Creve Coeur is a city located in mid St. Louis County, Missouri, United States, a part of Greater St. Louis. Its population was 18,834 at the 2020 census. Creve Coeur borders and shares a ZIP code (63141) with the neighboring city of Town and Country. It is home to the headquarters of Drury Hotels, and was the home of Monsanto until its acquisition by Bayer in 2018.
History
The name crève cœur (, "heartbreak") is said to derive from Creve Coeur Lake. According to the city's website, the tale goes that the lake "formed itself into a broken heart" after an Indian princess's unrequited love for a French fur trapper led her to jump "from a ledge overlooking" the lake.
Written accounts and archaeological finds show that Native Americans inhabited the Creve Coeur area from 9500 BC to 1800 AD. French explorers began farming and fishing in the area in the early 18th century, and fur trappers settled there in the early 19th century. When the area was acquired by the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the Lewis and Clark Expedition came through Creve Coeur. During the American Civil War, men from the area served on both sides of the conflict, but most residents were southern sympathizers.
Creve Coeur was incorporated in 1949. Although cabins more than 200 years old (including two still in Conway Park) are in the community, it grew primarily as a stopping point along Olive Boulevard (now Route 340) between University City and Creve Coeur Lake. It expanded faster following construction of Interstate 270 and U.S. Route 40.
The lake and its associated park of the same name, which was the first county park in St. Louis County, is now part of Maryland Heights to the north of Creve Coeur.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
Government
The City of Creve Coeur's Charter was adopted in 1976, providing for a council-city administrator form of government. The mayor is elected by the voters while the city council consists of eight members (two members representing each of four wards, council members are elected to serve staggered two-year terms). The mayor is elected at large for a three-year term. The city administrator is hired by the city council and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city. Creve Coeur has 104 government employees.
The city is located in the 2nd Congressional District, 7th and 24th State Senate District, and 82nd and 87th State Representative Districts.
Ratings and accreditations
The City of Creve Coeur's Standard & Poor bond rating is AAA, one of only four such rated cities in Missouri.
The city's police department is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Demographics
Ranked third in highest assessed value in St. Louis County the median income for a household in the city was $94,852, and the median income for a family was $99,100. Males had a median income of $65,106 versus $39,102 for females. The per capita income for the city was $59,496. About 1.8% of families and 2.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 2.7% of those age 65 or over.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, 18,834 people and 8,340 households were living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 71.2% White, 9.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 12.5% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 5.6% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.5% of the population.
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, 17,833 people, 7,654 households, and 4,717 families were living in the city. The population density was . The 8,433 housing units had an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 79.9% White, 7.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 10.1% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 2.6% of the population.
Of the 7,654 households, 26.0% had children under 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 6.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.4% were not families. About 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.4% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.26,and the average family size was 2.91.
The median age in the city was 44.3 years; 20.9% of residents were under 18; 7.4% were between 18 and 24; 22.6% were from 25 to 44; 28.5% were from 45 to 64; and 20.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.