Missouri's Six Most Neighborly Cities of 2025: A Celebration of Connection, Kindness and Community

In a world that often feels increasingly disconnected, these six Missouri cities are proving that neighborliness isn’t a thing of the past—it’s alive, thriving, and transforming communities across the state. Using a comprehensive “Participation Index” that considered everything from city size and acts of neighboring to proclamations, business engagement, and community campaigns, the 2025 Top Six Most Neighborly Cities have been announced.

Here’s a deeper look into the cities that are setting the standard for community spirit in Missouri this year:

1. Springfield (Greene County): The Neighboring Capital of Missouri

Once again, Springfield leads the way in statewide neighborliness. This vibrant city topped the charts in nearly every category: number of acts of neighboring, engaged neighbor nominations, pledge participation, and city-wide campaigns.

What sets Springfield apart is its community-wide embrace of the neighboring movement. Volunteer-led block parties were held across multiple neighborhoods, often with support from the city. KY3-TV regularly aired public service announcements encouraging neighboring, keeping the message front and center. And with 22 nominations for “Most Engaged Neighbor,” it’s clear that everyday acts of kindness are deeply rooted in Springfield’s culture.

This city continues to show how consistent, collaborative efforts between residents, media, and local government can build stronger, more connected neighborhoods.

2. Manchester (St. Louis County): A Civic Commitment to Connection

In Manchester, neighborliness is more than a trend—it’s a shared civic value. With leadership from city officials, local businesses, and residents, Manchester launched a highly visible neighboring campaign that reached across all corners of the community.

One of the most memorable moments was the “Table Together” community meal, where residents came together to share food, stories, and fellowship. Manchester also brought neighboring to local parades and events, turning ordinary city gatherings into opportunities for connection. Their intentional, city-supported outreach reflects what’s possible when neighboring becomes a priority across all sectors of community life.

3. Fremont Hills (Christian County): Small but Mighty in Neighborly Action

This small city proves that population size has nothing to do with the size of a community’s heart. Fremont Hills showed remarkable creativity and initiative, especially for a city of its scale.

Residents took the lead in securing an official proclamation recognizing Neighboring Week, nominated their most helpful neighbors, and collaborated with city officials to celebrate and elevate the importance of kindness and connection. Fremont Hills demonstrates how meaningful community-building can flourish when residents are empowered to take ownership of their neighborhoods.

4. Excelsior Springs (Clay County): A Year-Round Celebration of Neighboring

Excelsior Springs embraced neighboring as a year-round commitment. From individual block parties to a community-wide celebration during Neighboring Week, the city created multiple touchpoints for engagement.

Their neighboring program combined personal connections with city-wide coordination. Residents nominated outstanding neighbors, and the city continued to support ongoing campaigns that encouraged daily acts of kindness. In Excelsior Springs, neighboring isn’t just a one-time event—it’s an ongoing way of life.

5. Houston (Texas County): Where Roses Bloom and Neighbors Thrive

Houston stood out with its beautifully simple yet powerfully impactful “Rose for a Neighbor” campaign. With over 3,000 neighbor-to-neighbor touches, the initiative captured hearts across the city.

Fueled by volunteers and supported by local businesses, the campaign offered residents a tangible way to show appreciation and care. It’s a reminder that sometimes, small gestures—a rose, a kind word, a thoughtful note—can have a big impact. Houston’s deep engagement and creativity demonstrate how rural communities can lead in building meaningful social connections.

6. Lee’s Summit (Jackson County): A City-Wide Tapestry of Connection

Lee’s Summit made its mark with a city-supported, multi-layered approach to neighboring. Through partnerships between city government, neighborhood groups, and individual residents, Lee’s Summit created a model for what intentional, sustained neighboring can look like at scale.

Whether through community events, recognition programs, or public campaigns, the city infused the value of neighborliness into its civic identity. Lee’s Summit shows that when a city fully commits to fostering connection, the ripple effects are felt in every corner of the community.

Honorable Mentions: Communities on the Rise

Several other cities also showed impressive dedication to neighborliness and were recognized with honorable mentions. Hats off to Aurora, Hume, Kansas City, Republic, and Nixa for their strong participation and creative approaches to building community spirit.

Official Recognition and Celebration

All six of the top cities will be formally recognized this fall with a commemorative plaque and a special logo designating them as a 2025 Most Neighborly City. This honor not only celebrates their achievements but also inspires others across Missouri to follow their lead.

Final Thoughts: Why Neighboring Matters

In an age where many people feel isolated, efforts like these remind us of the power of human connection. Whether it’s through a shared meal, a thoughtful campaign, or simply getting to know the person next door, neighboring has the power to build stronger, safer, and more joyful communities.

Missouri’s Most Neighborly Cities of 2025 show us what’s possible when kindness is a shared priority—and they’re setting the stage for others to follow.

Let’s all take a page from their playbook and find new ways to be a great neighbor. After all, it’s not just about living next to each other—it’s about truly showing up for one another.

Interested in making your city more neighborly? Start small—host a block party, check in on a neighbor, or organize a community event. Big changes start with small acts of connection.

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or burtond@missouri.edu. You can also visit his website at https://engagedneighbor.com.