader. Retrieved 2017-07-08.
  15. "B & B Ozark-Nixa 12 with Marquee Suites". B&B Theatres. Retrieved 2012-03-30.
  16. "Nixa Sucker Day". www.nixasuckerday.org. Retrieved 2017-09-08.
  17. "William F. (Franklin) Austin". Minnesota Science and Technology Hall of Fame. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  18. "Bourne in Missouri". The Pitch/KC Communications, LLC. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
  19. "Google Maps". Google, Inc. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
  20. "Carnahan Found Guilty of Jackie Johns Rape, Murder". Ozarks First. Retrieved 19 January 2018.
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