Nixa, Missouri Facts for Kids

Nixa is a city in Christian County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 23,257. 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.

History
Geography
Demographics
- 2010 census
Festivals
Economy
Education
Infrastructure
Notable people
See also

History

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 it was suggested the town be named for him. Another suggestion was "nix" because the community was "nothing but a crossroads". It was finally decided to take the name Nix and add Inman's middle initial "a" 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 of it land. The modern day 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%
2019 (est.)	22,515	18.4%
U.S. Decennial Census

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.

Festivals

Nixa Sucker Day - A local barber named Finis Gold started Nixa Sucker Day in 1957, and it has since been a longstanding tradition with the people of Nixa, Missouri. Locals would often close up shop and skip school for the day to go grabbin’ for Suckers. The fish were then frozen until there was enough for a big fish fry. Nixa Sucker Day was the result of this annual tradition. This event provides fun for the whole family, along with good food and lots of entertainment. The event is held during the month of May. Sucker Day isn’t just about the great food and fun activities here in Nixa. Proceeds from Sucker Day activities are used to assist many worthwhile projects right here in our fair city, such as:

Scholarships awarded to graduates from Nixa High School. Donations to Project Graduation. Donations to Nixa JROTC. Donations to various organizations in the Nixa Community.

Economy

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

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

Nixa has a bowling alley named Century Lanes.

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 6th 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.

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
Mickey Owen: Professional baseball player and coach

Nixa, Missouri facts for kids

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