Florissant, Missouri

Florissant (/ˈflɒrɪsənt/ (listen)) is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, within Greater St. Louis. It is a middle class, second-ring northern suburb of St. Louis. Based on 2019 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city had a total population of 50,952, making it the 13th-largest city in Missouri and the largest municipality in St. Louis County.

Not to be confused with Florissant, Colorado.
Florissant, Missouri
City
City of Florissant
Florissant City Hall sign, April 2013
Flag
Seal
Location of Florissant, Missouri
Coordinates: 38°47′52″N 90°19′32″W
CountryUnited States
StateMissouri
CountySt. Louis
Founded1785
Government
 • MayorTim Lowery
 • City Council
Area
 • Total12.86 sq mi (33.31 km2)
 • Land12.55 sq mi (32.51 km2)
 • Water0.31 sq mi (0.80 km2)
Elevation
574 ft (175 m)
Population
 • Total52,158
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
50,952
 • Density4,059.60/sq mi (1,567.42/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
63031, 63032, 63033, 63034
Area code(s)314
FIPS code29-24778[5]
GNIS feature ID0756063[6]
Websitehttp://www.florissantmo.com/

History

The exact date the first settlers went to the Valley of Florissant is unknown, but it is one of the oldest settlements in the state of Missouri. Some historians believe it was settled about the same time as St. Louis. The first civil government was formed in 1786. Spanish archives in Havana reveal 40 people and seven plantations were in Florissant at the time of the 1787 census. The village, called "Fleurissant", meaning "Blooming" in English, by its French settlers and "St. Ferdinand" by its Spanish rulers, was a typical French village with its commons and common fields.[7] Originally a separate town, and now an inner suburb of St. Louis, the community was centered on (and frequently called after) the parish of St. Ferdinand. As late as 1889, the town was predominantly French-speaking (while the southern portion of the metropolis was populated by German-speakers).[8] The first train line to the area was constructed in 1878—an extension of the line which went from St. Louis City to Normandy.[9] The last train to Florissant ran on November 14, 1931.[9]

Following World War II, Florissant went from a small village community to a large suburban center, as developers such as Alfred H. Mayer Co. began building subdivisions on what was formerly farmland and empty acreage. Around 18,000 houses were built between 1947 and 1980, and the population swelled to its peak of about 76,000 in the mid-1970s, making it the largest city in St. Louis County.[9]

James J. Eagan was the first mayor of Florissant after a charter amendment created the position. He ultimately served 37 years from 1963 until his death on November 2, 2000, being re-elected into office nine times, and became one of the longest-serving mayors of any city in the United States. In his final year, he was awarded the title of Best Politician in St. Louis by the Riverfront Times.[10] The civic center off Parker Road is named the James J. Eagan Community Center in his memory.

In 2012, Florissant was ranked 76 in Money magazine's top-100 list of Best Places to Live – America's Best Small Cities.[11] In 2014, Florissant ranked as the #1 Best Small City to Retire To in America[12] and the second-safest city in Missouri.[13]

The heart of Old Town Florissant is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the St. Ferdinand Central Historic District.[14] The boundaries of the district are roughly rue St. Francois, rue St. Ferdinand, and rue St. Denis, and Lafayette Street. The City of St. Ferdinand Multiple Resource Area (MRA), located in the oldest section of the present city of Florissant, encompasses approximately 156 city blocks and encloses the approximate area of the City of St. Ferdinand, as Florissant was known from 1857 to 1939.[15] This MRA comprises 124 historically significant properties ranging in date from 1790 to 1940. The historic Old St. Ferdinand Shrine is located on the western end of Old Town. The Shrine and Historic Site consists of four historic buildings on their original locations: the 1819 convent, 1821 church, 1840 rectory, and 1888 schoolhouse. It is listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places and is a U.S. Historic District.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.87 square miles (33.33 km2), of which 12.56 square miles (32.53 km2) are land and 0.31 square mile (0.80 km2) is covered by water.[16]

Demographics
View down a street in Florissant, April 2013
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880817—
1890769−5.9%
1900752−2.2%
19107651.7%
1920682−10.8%
19301,03952.3%
19401,36931.8%
19503,737173.0%
196038,166921.3%
197065,90872.7%
198055,372−16.0%
199051,206−7.5%
200050,497−1.4%
201052,1583.3%
2019 (est.)50,952[4]−2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

At the 2010 census,[3] there were 52,158 people, 21,247 households and 13,800 families living in the city. The population density was 4,152.7 inhabitants per square mile (1,603.4/km2). There were 22,632 housing units at an average density of 1,801.9 per square mile (695.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 58.3% White, 36.8% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 21,247 households, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 17.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.0% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the city was 38 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 25.8% were from 45 to 64; and 15.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[5] there were 50,497 people, 20,399 households and 13,687 families living in the city. The population density was 4,442.4 per square mile (1,714.8/km2). There were 21,027 housing units at an average density of 1,849.8 per square mile (714.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 86.66% White, 10.51% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.49% of the population.

There were 20,399 households, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.01.

24.7% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

The median household income was $44,462 and the median family income was $52,195. Males had a median income of $37,434 compared with $27,247 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,622. About 2.7% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public

Florissant is covered by the Hazelwood and Ferguson-Florissant public school districts. McCluer North High School and McCluer High School of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, and North Technical High School[17] are high schools in Florissant. Hazelwood Central is the only high school in Florissant belonging to the Hazelwood School District. Hazelwood Northwest Middle School and several elementary schools are also within the municipal limits.[18][19]

Private

North County Christian School is a pre-school to grade 12 Christian school that is theologically associated with the Church of the Nazarene.[20][21]

There are several kindergarten through 8th-grade parochial schools in Florissant. These include Atonement Lutheran School, Sacred Heart, St. Ferdinand, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and Saint Norbert.[22]

Higher education

Florissant has a theological college, an extension campus, and a barber college. Saint Louis Christian College is a private, four-year, undergraduate institution that is theologically and ecclesiastically associated with the Christian churches and churches of Christ.[23] Lindenwood University has its offsite North County Campus located in the former Our Lady of Fatima School.[24] Missouri School of Barbering and Hairstyling-St Louis is also located in Florissant.[25]

St. Louis Community College–Florissant Valley and University of Missouri–St. Louis are located in close proximity to the city.

Public libraries

St. Louis County Library operates the Florissant Valley Branch in Florissant.[26]

Health care

Florissant is home to Northwest HealthCare, an outpatient subsidiary of Christian Hospital. Services include: emergency department, sleep lab, bone density testing, mammography, ultrasound and MRI.[27] A satellite facility of the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center that is under construction on the campus is scheduled to open in late 2019.[28]

Notable people

References
  1. "Florissant, Missouri City Council". Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  7. Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, Official Site
  8. St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 27, 1889; cited in Missouri Historical Review, April 1957, p. 330
  9. Wright Sr., John A. (June 7, 2004). Train Line. SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 073853255X.
  10. Klose, Richard. "Best Politician St. Louis 2000". Riverfront Times. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
  11. Money Magazine Best Places 2012
  12. "These Are The 10 Best Small Cities To Retire To In America". Movoto.com. January 22, 2014.
  13. "Florissant Police Department Newsletter / Press Release" (PDF). Florissantmo/com. February 27, 2014.
  14. "NPGallery Asset Detail". npgallery.nps.gov. Retrieved 2020-03-28.
  15. "St. Ferdinand City MRA: Historic Resources of the City of St. Ferdinand". CiteSeerX 10.1.1.544.6498. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  16. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2012-01-24. Retrieved 2012-07-08.
  17. "North Technical High School". Archived from the original on March 2, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
  18. "Hazelwood School District Maps" (PDF). Hazelwood School District. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-08-07. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
  19. City of Florissant-Municipal Wards (Map) (August 2005 ed.). St. Louis County Department of Planning.
  20. "About NCCS". North County Christian School. Archived from the original on June 19, 2006. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
  21. "Statement Of Beliefs". North County Christian School. Archived from the original on June 18, 2006. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
  22. "Parochial Schools of Missouri". National Parochial School Association. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
  23. "About SLCC". Saint Louis Christian College. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
  24. "Lindenwood's Off-site Campuses - North County". Lindenwood University. Archived from the original on June 27, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
  25. "Missouri School of Barbering and Hairstyling-St Louis". Missouri Community Colleges. 50States.com. Retrieved June 29, 2008.
  26. "Florissant Valley Branch Archived 2009-08-23 at the Wayback Machine." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
  27. "Northwest HealthCare". Christian Hospital.
  28. Walker, Melody (31 July 2018). "North St. Louis County welcomes new Siteman Cancer Center". St. Louis Public Radio. Retrieved 14 August 2018.

Further reading
  • Garraghan, Gilbert J. (1923). Saint Ferdinand de Florissant: the story of an ancient parish. Chicago: Loyola Univ. Press.
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