Fenton is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States, and a suburb of St. Louis. The population was 4,360 at the 2000 census. It is the home of and the headquarters of televangelist Joyce Meyer.
History
Due to its proximity to fertile land and the Meramec River, the Fenton area has been inhabited for over 1,000 years. The earliest proof of ancient dwellers was excavated from the "Fenton Mounds," two conical, earthen burial mounds located near the southwestern border of the City of Fenton. Diagnostic pottery shards from the mounds indicate they date from the Mississippian Times, A.D. 1050 - 1400.[3] In 2001, the mounds were leveled for construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter [4].
The Fenton territory was occupied by native Americans and early settlers in the 1770s. William Lindsay Long founded the city of Fenton on March 23, 1818. The original eight square block area is now referred to as "Old Towne Fenton." [5]
Geography
Fenton is located at 38°31′41″N 90°26′39″W / 38.52806°N 90.44417°W / 38.52806; -90.44417 (38.527953, -90.444195)[6].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.4 square miles (16.7 km²), of which, 6.1 square miles (15.9 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (4.66%) is water.
The topography of the Fenton area is predominated by rolling hills.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 4,360 people, 1,587 households, and 1,239 families residing in the city. The population density was 710.7 people per square mile (274.6/km²). There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of 265.9/sq mi (102.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.98% White, 0.39% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.18% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.
There were 1,587 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.7% were married couples living together, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 29.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $74,708, and the median income for a family was $80,536. Males had a median income of $56,425 versus $34,514 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,658. About 0.6% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.8% of those under age 18 and 3.8% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Chrysler LLC assembly North and South plants are located on North Highway Dr. in Fenton, the South plant assembled the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan. The North plant assembled the Dodge Ram Truck. Other major corporations in the city include the Nooter Corporation—makers of industrial equipment, UniGroup—owners of United and Mayflower van and truck lines, Wolff Shoe, and the Fabick Company—a large Caterpillar construction equipment dealer.
The majority of the Chrysler Plant has been closed officially since 10/29/08, but it has recently been announced that the North plant will restart operations beginning 6/29/09, to finish off the 2009 model year and then shut down completely. Chrysler will finance operations in Mexico with United States Taxpayer money to fill the void left from closing the Fenton assembly plants. [citation needed] Chrysler officially ended 50 years of production in Fenton in July 2009 after a bid to keep the company solvent with federal bailout funds failed. A number of the Dodge Ram pick-up trucks and Chrysler minivans, once produced in Fenton are now manufactured in Canada and Mexico, as Chrysler emerges from bankruptcy under the management of Fiat SpA, the Italian automaker.
Education
St. Louis County Library Meramec Valley Branch is in Fenton.[7][8]
References
External links
