Fenton is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States, and a suburb of St. Louis. The population was 4,022 at the 2010 census.[3]
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 Fenton. Diagnostic pottery shards from the mounds indicate they date from the Mississippian times, A.D. 1050 - 1400.[4] In 2001, the mounds were leveled for construction of a Wal-Mart Supercenter.[5]
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". The city remained unincorporated for the next 130 years. Garrett Hitzert was the City's First Mayor after the city incorporated in 1948, his leadership helped build the foundation that much of the city's on going prosperity has been based on. He conceived of Fenton's expansive commercial business district that is a center piece of the city's fiscal success. [6]
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)[7].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.4 square miles (17 km2), of which 6.1 square miles (16 km2) is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km2), or 4.66%, is water.
The topography of the Fenton area is predominated by rolling hills.
Demographics
| Historical populations |
| Year |
Pop. |
±% |
| 2000 |
4,360 |
— |
| 2010 |
4,022 |
−7.8% |
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 per square mile (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
Major corporations in Fenton
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. Joyce Meyer Ministries is also based in Fenton.
Chrysler
The former Chrysler North and South assembly plants are located on North Highway Drive in Fenton. In their later years, the South plant assembled Chrysler minivans such as the Chrysler Town & Country and the Dodge Grand Caravan, while the North plant assembled the Dodge Ram truck. The South plant ceased operations in 2008, while the North plant shut down for good in July 2009.
Education
The city of Fenton is served by the Northwest, Rockwood and Lindbergh school districts.[8] Two private schools are located in Fenton, Our Savior Lutheran School and St. Paul Catholic School. St. Louis County Library Meramec Valley Branch is in Fenton.[9][10]
Notable Residents
- Joyce Meyer, Christian author and speaker
- Craig Stewart, Adventurer
- Kevin Ratliff, Independent Contractor
- Kyle Black, Glass Artist
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Race, Hispanic or Latino, Age, and Housing Occupancy: 2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File (QT-PL), Fenton city, Missouri". U.S. Census Bureau, American FactFinder 2. http://factfinder2.census.gov. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ^ "2008 Bioarchaeological Analysis of the Fenton Mounds," Wescott, Daniel J., Missouri Archaeologist 68
- ^ "Grave Losses: Lax laws and uncaring bureaucrats cause Missouri to erase another prehistoric mound" Batz, Jeannette. Riverfront Times. October 31, 2001
- ^ "A Brief History of Fenton." Fenton Historical Society.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "Mayor's Welcome"
- ^ "Meramec Valley Branch." St. Louis County Library. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
- ^ "Fenton city, Missouri." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on August 18, 2009.
External links
| Best Weather on the Web
