St. Peters is a city in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The population was 57,732 at the 2020 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in Missouri. It is a northwestern suburb of St. Louis.
Interstate 70 passes through the city, providing a major transportation link. In 2008, St. Peters was named the 60th best place to live by Money magazine, putting it at the top in the state of Missouri. It also ranked in Money magazine's Top 100 in 2010, 2012 and 2017. The city also hosts the county's largest shopping center, Mid Rivers Mall.
History
Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the area that would become St. Peters was inhabited by Mississippian mound builders. The remains of a village were uncovered during the construction of I-70 in 1954 and a street near the site was later named Mound Drive after the mounds built by the villagers.
One of the first documented sources about European settlers in the area is a Spanish census from 1791, which documented a land grant. St. Peters was named for a Jesuit mission established there. In 1895, music was a binding factor for the area, with a well-known cornet band.
Throughout most of the twentieth century, St. Peters was a small farming town. As recently as 1970, St. Peters had a population of only 486. The population rapidly increased to 15,700 by 1980 and within the span of a decade the community changed from a small rural town to a more suburban community. The city continued its rapid growth through the 1980s and by 1990 had a population of 40,660. St. Peters population increased to an estimated 52,575 as of 2010. St.Peters celebrated its 50th year as a city in 2009, and marked its 100th year as a town in 2010, having become a town in 1910 and a city in 1959.
During flooding in the region, the National Weather Service reported of rainfall in St. Peters for July 26, 2022, considered an unofficial record.
Geography
St. Peters is located at (38.778893, -90.603131). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
Climate
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 52,575 people, 20,861 households, and 14,244 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 21,717 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 91.7% White, 3.7% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.5% of the population.
There were 20,861 households, of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.7% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.05.
The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 23.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.9% were from 25 to 44; 30% were from 45 to 64; and 11.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,381 people, 18,435 households, and 13,936 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 18,776 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.25% White, 2.80% African American, 0.20% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.
There were 18,435 households, out of which 42.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.8% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the city the population was spread out, with 30.0% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.6 males.