Clayton, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Clayton is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis and the county seat
of St. Louis County, Missouri
. The population was 15,939 at the 2010 census. The city was organized in 1877 and is named after Ralph Clayton, who donated the land for the courthouse.
, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), all of it land.
low and high rise structures contrast with earlier mansions, stores and flats.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 12,825 people, 5,370 households, and 2,797 families residing in the city. The population density
was 5,164.4 people per square mile (1,996.7/km²). There were 5,852 housing units at an average density of 2,356.5 per square mile (911.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.94% White, 7.77% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 5.62% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races
, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.
There were 5,370 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples
living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.9% were non-families. 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $64,184, and the median income for a family was $107,346. Males had a median income of $64,737 versus $42,757 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $48,055. About 5.0% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.
(owner of Famous Footwear
and Shoes.com), Enterprise Rent-a-Car
, Olin Corporation, and Straub's Markets
are headquartered in Clayton.
system. The city has two stations along the Blue Line
: Clayton
, and Forsyth
. Metro also operates bus services in Clayton.
, Brentwood Boulevard, Hanley Road, and Forest Park Parkway. Old Bonhomme (renamed Forsythe Boulevard when it changes from North-South to East-West direction) in North Clayton is an ancient Native American trail. Wydown Boulevard in Clayton was called one of the nation's most dignified streets in the AIA Architecture Guide to St. Louis.
is partially located in Clayton. The city is also home to Fontbonne University
and Concordia Seminary
of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.
operates public schools. There are three public elementary schools in Clayton, each feeding into the middle and high schools. There is Glenridge Elementary School
, located in the Moorlands neighborhood, Captain Elementary School in the DeMun neighborhood near Concordia Seminary
, and Meramec Elementary School in Davis Place. All three of these schools feed into Wydown Middle School, located on Wydown Boulevard, across from Washington University. This, in turn, feeds into Clayton High School
, which is located next to Shaw Park, near downtown Clayton. Several of Clayton's elementary schools have been closed and/or repurposed. Gay School is now the Clayton Family Center, Maryland School is the Clayton Early Childhood Center, DeMun School burned in a fire and was replaced by Ralph M. Captain Elementary, and in the wake of the Brown v. Board of Education
case abolishing segregated schools, Crispus Attucks School was closed and demolished (an office building was constructed on its former grounds in downtown Clayton).
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Its county seat is Clayton. St. Louis County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area wherein the independent City of St. Louis and its suburbs in St. Louis County, as well as the surrounding counties in both Missouri and Illinois all...
. The population was 15,939 at the 2010 census. The city was organized in 1877 and is named after Ralph Clayton, who donated the land for the courthouse.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited 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 2.5 square miles (6.5 km²), all of it land.
Cityscape
The architecture of central Clayton reflects its economic activity and eras of growth. An impressive collection of mid-century ModernistModern architecture
Modern architecture is generally characterized by simplification of form and creation of ornament from the structure and theme of the building. It is a term applied to an overarching movement, with its exact definition and scope varying widely...
low and high rise structures contrast with earlier mansions, stores and flats.
Demographics
In the St. Louis region, Clayton is well known for housing a wealthy and educated young professional, often dual-income population.As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 12,825 people, 5,370 households, and 2,797 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 5,164.4 people per square mile (1,996.7/km²). There were 5,852 housing units at an average density of 2,356.5 per square mile (911.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 84.94% White, 7.77% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 5.62% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.29% 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 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.
There were 5,370 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% 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, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.9% were non-families. 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.1% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $64,184, and the median income for a family was $107,346. Males had a median income of $64,737 versus $42,757 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 $48,055. About 5.0% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Brown Shoe CompanyBrown Shoe Company
Brown Shoe Company is a footwear company that owns a variety of footwear brands in the United States and Canada. Its headquarters is located in Clayton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis.-Origins:...
(owner of Famous Footwear
Famous Footwear
Famous Footwear is a nationwide chain of retail stores in the United States dealing in branded footwear, generally at prices discounted from manufacturer's suggested prices. Established in 1960 as a single store, "Famous" is regarded as both a forerunner and champion of the trend towards the...
and Shoes.com), Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Holdings, Inc. is a privately held company formed in 2009 to operate rental car subsidiaries: Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, Alamo Rent A Car, WeCar and its commercial fleet management, used car sales, and commercial truck rental operations.Enterprise Holdings was formed as...
, Olin Corporation, and Straub's Markets
Straub's Markets
Straub's Markets is a specialty food retailer headquartered in Clayton, Missouri, near St. Louis. The company has been in business since their original store opened in 1901 in Webster Groves, MO. Currently it has four operating stores with a fifth on the way...
are headquartered in Clayton.
Neighborhoods
The city's neighborhoods include Claverach Park, Clayton Gardens, Clayshire, DeMun, Davis Place, Hillcrest, Moorlands, Old Town, Downtown Clayton, Polo, Wydown Forest, Wydown Terrace, Forsyth and Washington University.Culture
Clayton is a thriving cultural center. The downtown business district has many art galleries, boutiques and fine restaurants, and European-style outdoor cafes. The city hosts major cultural and culinary events such as the St. Louis Art Fair and the Taste of Clayton food festival.Public transportation
Clayton is served by the Metrolink light railLight rail
Light rail or light rail transit is a form of urban rail public transportation that generally has a lower capacity and lower speed than heavy rail and metro systems, but higher capacity and higher speed than traditional street-running tram systems...
system. The city has two stations along the Blue Line
Blue Line (St. Louis MetroLink)
The Blue Line of the St. Louis MetroLink is a light rail service operating between 24 stations in Greater St. Louis. It is the newest line in the system.-Route description:The Blue Line branch starts in Shrewsbury just west of River des Peres...
: Clayton
Clayton (St. Louis Metrolink)
Clayton is a St. Louis MetroLink station that opened August 26, 2006. This at-grade station is located in the median of Forest Park Parkway between S. Central Ave and S. Meramec Ave, and serves the Clayton Central Business District, St. Louis County Government Complex and area residents...
, and Forsyth
Forsyth (St. Louis Metrolink)
The Forsyth St. Louis MetroLink station opened August 26, 2006. This below-grade, open-air station is located at the intersection of Forest Park Parkway and Forsyth Boulevard on the border of University City and Clayton....
. Metro also operates bus services in Clayton.
Major roads and highways
Major roads and highways in Clayton include Interstate 170Interstate 170
Interstate 170 is the designation for an interstate route in the St. Louis, Missouri metropolitan area. I-170, also known as the Inner Belt Expressway, is an highway traveling north–south through the St. Louis suburbs of Hazelwood, Berkeley, St...
, Brentwood Boulevard, Hanley Road, and Forest Park Parkway. Old Bonhomme (renamed Forsythe Boulevard when it changes from North-South to East-West direction) in North Clayton is an ancient Native American trail. Wydown Boulevard in Clayton was called one of the nation's most dignified streets in the AIA Architecture Guide to St. Louis.
Universities
Washington University in St. LouisWashington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis is a private research university located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, and named for George Washington, the university has students and faculty from all fifty U.S. states and more than 110 nations...
is partially located in Clayton. The city is also home to Fontbonne University
Fontbonne University
Fontbonne University is a co-ed liberal arts Catholic institution of approximately 3,000 students in Clayton, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. It is a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Fontbonne is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North...
and Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary is located in Clayton, Missouri, an inner-ring suburb on the western border of St. Louis, Missouri. The institution's primary mission is to train pastors, deaconesses, missionaries, chaplains, and church leaders for the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod . The current president of...
of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod.
Primary and secondary schools
The School District of ClaytonSchool District of Clayton
School District of Clayton includes all of Clayton, portions of Richmond Heights, and a portion of unincorporated St. Louis County, Missouri, USA. The district is located immediately to the west of the City of St. Louis. As of 2005 the school district had 2497 students, 219 full-time teachers, and...
operates public schools. There are three public elementary schools in Clayton, each feeding into the middle and high schools. There is Glenridge Elementary School
Glenridge Elementary School
Glenridge Elementary School is one of the three elementary schools in Clayton, Missouri. It serves Grades K-5 and is located at 7447 Wellington Way.-Population:...
, located in the Moorlands neighborhood, Captain Elementary School in the DeMun neighborhood near Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary is located in Clayton, Missouri, an inner-ring suburb on the western border of St. Louis, Missouri. The institution's primary mission is to train pastors, deaconesses, missionaries, chaplains, and church leaders for the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod . The current president of...
, and Meramec Elementary School in Davis Place. All three of these schools feed into Wydown Middle School, located on Wydown Boulevard, across from Washington University. This, in turn, feeds into Clayton High School
Clayton High School (Missouri)
Clayton High School is a public high school located in the St. Louis suburb of Clayton, Missouri. It is the only high school within the School District of Clayton.-Accolades:...
, which is located next to Shaw Park, near downtown Clayton. Several of Clayton's elementary schools have been closed and/or repurposed. Gay School is now the Clayton Family Center, Maryland School is the Clayton Early Childhood Center, DeMun School burned in a fire and was replaced by Ralph M. Captain Elementary, and in the wake of the Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, 347 U.S. 483 , was a landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The decision overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 which...
case abolishing segregated schools, Crispus Attucks School was closed and demolished (an office building was constructed on its former grounds in downtown Clayton).