# Wildwood, Missouri

Wildwood is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. It is located in the far western portion of the county. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,417. Wildwood is the home of the Al Foster Trail, and numerous other trails, parks, and reserves such as Rockwoods Reservation and Babler State Park.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 67.08 square miles (173.74 km$^2$), of which 66.42 square miles (172.03 km$^2$) is land and 0.66 square miles (1.71 km$^2$) is water.
Wildwood is bounded to the north by Chesterfield; on the east by Clarkson Valley and Ellisville; to the south by Eureka and Pacific; and on the west by Franklin County.

## Demographics
### 2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 35,417 people, 12,655 households, and 10,730 families in Wildwood. The population density was 531.1 inhabitants per square mile (205.1/km$^2$). There were 13,043 housing units at an average density of 195.6 per square mile (75.5/km$^2$). The racial makeup was 85.59% (30,314) white, 1.59% (562) black or African-American, 0.15% (52) Native American or Alaska Native, 6.0% (2,124) Asian, 0.02% (7) Pacific Islander, 0.72% (255) from other races, and 5.94% (2,103) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.7% (963) of the population.
Of the 12,655 households, 35.9% had children under the age of 18; 75.3% were married couples living together; 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 12.8% consisted of individuals and 6.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.8 and the average family size was 3.1.
25.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 17.8% from 25 to 44, 33.3% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 95.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 95.7 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $135,177 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,631) and the median family income was $146,996 (+/- $6,494). Males had a median income of $82,374 (+/- $6,540) versus $42,658 (+/- $3,708) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $61,906 (+/- $3,729). Approximately, 2.0% of families and 3.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under the age of 18 and 4.3% of those ages 65 or over.

### 2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 35,517 people, 12,112 households, and 10,153 families living in the city. The population density was 534.7 inhabitants per square mile (206.4/km$^2$). There were 12,604 housing units at an average density of 189.8 per square mile (73.3/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 87.2% White, 6.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.0% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3%.
Of the 12,112 households 45.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 75.2% were married couples living together, 6.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 16.2% were non-families. 13.6% of households were one person and 5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.93 and the average family size was 3.24.
The median age was 41.5 years. 30.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.3% were from 25 to 44; 34.8% were from 45 to 64; and 8.9% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

### 2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 32,884 people, 10,837 households, and 9,243 families living in the city. The estimated median house/condo value in 2005 was $345,100. The population density was 498.0 inhabitants per square mile (192.3/km$^2$). There were 11,229 housing units at an average density of 170.1 per square mile (65.7/km$^2$). The racial makeup of the city was 94.74% White, 1.62% African American, 0.12% Native American, 2.38% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.83% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.38%.
Of the 10,837 households 51.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 79.0% were married couples living together, 4.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 14.7% were non-families. 12.4% of households were one person and 4.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 3.02 and the average family size was 3.32.
The age distribution was 33.2% under the age of 18, 4.8% from 18 to 24, 31.4% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 5.5% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.
Estimated median household income in 2007: $113,270. Males had a median income of $75,849 versus $41,224 for females. The per capita income for the city was $38,485. About 1.6% of families and 2.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.1% of those under age 18 and 5.4% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

Wildwood is served by Rockwood School District, with one high school within the city limits, Lafayette High School.
St. Louis Community College–Wildwood is a local, two-year public community college located off routes 100 and 109.

## Police

The City of Wildwood contracts for police service with the St. Louis County Police Department.

## Culture

The Big Chief Restaurant is all that remains of a tourist complex that opened on U.S. Route 66 in 1928. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places listings in 2003.

## Notable people

* David Freese, former third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, grew up in Wildwood.
* Ryan Howard, former first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies, grew up in Wildwood.
* Albert Pujols of the St. Louis Cardinals lived in Wildwood briefly during a previous stint with the team.
* Jesse Smith, racing driver, born in Wildwood
* Kelly Stables, actress, grew up in Wildwood
* Luke Voit, Major League Baseball player, grew up in Wildwood.