Editing Clayton, Missouri

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Clayton, Missouri
| settlement_type    = [[City]]
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = Clayton Buildings - Moorlands.jpg
| imagesize          = 250
| image_caption      = Clayton high-rises seen from the Moorlands
| image_seal         = 
| image_flag         = 
| image_map          = St._Louis_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Clayton_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location in Missouri
| image_map1         = Clayton-mo-map.png
| mapsize1           = 250px
| map_caption1       = U.S. Census Map
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Missouri]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Missouri|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[St. Louis County, Missouri|St. Louis]]
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = 1877
| established_title2 = Incorporated
| established_date2  = 1913
| established_title3 = 
| established_date3  = 
| government_type    = [[Mayor-council government|Mayor-council city]]
| leader_title       = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name        = Michelle Harris
| leader_title1      = <!--Board of <br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Selectmen-->
| leader_name1       = 
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 28, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 6.49
| area_total_sq_mi   = 2.51
| area_land_km2      = 6.49
| area_land_sq_mi    = 2.51
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| population_footnotes = 
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total   = 17355
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 6919.9
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 551
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| coordinates        = {{coord|38|38|40|N|90|19|49|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = ZIP code
| postal_code        = 63105
| area_code          = [[Area code 314|314]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 29-14572<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2393548<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2393548}}</ref>
| website            = [http://www.claytonmo.gov/ City of Clayton]
}}

'''Clayton''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[St. Louis County, Missouri]], and borders the independent city of [[St. Louis]]. The population was 17,355 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web   |title=2020 Census Results |url=https://www.census.gov/2020results |access-date=2022-10-02 |website=Census.gov}}</ref> Organized in 1877, the city was named after Ralph Clayton, a citizen who donated the land for the St. Louis County courthouse.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RfAuAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA359 | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1918 | pages=359}}</ref>

==Geography==

=== Cityscape ===
The architecture of central Clayton reflects its economic activity and eras of growth. An impressive collection of [[mid-century modern]] low and high rise structures contrast with earlier mansions, stores and flats. Its surrounding residential neighborhoods maintain a dense, walkable character and were largely developed in the [[Pre-war architecture|pre-war]] era. These neighborhoods consist of brick walkups, apartment buildings, mansions and modest single family homes centered around several small business districts.

{{wide image|Clayton, Missouri skyline panoramic.jpg|895px|View of Clayton skyline in 2018}}

=== Neighborhoods ===

==== Claverach Park ====
Claverach Park is a residential neighborhood bounded by Wydown Boulevard on the north, Ridgemoor Drive and Big Bend Boulevard on the east, Clayton Road on the south, and Audubon Drive on the west. The neighborhood was planned in the early 1920s by [[Julius Pitzman]] who avoided a traditional street grid in favor of curvilinear streets lined by stately trees, one centrally located neighborhood park, and 9 pocket parks.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-03-03 |title=Our History |url=https://claverachparkneighborhood.com/history/ |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=Claverach Park |language=en}}</ref> [[Oak Knoll Park]], Clayton's second largest park and the former home to the St. Louis [[Academy of Science, St. Louis|Academy of Science]], is located in the neighborhood.

==== Clayshire ====
Clayshire is a suburban neighborhood bounded by Forest Park Parkway on the north, [[Interstate 170]] on the east, Clayton Road on the south and the [[Ladue, Missouri|Ladue]] city limit to the west and includes the subdivision of Tanglewood. Unlike Clayton's denser pre-war residential neighborhoods, Clayshire is characterized by a more post-war suburban development pattern. Neighborhood parks include Anderson Park, Clayshire Park, and Whitburn Park as well as a pedestrian underpass beneath I-170 that connects to [[Shaw Park, Clayton|Shaw Park]]. There is a small commercial area at the intersection of Clayton Road and Brentwood Boulevard.

==== Davis Place ====
[[File:Central Presbyterian Church.jpg|thumb|Central Presbyterian Church in the Davis Place neighborhood]]
A large residential neighborhood, Davis Place is characterized primarily by single family homes with some apartment buildings along Hanley Road and Brentwood Boulevard. Its boundaries are Forest Park Parkway on the north, Hanley Road on the east, Clayton Road on the south, and Brentwood Boulevard on the west. The neighborhood includes the subdivisions Country Club Place, Country Club Court, and Remmerts. Davis Place is also home to the Shops of Clayton commercial corridor along Clayton Road.

==== DeMun ====
Part of the [[DeMun, St. Louis|Hi-Pointe–DeMun Historic District]], DeMun is primarily a residential neighborhood on the eastern edge of Clayton. It is a dense and walkable neighborhood characterized by brick and limestone pre-war apartment blocks, single family homes and small commercial areas centered around DeMun Avenue and Clayton Road. The neighborhood is also home to [[Concordia Seminary]], the South Campus of Washington University, and three public parks (Concordia, DeMun, and Henry Wright).

The boundaries of DeMun in Clayton are Concordia Seminary's northern property line and Northwood Avenue, the St. Louis city limit to the east, Clayton Road to the south, and Big Bend Boulevard to the west.

==== Downtown Clayton ====
[[File:Downtown Clayton and MetroLink 2024.jpg|thumb|MetroLink passing by downtown Clayton]]
Downtown Clayton is the seat of St. Louis County government and home to its headquarters campus. The neighborhood is home to three of the St. Louis region's six [[Fortune 500]] headquarters; [[Centene Corporation]], [[Emerson Electric]], and [[Graybar]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=List of St. Louis' Fortune 1000 Companies Grows to 17 |url=https://greaterstlinc.com/news/list-st-louis-fortune-1000-companies-grows-17 |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=Greater St. Louis, Inc. |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, the neighborhood is home to five of the region's 10 [[Fortune 1000]] headquarters; Advantage Solutions, [[Belden Incorporated|Belden]], [[Caleres]], [[Energizer|Energizer Holdings]], and [[Olin Corporation]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Merrilees |first=Annika |date=2023-06-09 |title=Emerson moving headquarters from Ferguson to Clayton |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/emerson-moving-headquarters-from-ferguson-to-clayton/article_6da0ab14-06be-11ee-8140-6f3c8d235ef5.html |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> [[Commerce Bancshares|Commerce Bank]], the Regional Business Council and the St. Louis Club are located here as well.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kukuljan |first=Steph |date=2024-01-09 |title=Energizer moving headquarters to Clayton in deal that halves footprint |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/business/energizer-moving-headquarters-to-clayton-in-deal-that-halves-footprint/article_c113ae6c-ae53-11ee-97dc-1310808e8e3a.html |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}</ref> Downtown Clayton is known for its many restaurants and cafes and hosts the St. Louis Art Fair during September each year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saint Louis Art Fair - Home |url=https://saintlouisartfair.com/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=saintlouisartfair.com}}</ref> Recently, the neighborhood has entered a period of significant redevelopment and new construction with the opening of the Two Twelve Clayton and Ceylon apartment buildings in 2017, Centene Plaza C in 2019, and Forsyth Pointe in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kukuljan |first=Steph |date=2024-01-28 |title=ElmTree Funds' Jim Koman built Clayton's newest offices. Here's what's next for his firm. |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/business/elmtree-funds-jim-koman-built-claytons-newest-offices-heres-whats-next-for-his-firm/article_6bfd67ec-bb28-11ee-945f-b730146e677c.html |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}</ref> As of 2022, downtown Clayton had seven projects, worth approximately $600 million, either in development or under construction.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Kukuljan |first=Steph |title=High-rises are booming in Clayton, but will downtown lose its charm? |url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/high-rises-are-booming-in-clayton-but-will-downtown-lose-its-charm/article_bb526fe9-d918-5703-ba91-c5e766d7b761.html |access-date=2022-11-10 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}</ref>

The boundaries of downtown Clayton are Maryland Avenue on the north, the University City limit on the east, Forest Park Parkway on the south, and Brentwood Boulevard on the west. The neighborhood is served by [[MetroLink (St. Louis)|MetroLink]] via the [[Blue Line (St. Louis MetroLink)|Blue Line]] at the [[Clayton station|Clayton]] and [[Forsyth station|Forsyth]] stations.

==== Moorlands ====
Like Clayton's other urban, walkable neighborhoods, the Moorlands is characterized by large, pre-war masonry apartment buildings and single family homes with high-rise apartment buildings along Hanley Road and a small commercial district at the intersection of Hanley and Wydown Boulevard. Most of the single family homes are concentrated east of Glenridge Drive while most of the apartment buildings are concentrated to the west. The neighborhood's boundaries are Wydown Boulevard on the north, Audubon Drive on the east, Clayton Road on the south, and Hanley Road on the west.

==== North Clayton ====
North Clayton is a dense, walkable set of neighborhoods that encompass all of Clayton north of Maryland Avenue. The area is mostly made up of single family homes with office, apartment and condo buildings located primarily between Meramec Avenue and Brentwood Boulevard. Commercial corridors include Meramec and Maryland avenues. The neighborhood is home to Kol Rinah synagogue, St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Mid County branch of the [[St. Louis County Library]], and Centene's corporate training center. Neighborhood parks include Taylor Park and Hanley Park which includes the historic Hanley House.

Subdivisions within North Clayton include the Bemiston additions, Clayton Gardens, Colonial Park, Hanley Place, and Maryland Terrace. Its boundaries to the north and east are the city limits with University City, its southern boundary is Maryland Avenue, and its western boundary is the Ladue city limit.

==== Other neighborhoods ====
Other neighborhoods and subdivisions within Clayton include Brentmoor and Brentmoor Park, Carrswold, Ellenwood, Forest Ridge, Hillcrest, Parkside, Skinker Heights, Southmoor, Tesson, Tuscany Park, Wydown Forest, and Wydown Terrace.

==Demographics==
In the St. Louis region, Clayton is well known for housing a wealthy, educated, professional, and often dual-income population.{{US Census population
| 1890 = 402
| 1920 = 3028
| 1930 = 9613
| 1940 = 13069
| 1950 = 16035
| 1960 = 15245
| 1970 = 16100
| 1980 = 14219
| 1990 = 13874
| 2000 = 12825
| 2010 = 15939
| 2020 = 17355
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=November 26, 2014}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov| access-date=2023-12-17 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> counted 17,355 people, 5,587 households, and 3,275 families in Clayton. The population density was 6,914.3 per square mile (2,674.1/km{{sup|2}}). There were 6,061 housing units at an average density of 2,414.7 per square mile (933.9/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup was 71.37% (12,386) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 8.07% (1,400) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black or African-American]], 0.16% (28) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 12.88% (2,235) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% (2) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.04% (181) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 6.47% (1,123) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 3.6% (609) of the population.

Of the 5,587 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18; 50.2% were married couples living together; 27.8% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 34.5% consisted of individuals and 10.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 2.9.

16.8% of the population was under the age of 18, 25.4% from 18 to 24, 21.7% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.9 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 96.2 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov|access-date=2023-12-17|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> estimates show that the median household income was $108,387 (with a margin of error of +/- $9,440) and the median family income was $157,621 (+/- $21,434). Males had a median income of $54,146 (+/- $10,043) versus $36,023 (+/- $10,664) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $42,336 (+/- $3,903). Approximately, 6.2% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 5.2% of those under the age of 18 and 2.8% of those ages 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-07-08}}</ref> of 2010, there were 15,939 people, 5,322 households, and 2,921 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|6427.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 6,321 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2548.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 78.0% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 8.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 10.8% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.4% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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 [[2000 United States census|census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 12,825 people, 5,370 households, and 2,797 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|5,164.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 5,852 housing units at an average density of {{convert|2,356.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 84.94% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.77% [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]], 0.12% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 5.62% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.29% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.22% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|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 [[Marriage|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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mayor & Board Of Aldermen |url=https://www.claytonmo.gov/government/mayor-board-of-aldermen |website=claytonmo.gov |access-date=27 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=City Clerk |url=https://www.claytonmo.gov/government/city-clerk |website=claytonmo.gov |access-date=27 May 2022}}</ref> Police services are provided by the Clayton Police Department, led by Chief Mark J. Smith,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Police {{!}} City of Clayton, MO |url=https://www.claytonmo.gov/government/police |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=www.claytonmo.gov |language=en}}</ref> with fire and rescue services provided by the Clayton Fire Department, led by Chief Ernie Rhodes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fire {{!}} City of Clayton, MO |url=https://www.claytonmo.gov/government/fire |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=www.claytonmo.gov |language=en}}</ref>

Currently the mayor of Clayton is Michelle Harris and the Board of Aldermen includes:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
! colspan="3" |Clayton Board of Aldermen
|-
|'''Ward 1'''
|'''Ward 2'''
|'''Ward 3'''
|-
|Richard Lintz
|Ira Berkowitz
|Bridget McAndrew
|-
|Becky Patel
|Susan Buse
|Gary Feder
|-
| colspan="3" |[https://www.claytonmo.gov/government/mayor-board-of-aldermen Clayton Mayor & Board of Aldermen]
|}
Because of its status as the [[St. Louis County, Missouri|St. Louis County]] seat, Clayton is home to the St. Louis County Council, the St. Louis County courts, the Buzz Westfall Justice Center, and the [[St. Louis County Police Department|St. Louis County Police]] headquarters.

==Economy==
[[File:MetroLink Blue Line in Clayton.jpg|thumb|Downtown Clayton]]
Clayton is one of the St. Louis region's primary business districts and the second largest after [[downtown St. Louis]]. The city boasts roughly 46,000 daytime employees<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2021-09-30 |title=City of Clayton CAFR |url=https://www.claytonmo.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/5910/637841603236670000 |access-date=2022-11-14 |publisher=City of Clayton |page=102}}</ref> and is home to a large and diverse group of the region's [[Fortune 1000]] headquarters, [[Blue chip (stock market)|blue chip]] companies, law firms, and banks.

In addition to the largest employers listed below, other companies that call Clayton home or have operations there include [[Bank of America]], [[Barry-Wehmiller]], [[Cassidy Turley]], [[Cushman & Wakefield]], [[JPMorgan Chase]], [[Stifel]], and [[Straub's Markets]]. The unemployment rate in 2021 was 1.3%.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2021-09-30 |title=City of Clayton CAFR |url=https://www.claytonmo.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/5910/637841603236670000 |access-date=2022-11-14 |publisher=City of Clayton |page=101}}</ref> In 2024, due to a shift in post-pandemic work patterns, the Clayton Chamber of Commerce closed.<ref name="stltoday.com">https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/business/the-clayton-chamber-of-commerce-is-closing-other-local-chambers-are-thriving/article_5484361a-8fd3-11ef-9246-e7e89cddc31b.html</ref>

===Largest employers===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees <small>‡</small>
|-
|1
|[[Centene]]
|2,879
|-
|2
|St. Louis County
|1,121
|-
|3
|[[Enterprise Holdings]]
|1,071
|-
|4
|[[Washington University in St. Louis|Washington University]]
|809
|-
|5
|[[Caleres]]
|588
|-
|6
|[[Commerce Bancshares|Commerce Bank]]
|536
|-
|7
|[[School District of Clayton]]
|454
|-
|8
|Husch Blackwell
|383
|-
|9
|[[Armstrong Teasdale]]
|376
|-
|10
|Moneta Group, LLC
|367
|-
| colspan="3" |<small>‡ City of Clayton Comprehensive Annual Financial Report<ref name=":2" /></small>
|}

==Transportation==
===Public transportation===
[[File:Clayton Transit Center 1.jpg|thumb|Clayton Transit Center]]

Clayton is served by the [[Blue Line (St. Louis MetroLink)|Blue Line]] of the St. Louis region's [[MetroLink (St. Louis)|MetroLink]] [[light rail]] system. The city has two stations: the [[Forsyth station|Forsyth]] station, which serves downtown Clayton but is within city limits of [[University City, Missouri|University City]]; and [[Clayton station|Clayton]]. Metro Transit also operates the Clayton Transit Center on Shaw Park Drive, which connects the Clayton light rail station with multiple [[MetroBus (St. Louis)|MetroBus]] routes and [[paratransit]] services.

===Major roads and highways===
Major arterial routes in Clayton include Big Bend Boulevard, Brentwood Boulevard, Clayton Road, [[Forest Park Parkway (St. Louis)|Forest Park Parkway]], Hanley Road, and [[Interstate 170]]. Forsyth Boulevard (which changes to Old Bonhomme between North Clayton and University City) was at one time an ancient Native American trail and was part of the route of the [[1904 Summer Olympics|1904 Olympic]] marathon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holleman |first=Joe |title=Spotlight: Lone marker notes 1904 Olympic marathon route, but who put it up? |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/joe-holleman/spotlight-lone-marker-notes-1904-olympic-marathon-route-but-who-put-it-up/article_3b83b36e-a0f4-5f01-9287-d394e63959b9.html |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}</ref> Other primary routes in the city include Maryland Avenue and Wydown Boulevard, the latter of which was named a Great Street by the [[American Planning Association]] in 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wydown Boulevard: Clayton, Missouri |url=https://www.planning.org/greatplaces/streets/2010/wydownboulevard.htm |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=American Planning Association}}</ref>

== Education ==

=== Higher education ===
[[File:Clocktower on s40.jpg|thumb|upright|The clocktower in the center of the South 40]]
The city was home to [[Fontbonne University]] until it closed in early May 2025 and open higher institutions include [[Concordia Seminary]] of the [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod]]. A portion of Washington University's [[Danforth Campus]], the South 40, is located in eastern Clayton and primarily consists of student housing.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Teresa |date=2018-10-29 |title=South 40 Residential Colleges |url=https://students.wustl.edu/south-40-residential-colleges-first-second-year-students/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=Students |language=en-US}}</ref> Washington University's West Campus is located in downtown Clayton and houses offices for the library, information technology, and other university departments.<ref>{{Cite web |title=West Campus |url=https://wustl.edu/about/campuses/west-campus/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=Washington University in St. Louis |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2007, Washington University acquired its South Campus in the DeMun neighborhood which is used primarily by intramural and club sports programs in addition to community theater groups.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Campus |url=https://wustl.edu/about/campuses/south-campus/ |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=Washington University in St. Louis |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Primary and secondary schools===
The city's public schools are operated by the [[School District of Clayton]], which includes the entire city.<!--UNI 09720--><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st29_mo/schooldistrict_maps/c29189_st_louis/DC20SD_C29189.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: St. Louis County, MO|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-06-17|pages=2, 4 (PDF p. 3, 5/5)}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st29_mo/schooldistrict_maps/c29189_st_louis/DC20SD_C29189_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> Its three public elementary schools are Glenridge Elementary School in the Moorlands neighborhood, Captain Elementary School in the DeMun neighborhood, and Meramec Elementary School in Davis Place. These schools feed into Wydown Middle School on Wydown Boulevard which in turn feeds into [[Clayton High School (Missouri)|Clayton High School]], next to Shaw Park near downtown Clayton. In 2021 the district's enrollment was 2,412 students.<ref name=":3" />

Several of Clayton's elementary schools have been closed or repurposed. Bellevue School served one year as the Seventh Grade Center and was ultimately sold, demolished, and replaced with a medical office building connected to St. Mary's Hospital across Bellevue Avenue. Gay School is now the Clayton Family Center; Maryland School has been repurposed into a Centene training center;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Post-Dispatch |first=Samantha Liss St Louis |title=Centene to buy Maryland School in Clayton |url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/centene-to-buy-maryland-school-in-clayton/article_6bcf298c-4fae-5ff5-8899-6acf2e7b7b91.html |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Post-Dispatch |first=Richard H. Weiss Special to the |title=Clayton was once home to a thriving African American community |url=https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/clayton-was-once-home-to-a-thriving-african-american-community/article_54e752d5-49c3-5c1d-861c-a5eea8dfcbcf.html |access-date=2022-11-14 |website=STLtoday.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Public libraries===
The [[St. Louis County Library]] operates the Mid-County Branch in Clayton, which was rebuilt and reopened on September 4, 2020.<ref name="Claytonmap">"[http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US2914572&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on Clayton city, Missouri] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906013625/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/MapItDrawServlet?geo_id=16000US2914572&_bucket_id=50&tree_id=420&context=saff&_lang=en&_sse=on|date=2009-09-06}}." ''[[U.S. Census Bureau]]''. Retrieved on June 13, 2009.</ref><ref>"[http://www.slcl.org/branches/mc/ Mid-County Branch] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090729005059/http://www.slcl.org/branches/mc/ |date=2009-07-29 }}." [[St. Louis County Library]]. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Henderson|first=Jane|title=New Mid-County library to open Sept. 4 in Clayton|url=https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/book-blog/new-mid-county-library-to-open-sept-4-in-clayton/article_56c72ac8-c1c0-5da4-8969-a49c297dbc6d.html|access-date=2020-10-19|website=STLtoday.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Parks and recreation==
At 30-acres, [[Shaw Park, Clayton|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. The park hosts Clayton's [[Independence Day (United States)|Independence Day]] celebration and the Taste of Clayton food festival. The city's second-largest park is the 14.5-acre [[Oak Knoll Park]] which was once home to the St. Louis area's [[Academy of Science, St. Louis|Academy of Science]] before the organization moved to Forest Park and became the [[Saint Louis Science Center|St. Louis Science Center]].

Clayton is home to several additional neighborhood parks that include Anderson Park, Clayshire Park, Concordia Park, DeMun Park, Hanley Park, Henry Wright Park, Maryland Avenue Park, Taylor Park, Whitburn Park, and Wydown Park.

Additionally, the city is served by the [[The Great Rivers Greenway District|Great Rivers Greenway District]]'s Centennial Greenway, which enters the city on the north near Gay Avenue and ends in Shaw Park. Other routes with dedicated bicycle lanes include Maryland Avenue and Wydown Boulevard, the latter of which connects Clayton to St. Louis' [[Forest Park (St. Louis)|Forest Park]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Clayton, Missouri}}
{{Portal|Missouri}}
* [http://www.claytonmo.gov/ City of Clayton official website]
* [http://claytonhistorysociety.org/ Clayton History Society]
* [http://oldtownclayton.org/ Old Town Clayton]

{{Clayton, Missouri}}
{{St. Louis County, Missouri}}
{{St. Louis MSA}}
{{Missouri county seats}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Clayton, Missouri|*]]
[[Category:Cities in St. Louis County, Missouri]]
[[Category:County seats in Missouri]]
[[Category:Cities in Missouri]]
[[Category:1877 establishments in Missouri]]