Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

University City

University City, city (1990 pop. 40,087), St. Louis co., E Mo.; inc. 1906. A residential suburb of St. Louis, the city has light manufacturing, including textiles and metal fabrication. Washington Univ. is nearby.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia Copyright © 2004.
Licensed from Columbia University Press

University City, Missouri

University City is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 36,847 as of 2006. The main campus of Washington University in St. Louis is located southeast of University City between Skinker and Big Bend Boulevards. The university has helped shape the southern portion of the city, considered one of the most liberal communities in the St. Louis area.

The city is one of the older suburbs in the St. Louis area, having been a streetcar suburb in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; much historic architecture remains in the southern, older portion of the city, particularly along Delmar Boulevard. The northern portions of the city, mostly developed after World War II, have more of a suburban feel with many shopping centers and other automobile-centered development.

University City has much municipal open space, dominated by 85-acre Heman Park (which includes recreation and community centers and public pool facilities) and Ruth Park (a public golf course and nature trails). The city has six elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. The University City school district is separately managed from other school districts in the area. The school district is being aided by Project Appleseed in a $15-$20 million capital campaign to improve the high school facilities and establish them as the major recreation center for a large portion of St. Louis County.

Geography

University City is located at (38.663901, -90.328165). The southern border is approximated by Forest Park Parkway to Pershing. The eastern border is approximated by Skinker Boulevard. The western border is approximated by old McKnight (some of which is now Interstate 170).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 5.9 square miles (15.2 km²), all of it land.

The Delmar Loop, an entertainment, cultural and restaurant district, is located along Delmar Boulevard, parallel with and six blocks north of the northern boundary of the university. It's also home to the U. City Olive Link, an area known for the diverse cultures represented in its businesses, as well as its high concentration of restaurants and grocery stores offering East Asian items.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 37,428 people, 16,453 households, and 9,114 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,363.1 people per square mile (2,457.7/km²). There were 17,485 housing units at an average density of 2,972.6/sq mi (1,148.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 49.26% White, 45.35% African American, 0.16% Native American, 2.85% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.56% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.56% of the population. The city is considered (by inhabitants) to be divided roughly into three zones from north to south. North of Olive is predominantly Black or African American, from Olive to Delmar is mixed, and south of Delmar is predominantly White. Because of the city's racial composition, it has not been part of the integration busing program between the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County.

There were 16,453 households out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.3% were married couples living together, 16.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.6% were non-families. 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 11.3% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 84.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,902, and the median income for a family was $52,539. Males had a median income of $41,588 versus $30,440 for females. The per capita income for the city was $26,901. About 9.5% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.1% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

The city has long had a large middle-class Jewish presence. Jewish cemeteries and religious centers dot the city, serving U. City residents and those of nearby Clayton, which also has a high concentration of Jewish residents.

History

University City was founded by publisher Edward Gardner Lewis, who began developing the location in 1903 around his publishing complex for Woman's Magazine and Woman's Farm Journal. Historic buildings associated with municipal operations, including today's City Hall, were built by Lewis as facilities for his magazine enterprise. In 1906, the city incorporated and Lewis served as its first mayor.

The current mayor, Joseph "Joe" Adams, who has served since 1996 as the city's thirteenth mayor, and 1974–1995 as a city councilmember, was reelected mayor on April 4, 2006.