Nixa, Missouri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nixa, Missouri
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| Motto(s):
The Progressive Choice of the Ozarks
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Location of Nixa, Missouri
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Missouri | ||
| County | Christian | ||
| Incorporated | 1946 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 9.30 sq mi (24.09 km2) | ||
| • Land | 9.30 sq mi (24.08 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 1,296 ft (395 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 23,257 | ||
| • Density | 2,501.56/sq mi (965.83/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
65714
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| Area code(s) | 417 | ||
| FIPS code | 29-52616 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0723380 | ||
Nixa is a city in Christian County, Missouri, in the United States. In 2020, about 23,257 people lived there. It is a main city in the Springfield, Missouri area.
Contents
History of Nixa
Farmers first settled in the Nixa area. They built their farms near the wooded streams. The area became a busy crossroads. It was a half-day trip by horse from Springfield.
People who drove wagons, called teamsters, often stopped here. They were hauling goods between Springfield and Arkansas. The village was first known as Faughts.
A blacksmith named Nicholas A. Inman moved there in 1852. He was from Tennessee. When a post office opened, the town held a meeting. They needed to choose a name for their new community.
Some people suggested naming the town after Nicholas Inman. Others thought of "nix" because it was "nothing but a crossroads." They finally chose the name Nix. Then, Inman's middle initial "a" was added. This gave the town its unique name, Nixa. The village officially became a city on June 10, 1902.
Geography of Nixa
Nixa is located at 37°2′43″N 93°17′56″W / 37.04528°N 93.29889°W. The city covers about 8.48 square miles (21.96 square kilometers) of land. Nixa is built on and around seven hills.
Population and People
| 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 | |||
2020 Population Details
In 2020, the United States census counted 23,257 people in Nixa. There were 8,170 households, which are groups of people living together. About 5,899 of these were families.
Most people in Nixa are white. There are also people of Black, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander backgrounds. Some people identify with two or more races. About 3.9% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
About 38% of households had children under 18 years old. Many households (58%) were married couples. The average household had about 2.7 people.
The median age in Nixa was 34.8 years. This means half the people were younger and half were older. About 24.8% of the population was under 18. About 13.5% were 65 years or older.
2010 Population Details
In 2010, Nixa had 19,022 people. There were 7,264 households. Most people were white (94.4%). About 3.1% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 41.6% of households had children under 18. Many households (56%) were married couples living together. The average household size was 2.59 people.
The median age was 34.2 years. About 28.8% of residents were under 18. About 12.3% were 65 or older.
Education in Nixa
Nixa Public Schools runs several schools. There are four elementary schools for students in kindergarten through fourth grade. These are Helen-Matthews, Espy, Century, and High Pointe Elementary. High Pointe opened in 2007 and is on the highest point in Christian County.
Two intermediate schools serve fifth and sixth graders: Inman Intermediate and Summit Intermediate. Nixa Junior High is for middle school students. Nixa Public High School is for older students. There is also a special school called John Thomas School of Discovery for kindergarten through sixth grade.
Ozarks Technical Community College has a campus in the Nixa area. It is called the Richwood Valley Campus.
City Infrastructure
Nixa built a large solar farm in 2017. It is the biggest solar farm in Missouri. The farm has 33,288 solar panels. They cover 72 acres of land.
This solar farm provides about 9% of the city's electricity. It is expected to work for 25 years.
Economy and Businesses
Nixa is home to several businesses. Accurate Plastics and Diversified Plastics are here. They both work with plastic.
Snyders Equipment Company, a division of New York Air Brake, makes train parts in Nixa. Aire-Master is another company from Nixa. They make air fresheners for places like restrooms. Nixa Hardware, a local store, has been open since 1899.
In 2011, B&B Theatres built a movie theater. It is located between Ozark and Nixa, along Route 14.
Nixa also has fun places. There is a bowling alley called Century Lanes. You can also find a go-kart track called 160 Grand Prix. The city also has Southwest Missouri's first food court, called 14 Mill Market.
Annual Sucker Day
Nixa has a special event called Annual Sucker Day. Finis Gold, who was the mayor and a barber, started it in 1957. It has been a tradition ever since.
On this day, many locals close their shops or skip school. They go "grabbin’ for suckers," which are a type of fish. The fish are frozen and saved for a big fish fry later.
The event happens every May on Nixa's Main Street. It is a family-friendly day with live music and local crafts. Vendors sell sucker fish and other foods. The money raised helps local causes. This includes scholarships for Nixa Public High School graduates and support for 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: Former NFL player, current UFL Player
Radio Stations
- KGBX-FM
See also
In Spanish: Nixa (Misuri) para niños
