Florissant () is a city in St. Louis County,

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

, within

Greater St. Louis Greater St. Louis is the 23rd-largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the United States, the largest in Missouri, and the second-largest in Illinois. Its core city—St. Louis, Missouri—sits in the geographic center of the metro area, ...

. It is a middle-class, second-ring northern suburb of

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

. Based on the 2020 United States census, the city had a total population of 52,533. It is the largest city in St. Louis County.

History

The exact date the first settlers went to the Valley of Florissant is unknown, but it is one of the oldest settlements in Missouri. Some historians believe it was settled about the same time as St. Louis. The first civilian government was formed in 1786. Spanish archives in

Havana Havana (; ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.St. Ferdinand. The center of the parish, the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, survives and is listed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...

. Around 1809, the Cold Water Cemetery had the first burial; since 2004, it has been listed in the

for its social history. As late as 1889, the town was predominantly French-speaking (while the southern portion of the metropolis was populated by German speakers). The first train line to the area was constructed in 1878—an extension of the line which went from St. Louis City to

Normandy Normandy (; or ) is a geographical and cultural region in northwestern Europe, roughly coextensive with the historical Duchy of Normandy. Normandy comprises Normandy (administrative region), mainland Normandy (a part of France) and insular N ...

. The last train to Florissant ran on November 14, 1931. Following

World War II World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

, 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. 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 The ''Riverfront Times'' (''RFT'') was a free progressive weekly newspaper in St. Louis, Missouri, that consisted of local politics, music, arts, and dining news in the print edition, and daily updates to blogs and photo galleries on its websit ...

''. 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 Money is any item or verifiable record that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts, such as taxes, in a particular country or socio-economic context. The primary functions which distinguish money are: m ...

'' magazine's top-100 list of Best Places to Live – America's Best Small Cities. In 2014, Florissant ranked as the #1 Best Small City to Retire To in America and the second-safest city in Missouri. Florissant Old Town Historic District is a locally designated historic preservation planning district, created by local ordinance in 1969. (The main MRA document is pages 10-118 within a 250-page PDF. Note that page 59, the signatures page, is partly obscured but an unobscured copy is included as page 16 in the District #2 PDF. Accompanying "Historic Resources of the City of St. Ferdinand: Plans and Charts", which is pages 175-201, includes "Plan 4" map of the St. Ferdinand's Shrine Historic District and "Plan 5" map of the St. Ferdinand Central Historic District. The PDF also includes State of Missouri's Office of Historic Preservation Historic Inventory forms for numerous properties. Within that, the heart of Old Town Florissant is listed on the

as the St. Ferdinand Central Historic District. 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. 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. Historic Florissant, the local

historical society A historical society is non-profit organization dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting, and promoting the history of a particular place, group of people, or topic. They play a crucial role in promoting historical awareness and understan ...

, operates out of the preserved Gittemeier House.

Geography

According to the

United States Census Bureau The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the Federal statistical system, U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and American economy, econ ...

, the city has a total area of , of which are land and 0.31 square mile (0.80 km²) is covered by water.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 52,533 people, 19,702 households, and 12,336 families in Florissant. The population density was 4,185.9 per square mile (1,615.9/km). There were 21,769 housing units at an average density of 1,734.6 per square mile (669.6/km). The racial makeup was 46.34% (24,345)

white White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no chroma). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully (or almost fully) reflect and scatter all the visible wa ...

, 44.79% (23,529) black or African-American, 0.24% (125) Native American, 1.01% (530) Asian, 0.03% (14)

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the list of islands in the Pacific Ocean, Pacific Islands. As an ethnic group, ethnic/race (human categorization), racial term, it is used to describe th ...

, 1.5% (790) from other races, and 6.09% (3,200) from two or more races.

Hispanic The term Hispanic () are people, Spanish culture, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or broadly. In some contexts, Hispanic and Latino Americans, especially within the United States, "Hispanic" is used as an Ethnici ...

or Latino of any race was 2.7% (1,393) of the population. Of the 19,702 households, 26.1% had children under the age of 18; 39.3% were married couples living together; 34.1% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 30.7% consisted of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.2. 23.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 90.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 93.1 males. The 2016-2020 5-year

American Community Survey The American Community Survey (ACS) is an annual demographics survey program conducted by the United States Census Bureau. It regularly gathers information previously contained only in the long form of the United States census, decennial census ...

estimates show that the median household income was $58,769 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,467) and the median family income was $73,794 (+/- $3,536). Males had a median income of $36,440 (+/- $2,203) versus $33,166 (+/- $2,612) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $34,998 (+/- $1,688). Approximately, 7.9% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 17.2% of those under the age of 18 and 5.2% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 52,158 people, 21,247 households and 13,800 families living in the city. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...

was . There were 22,632 housing units at an average density of . 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 Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...

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, there were 50,497 people, 20,399 households and 13,687 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 21,027 housing units at an average density of . 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

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 The median income is the income amount that divides a population into two groups, half having an income above that amount, and half having an income below that amount. It may differ from the mean (or average) income. Both of these are ways of und ...

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 Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...

for the city was $20,622. About 2.7% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the

, 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.
Text list
/ref> McCluer North High School and McCluer High School of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, and North Technical High School are high schools in Florissant. Hazelwood Northwest Middle School and several elementary schools are also within the municipal limits. The headquarters of the Hazelwood school district has a Florissant address, but is not in that city nor any other city.

Private

North County Christian School is a pre-school to grade 12 Christian school that is theologically associated with the

Church of the Nazarene The Church of the Nazarene is an evangelical Christian denomination that emerged in North America from the Wesleyan-Holiness movement within Methodism during the late 19th century. The denomination has its headquarters in Lenexa, Kansas. and it ...

. There are several kindergarten through 8th-grade

parochial school A parochial school is a private school, private Primary school, primary or secondary school affiliated with a religious organization, and whose curriculum includes general religious education in addition to secular subjects, such as science, mathem ...

s in Florissant. These include Atonement Lutheran School, Sacred Heart, St. Ferdinand, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and Saint Norbert.

Higher education

Florissant has a

theological college A seminary, school of theology, theological college, or divinity school is an educational institution for educating students (sometimes called seminarians) in scripture and Christian theology, theology, generally to prepare them for ordinatio ...

, 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 The group of churches known as the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ is a fellowship of congregations within the Restoration Movement (also known as the Stone–Campbell Movement and the Reformation of the 19th Century) that have no form ...

Lindenwood University Lindenwood University is a private university in St. Charles, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1832 by George Champlin Sibley and Mary Easton Sibley as The Lindenwood School for Girls, it is the second-oldest higher-education institution wes ...

has its offsite North County Campus located in the former Our Lady of Fatima School. Missouri School of Barbering and Hairstyling-St Louis is also located in Florissant. St. Louis Community College–Florissant Valley and

University of Missouri–St. Louis The University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) is a Public university, public research university in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Established in 1963, it is the newest of the four universities in the University of Missouri System. Located ...

are located in close proximity to the city.

Public libraries

St. Louis County Library operates the Florissant Valley Branch in Florissant.

Missouri German and Missouri French architecture

Florissant is home of a number of examples of Missouri German architecture, mostly in brick commercial and institutional buildings, The finest example in the area is the Kuehn House, which has a "pronounced, toothed

corbel In architecture, a corbel is a structural piece of stone, wood or metal keyed into and projecting from a wall to carry a wikt:superincumbent, bearing weight, a type of bracket (architecture), bracket. A corbel is a solid piece of material in t ...

table on its primary facade"; other notable examples are the Tebeau House and the Withington House. Each of these is individually listed on the

. Several more examples are in the National Register-listed St. Ferdinand Central Historic District: * Abel-Griese House and Store, * Weithaupt Store and Residence, * Sacred Heart Convent (1904), 751 Jefferson, a brick building also with Gothic Revival detailing, * Herz Jesu Schule (1889), 751 Jefferson, which mirrors the style of the Sacred Heart Convent, and * Griese House (1858), 700 Jefferson, an apartment building. This is 57 pages partly excerpted from the larger 250-page PDF. Page 1-11 are pages 26-36 of the 250 page PDF document. Pages 12-15 are individual State of Missouri Office of Historic Preservation Historic Inventory forms for Foeller House, Laramie House, Tricamo House, and Wesling House which do not appear in the 250-page PDF. Page 16 is the signatures page of the MRA which appears on page 59 in the 250-page PDF. Pages 17-54 are accompanying 18 photos and captions pages, not included in the 250-page PDF. Page 55 is a reference to a map of the district in the MRA, apparently meaning "Plan 5: St. Ferdinand Central Historic District Boundaries, Intrusions and Nominated Properties" which appears on page 184 of the 250-page PDF. It is also home to numerous Missouri French architecture examples, mostly wood frame residences. Examples include: * Moynihan House (Florissant, Missouri) * Hubecky House * Meyer House (Florissant, Missouri)

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. A satellite facility of the Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center that is under construction on the campus is scheduled to open in late 2019.

Notable people

References

External links

Official site of the City of Florissant

Historic Florissant
{{authority control Cities in St. Louis County, Missouri Populated places established in 1786 Missouri populated places on the Missouri River French colonial settlements of Illinois Country Cities in Missouri 1786 establishments in the Spanish Empire Pre-statehood history of Missouri