Nixa, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Nixa is a city in Christian County
, Missouri
, United States
. The population was 12,124 at the 2000 census, though a 2009 estimate places it at 19,458. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.1 km²), all of it land. The modern day city rests on and around seven hills.
of 2000, there were 12,124 people, 4,654 households, and 3,448 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,969.1 people per square mile (759.9/km²). There were 4,962 housing units at an average density of 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.26% of the population.
There were 4,654 households out of which 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 non-families. 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 spread out with 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 the median income 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.
) in the Robert Ludlum
novels and films.
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.
In 2009/2010, former Street Department superintendent Larry Covington and former employee David Griggs were charged with stealing over $750,000 from the City of Nixa through the use of fraudulent business bank accounts.
Because of these controversies a watchdog group was formed in the summer of 2011, calling themselves Nixa Watch.
Christian County, Missouri
Christian County is a county located in Southwest Missouri. The county had a population of 54,285 in 2000 census. According to the 2010 census, the county's population is 77,422 , making it the fastest growing county in Missouri and one of the fastest growing in the nation as the county becomes...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 12,124 at the 2000 census, though a 2009 estimate places it at 19,458. It is part of the Springfield, Missouri
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area
The Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of five counties in southwestern Missouri, anchored by the city of Springfield - the state's third largest city. Other primary population centers in the metro area include Nixa, Ozark,...
.
Geography
Nixa is located at 37°2′43"N 93°17′56"W (37.045253, -93.298755).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.1 km²), all of it land. The modern day city rests on and around seven hills.
Demographics
As of the US CensusUnited States Census
The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution. The population is enumerated every 10 years and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats , electoral votes, and government program funding. The United States Census Bureau The United States Census...
of 2000, there were 12,124 people, 4,654 households, and 3,448 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,969.1 people per square mile (759.9/km²). There were 4,962 housing units at an average density of 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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.26% of the population.
There were 4,654 households out of which 40.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 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 spread out with 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 the median income for a family was $44,556. Males had a median income of $33,636 versus $21,737 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
History
Nixa was named after Nicholas A. Inman, a blacksmith who lived in the Nixa area at the time of establishment. The first four letters in Nicholas' name were added to his middle initial, which is A, hence the city name: Nixa. Family descendants owned the majority of the land around Nixa out to what is now Cox Road. Many of the family members still live in this area, in towns like Billings, Republic, and Springfield. A great-great-grandnephew of Inman's was elected mayor of Billings, Missouri. Some of Inman's family members are buried at Patterson Cemetery, located just off Hwy. 160. Nixa is the only city bearing that name in the world.Education
All the schools in Nixa are public. Currently, the Nixa R-2 School District operates five elementary schools for students in kindergarten through fourth grade, Matthews, Thomas, Espy, Century, and the newest, High Pointe Elementary (named so because it sits on the highest elevation in Christian County) opened in August 2007. There are also two intermediate schools for students in the fifth and sixth grades—Inman and Summit; one junior high school; and one high school. The old Main Street Elementary School building will become an administrative building—keeping the Early Childhood center. The district is widely considered one of the best in Missouri, receiving the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's Distinction in Performance Award for the each of the last five years. Its Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) scores surpassed state averages in all 10 assessments.Film and TV references
Nixa is the birthplace of fictional character David Webb (who becomes Jason BourneJason Bourne
Jason Charles Bourne is a fictional character and the main protagonist in the novels of Robert Ludlum and subsequent film adaptations. He first appeared in the novel The Bourne Identity...
) in the Robert Ludlum
Robert Ludlum
Robert Ludlum was an American author of 23 thriller novels. The number of his books in print is estimated between 290–500 million copies. They have been published in 33 languages and 40 countries. Ludlum also published books under the pseudonyms Jonathan Ryder and Michael Shepherd.-Life and...
novels and films.
Several streets in a residential neighborhood northeast of downtown are named for performers on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee
Ozark Jubilee
Ozark Jubilee is the first U.S. network television program to feature country music's top stars, and was the centerpiece of a strategy for Springfield, Missouri to challenge Nashville, Tennessee as America's country music capital...
, including Nixa native Slim Wilson
Slim Wilson
Clyde Carol Wilson , better known as Slim Wilson, was an American singer, songwriter, bandleader, and radio and TV personality who was a cornerstone of country music in the Ozarks for more than 50 years beginning in the 1930s; both in his own right, and as a member of The Goodwill Family and The...
. They include Slim Wilson Boulevard, Red Foley
Red Foley
Clyde Julian Foley , better known as Red Foley, was an American singer, musician, and radio and TV personality who made a major contribution to the growth of country music after World War II....
Court, Zed Tennis Street, Bill Ring Court, (Speedy) Haworth
Speedy Haworth
Herschel Haworth, Jr. , better known as Speedy Haworth, was an American guitarist and singer who was involved with the golden age of country music broadcasting in the Ozarks...
Court and Ozark Jubilee Drive.
Controversies
In 2009, Nixa Mayor Brian Hayes was arrested for DWI. He pleaded not guilty, but eight months later changed his plea to guilty and was impeached by the Board of Aldermen.In 2009/2010, former Street Department superintendent Larry Covington and former employee David Griggs were charged with stealing over $750,000 from the City of Nixa through the use of fraudulent business bank accounts.
Because of these controversies a watchdog group was formed in the summer of 2011, calling themselves Nixa Watch.
External links
- Nixa R-2 School District
- City of Nixa
- Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce
- http://www.nixaxpress.comNixa XPress newspaper