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Clayton, Missouri
Clayton high-rises seen from the Moorlands
Clayton high-rises seen from the Moorlands
Location in Missouri
Location in Missouri
U.S. Census Map
U.S. Census Map
Country United States
State Missouri
County St. Louis
Settled 1877
Incorporated 1913
Government
 • Type Mayor-council city
Area
 • Total 2.51 sq mi (6.49 km2)
 • Land 2.51 sq mi (6.49 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
551 ft (168 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 17,355
 • Density 6,919.9/sq mi (2,671.8/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (Central)
ZIP code
63105
Area code(s) 314
FIPS code 29-14572
GNIS feature ID 2393548
Website City of Clayton

Clayton is a city in Missouri, USA. It's the main city of St. Louis County. Clayton is right next to the big city of St. Louis. In 2020, about 17,355 people lived here. The city started in 1877. It was named after Ralph Clayton, who gave the land for the St. Louis County courthouse.

What does Clayton look like?

Cityscape and Buildings

The buildings in central Clayton show its history and growth. You can see many modern buildings, both short and tall. These stand out next to older mansions, shops, and apartments. The neighborhoods around the city center are great for walking. They have lots of brick homes, apartment buildings, and even some grand houses. Many small shopping areas are also found here.

View of Clayton skyline in 2018

Neighborhoods in Clayton

Clayton has several unique neighborhoods. Each one has its own feel and features.

Claverach Park

Claverach Park is a neighborhood with homes. It was planned in the 1920s. The streets are curvy and lined with trees. It has one main park and nine smaller "pocket parks." Oak Knoll Park, one of Clayton's biggest parks, is also in this area.

Clayshire

Clayshire is a neighborhood with a more suburban feel. It has parks like Anderson Park and Whitburn Park. There's also a small shopping area at Clayton Road and Brentwood Boulevard.

Davis Place

Central Presbyterian Church
Central Presbyterian Church in the Davis Place neighborhood

Davis Place is a large neighborhood mostly with single-family homes. You can also find some apartment buildings here. The "Shops of Clayton" are a popular commercial area in Davis Place.

DeMun

DeMun is a neighborhood on the eastern side of Clayton. It's a busy area where you can walk to many places. It has old brick apartment buildings and homes. You'll also find small shops along DeMun Avenue. Concordia Seminary and part of Washington University are located here. There are three public parks: Concordia, DeMun, and Henry Wright.

Downtown Clayton

Downtown Clayton and MetroLink 2024
MetroLink passing by downtown Clayton

Downtown Clayton is the center of government for St. Louis County. It's also a major business hub. Many large companies have their main offices here. These include Centene Corporation, Emerson Electric, and Graybar. Downtown Clayton is famous for its many restaurants and cafes. It also hosts the St. Louis Art Fair every September. New buildings are often being built in this area.

You can get to downtown Clayton using the MetroLink train system. The Blue Line stops at the Clayton and Forsyth stations.

Moorlands

The Moorlands is another neighborhood where you can walk easily. It has many older apartment buildings and homes. There are also tall apartment buildings along Hanley Road. A small shopping area is located at Hanley and Wydown Boulevard.

North Clayton

North Clayton is a busy area with many homes. It also has offices, apartments, and condos. You can find shops along Meramec and Maryland avenues. This neighborhood is home to Kol Rinah synagogue and St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Mid County branch of the St. Louis County Library is also here. Parks include Taylor Park and Hanley Park, which has the historic Hanley House.

People and Population

Clayton is known for having many educated people. Many residents work in professional jobs.

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 402
1920 3,028
1930 9,613 217.5%
1940 13,069 36.0%
1950 16,035 22.7%
1960 15,245 −4.9%
1970 16,100 5.6%
1980 14,219 −11.7%
1990 13,874 −2.4%
2000 12,825 −7.6%
2010 15,939 24.3%
2020 17,355 8.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population in 2020

In 2020, Clayton had 17,355 people living there. Most residents were white (71.37%). There were also significant numbers of black (8.07%) and Asian (12.88%) residents. About 3.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

The average age in Clayton was about 29.5 years old. Many young adults (18-24 years old) live in the city.

Economy and Jobs

MetroLink Blue Line in Clayton
Downtown Clayton

Clayton is one of the biggest business areas in the St. Louis region. It has about 46,000 people working there each day. Many large companies, law firms, and banks are based in Clayton.

Some of the biggest employers in Clayton include:

  • Centene (a healthcare company)
  • St. Louis County government
  • Enterprise Holdings (a car rental company)
  • Washington University
  • Caleres (a shoe company)
  • Commerce Bank
  • School District of Clayton

Getting Around Clayton

Public Transportation

Clayton Transit Center 1
Clayton Transit Center

Clayton has a public train system called MetroLink. The Blue Line serves the city. It has two stations: Clayton and Forsyth. There's also the Clayton Transit Center. This center connects the train station to many MetroBus routes.

Main Roads

Major roads in Clayton include Big Bend Boulevard, Brentwood Boulevard, and Clayton Road. Interstate 170 also runs through the city. Forsyth Boulevard was once an old Native American trail. It was even part of the route for the marathon in the 1904 Olympic Games.

Education in Clayton

Colleges and Universities

Clocktower on s40
The clocktower in the center of the South 40

Clayton is home to Fontbonne University and Concordia Seminary. Part of Washington University's campus, called the South 40, is also in Clayton. This area mainly has student housing. Washington University also has offices in downtown Clayton.

Schools for Kids

The public schools in Clayton are run by the School District of Clayton. This district covers the entire city. There are three public elementary schools: Glenridge, Captain, and Merameac. These schools lead to Wydown Middle School. After middle school, students go to Clayton High School. In 2021, about 2,412 students were in the district.

Public Libraries

The St. Louis County Library has a branch in Clayton called the Mid-County Branch. It was rebuilt and opened again in 2020.

Parks and Fun Activities

Shaw Park is the biggest park in Clayton, covering 30 acres. It has a large swimming pool, tennis courts, and an ice rink. You can also find a baseball field, volleyball courts, and a playground. The park hosts Clayton's Independence Day party and a food festival.

Oak Knoll Park is the second largest park. It used to be home to the Academy of Science.

Clayton also has many smaller neighborhood parks. These include Anderson Park, DeMun Park, and Hanley Park. The city is also part of the Centennial Greenway. This is a trail system that connects Clayton to other areas and to Forest Park in St. Louis.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Clayton (Misuri) para niños

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