History

Flag of Nixa in use from 2017 to 2023

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

Geography

Nixa is located at 37°2′43″N 93°17′56″W / 37.04528°N 93.29889°W / 37.04528; -93.29889 (37.045253, -93.298755). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.48 square miles (21.96 km²), all land. The modern city rests on and around seven hills.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1910	276	—
1920	370	34.1%
1930	307	−17.0%
1940	370	20.5%
1950	509	37.6%
1960	994	95.3%
1970	1,636	64.6%
1980	2,662	62.7%
1990	4,707	76.8%
2000	12,124	157.6%
2010	19,022	56.9%
2020	23,257	22.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

**Nixa city, Missouri – Racial and ethnic composition**
*Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.*
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	11,697	17,625	20,228	96.48%	92.66%	86.98%
Black or African American alone (NH)	56	167	258	0.46%	0.88%	1.11%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	43	114	129	0.35%	0.60%	0.55%
Asian alone (NH)	50	152	269	0.41%	0.80%	1.16%
Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian alone (NH)	2	11	33	0.02%	0.06%	0.14%
Other race alone (NH)	7	3	59	0.06%	0.00%	0.25%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	116	355	1,401	0.96%	1.87%	6.02%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	153	595	880	1.26%	3.13%	3.78%
Total	12,124	19,022	23,257	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 23,257 people, 8,170 households, and 5,899 families in Nixa. The population density was 2,500.8 per square mile (965.8/km²). There were 8,711 housing units at an average density of 936.7 per square mile (361.8/km²). The racial makeup was 88.32% (20,540) white, 1.13% (262) black or African-American, 0.65% (151) Native American, 1.19% (277) Asian, 0.14% (33) Pacific Islander, 1.26% (293) from other races, and 7.31% (1,701) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 3.9% (868) of the population.

Of the 8,170 households, 38.1% had children under the age of 18; 58.0% were married couples living together; 23.1% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 24.2% consisted of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.7 and the average family size was 3.2.

24.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 104.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 97.3 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $63,176 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,286) and the median family income was $69,874 (+/- $4,707). Males had a median income of $41,770 (+/- $3,651) versus $26,480 (+/- $3,003) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $35,059 (+/- $3,052). Approximately, 6.1% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census 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

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 sixth grade. Ozarks Technical Community college Richwood Valley Campus is in the Nixa zip code.

Infrastructure

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

Economy

Nixa is home to Accurate Plastics, as well as another plastic service located adjacent to Accurate Plastics named Diversified Plastics. Nixa is home to a train part manufacturer, Snyders Equipment Company, division of New York Air Brake. Also hailing from the community, Aire-Master, a deodorizer brand that specializes in commercial applications, such as restroom air freshener dispensers. Nixa Hardware, established in 1899, is also in the city.

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

Nixa has a bowling alley named Century Lanes, a go cart track, named 160 Grand Prix, and Southwest Missouri's first food court, 14 Mill Market.

Annual Sucker Day

Finis Gold, mayor of Nixa, a barber and local American Legion commander, started the annual Nixa Sucker Day in 1957. It has been a longstanding tradition. Locals often close up shop or skip school for the day to go "grabbin’ for suckers". The fish are then frozen until enough available for a big fish fry.

The event is held annually during May. It is a family-friendly event held on Nixa's Main Street, with live entertainment and local crafts. Sucker fish and other kinds of food are sold by vendors. Proceeds from Sucker Day activities help fund local causes such as scholarships for graduates from Nixa High School, Project Graduation, and Nixa JROTC.

Notable people

William F. Austin: CEO of Starkey Hearing Technologies
Dean Deetz: Professional baseball pitcher
Courtney Frerichs: American middle-distance runner, and Olympian
Jim Kreider: served as Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives
David Krol: Professional bowler, winner of the 2024 PBA Playoffs
Mickey Owen: Professional baseball player and coach
Chase Allen: Ex NFL player, current UFL Player

Radio Stations

KGBX-FM

Nixa, Missouri facts for kids

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