Clayton, Missouri
Clayton is a city in and the seat of St. Louis County, Missouri. It borders the city of St. Louis. The population was 15,939 at the 2010 census. Organized in 1877, the city was named after Ralph Clayton, who donated the land for the St. Louis County courthouse. Geography. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land. Cityscape. The architecture of central Clayton reflects its economic activity and eras of growth. An impressive collection of mid-century Modernist 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. 2020 census. As of 2020, there were 17,355 people living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 71.4% White, 8.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 12.9% Asian, 1.0% from other races, and 6.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population. 2010 census. As of the census of 2010, there were 15,939 people, 5,322 households, and 2,921 families living in the city. The population density was . There  were 6,321 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 78.0% White, 8.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 10.8% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population. There were 5,322 households, of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.3% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 45.1% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made  up of individuals, and 11.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.12 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age in the city was 29.2 years. 15.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 27.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.3% were from 25 to 44; 21.6% were from 45 to 64; and 11.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 50.9% male and 49.1% female. 2000 census. As of the census of 2000, there were  12,825 people, 5,370 households, and 2,797 families living in the city. The population density was 5,164.4 people per square mile (1,996.7/km). There were 5,852 housing units at an average density of 2,356.5 per square mile (911.1/km). 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. Government. Clayton is governed  via a six-member board of aldermen and a mayor. Aldermen are elected from one of three wards with each electing two members. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. A city clerk is appointed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen. The town has a police department headed by Kevin R. Murphy. St. Louis County Jail is located in downtown Clayton. Economy. Armstrong Teasdale, Caleres (owner of Famous Footwear and Shoes.com), Cassidy Turley, Centene, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Graybar, Olin, and Straub's Markets are headquartered in Clayton. The unemployment rate in 2020 was 2.2%. Top employers. According  to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are: Neighborhoods. The city's neighborhoods include Claverach Park, Clayton Gardens, Clayshire, DeMun, Davis Place, Hillcrest, Moorlands, Old Town, Tanglewood, Downtown Clayton, Polo, Wydown Forest, Wydown Terrace, Forsyth and Washington University. Culture. Clayton's downtown business district has numerous art galleries, boutiques, fine restaurants, and cafes with outdoor seating. The city hosts major cultural and culinary events such as the St. Louis Art Fair and the Taste of Clayton food festival. Transportation. Public transportation. Clayton is served by the MetroLink light rail system. The city  has two stations along the Blue Line: Clayton, and Forsyth. Metro also operates bus services in Clayton. Major roads and highways. Major roads and highways in Clayton include Interstate 170, 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. Education. Universities. Washington University in St. Louis is partially located in Clayton. The city is also  home to Fontbonne University and Concordia Seminary of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. Primary and secondary schools. The city's public schools are operated by the School District of Clayton. Its three public elementary schools are Glenridge Elementary School in the Moorlands neighborhood, Captain Elementary School in the DeMun neighborhood near Concordia Seminary, and Meramec Elementary School in Davis Place. These schools feed into Wydown Middle School on Wydown Boulevard, across from Washington University, which feeds into Clayton High School, next to Shaw Park near downtown Clayton. Several of Clayton's elementary schools have been closed or repurposed. Gay School  is now the Clayton Family Center; Maryland School has been leased to a series of daycare/elementary organizations; DeMun School burned in a fire and was replaced by Ralph M. Captain Elementary; and, after "Brown v. Board of Education" abolished segregated schools, Crispus Attucks School in downtown Clayton was demolished and replaced with an office building. Public libraries. St. Louis County Library operates the Mid-County Branch in Clayton, which was rebuilt and reopened on September 4, 2020. Parks and recreation. The 30-acre Shaw Park is the largest park in Clayton. The park hosts an Olympic-sized swimming pool , a kiddie pool, a diving pool with three platforms, 11 tennis courts, an ice rink, a baseball and soccer field, volleyball courts, handball courts, a sensory garden, a trail, a playground, and multiple pavilions. Clayton has an Independence Day celebration at the park, which adjoins Clayton High School. The city's second-largest park is the 14.5-acre Oak Knoll Park, once home to the St. Louis area's foremost science museum.