Neosho, Missouri

Neosho (/niːˈoʊʃoʊ/; originally is the most populous city in Newton County, Missouri, United States, which it serves as the county seat. With a population of 12,590 as of the 2020 census, the city is part of the Joplin, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area, a region with an estimated 200,771 (2020) residents. Neosho lies on the western edge of the Ozarks. The cost of living in Neosho is low at about 9.9% less than the Missouri average and 17.9% less than the national average.

Neosho, Missouri
City
Newton County Courthouse, 2006
Nickname(s):  City of Springs, Flower Box City, Gateway to the Ozarks
Location of Neosho, Missouri
Coordinates: 36°51′20″N 94°22′35″W
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Newton
Founded	1829
Incorporated	August 20, 1847, again in 1878
Government
• Type	Council-Manager
Area
• Total	15.77 sq mi (40.86 km2)
• Land	15.75 sq mi (40.80 km2)
• Water	0.02 sq mi (0.06 km2)
Elevation	1,037 ft (316 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	12,590
• Density	800/sq mi (310/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	64850
Area code	417
FIPS code	29-51572
GNIS feature ID	0723172
Website	www.neoshomo.org

History

The name "Neosho" is generally accepted to be of Native American origin. It may be Osage language and means "clear, cold water", referring to local freshwater springs. The springs attracted several cultures of Native American inhabitants for thousands of years. It was also attracted the later white settlers. The city was founded in 1833. It was incorporated. Nicknamed "City of Springs", Neosho has long served as an agricultural center. Since 1888, it is the home of the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, the oldest in the National Fish Hatchery System. It is known locally as the "Gateway to the Ozarks".