Clayton, Missouri

Clayton is an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis and the county seat of St. Louis County, Missouri. The population was 12,825 at the 2000 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 Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.5 square miles (6.4 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 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.

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.

Economy
Brown Shoe Company (owner of Famous Footwear and Shoes.com), Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Olin, and Straub's Markets 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 also 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 St. Louis Art Fair and the Taste of Clayton food festival.

Public transportation
Clayton is served by the Metrolink lightrail 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:

I-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.

Transit centers
Clayton Transit Center

Universities
The city is home to Fontbonne University and Concordia Seminary of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod. Washington University in St. Louis is also partially located in Clayton.

Primary and secondary schools
School District of Clayton 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).

Public libraries
St. Louis County Library operates the Mid-County Branch in Clayton.