Parma, MO

Parma is a quiet, small-town community in Missouri's Bootheel, situated along Route 153 in New Madrid County. It sits about five miles northwest of Malden and fifteen miles west of the Mississippi River town of New Madrid. A local railroad builder named the town after Parma, Italy, giving this rural farming outpost an unexpected touch of European flair. Today, it remains a relaxed place surrounded by wide-open fields and the flat, fertile delta land that defines southeast Missouri.

ATTRZachhedrick / CC BY-SA 4.0

Living in Parma offers a peaceful, slow-paced lifestyle with friendly neighbors and plenty of open space. Local students attend the New Madrid County R-I School District, traveling a short distance down the road to the central county campus for classes and sports. Because Parma is primarily residential, most residents make the quick drive into neighboring Malden for groceries, dining, and healthcare. It provides a simple, affordable option for anyone looking for quiet rural living with easy highway access to nearby towns.