Florissant, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Florissant is a second-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in northern St. Louis County
, Missouri
, United States
. The city has a total population of 52,158 in 2010 census.
. The first civil government was formed in 1786 by Francois Dunegant dit Borosier who served as the civil and military commandant. Spanish archives in Havana
reveal there were 40 people and seven plantations in Florissant at the time of the 1787 census. The village, called "Fleurissant," or "Blooming" in English, by its French settlers and "St. Ferdinand" by its Spanish rulers, was a typical French village with its commons and common fields.
Originally a separate town, and now an inner suburb of St. Louis, the community was centered on (and frequently called after) the parish of St. Ferdinand
. As late as 1889, the town was predominantly French-speaking (while the southern portion of the metropolis was populated by German-speakers).
of 2000, there were 50,497 people, 20,399 households, and 13,687 families residing in the city. The population density
was 4,442.4 people per square mile (1,714.8/km²). There were 21,027 housing units at an average density of 1,849.8 per square mile (714.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.66% White, 10.51% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races
, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.
There were 20,399 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples
living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city, the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,462, and the median income for a family was $52,195. Males had a median income of $37,434 versus $27,247 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,622. About 2.7% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
and Ferguson-Florissant
public school districts. McCluer North High School
and McCluer High School
of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, and North Technical High School are high schools found within Florissant. Hazelwood Central is the only High School in Florissant belonging to the Hazelwood School District Hazelwood Northwest Middle School and several elementary schools are within the limits.
is a preschool through grade 12 Christian school that is theologically associated with the Church of the Nazarene
.
Several kindergarten through 8th grade parochial school
s reside in Florissant. These include Sacred Heart, St. Angela Merici, St. Ferdinand, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, and Saint Norbert.
, an extension campus, and barber college. Saint Louis Christian College
is a private four year undergraduate institution that is theologically and ecclesiastically associated with the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. The Gateway College of Evangelism
is located at the former St. Stanislaus Jesuit seminary and is theologically associated with the United Pentecostal Church International
. Lindenwood University
has its offsite North County Campus located in the former Our Lady of Fatima School. Missouri School of Barbering and Hairstyling-St Louis is also located in Florissant.
Florissant Valley Community College and University of Missouri-St. Louis
are located in close proximity to the city.
operates the Florissant Valley Branch in Florissant.
→
St. Louis County, Missouri
St. Louis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Its county seat is Clayton. St. Louis County is part of the St. Louis Metro Area wherein the independent City of St. Louis and its suburbs in St. Louis County, as well as the surrounding counties in both Missouri and Illinois all...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The city has a total population of 52,158 in 2010 census.
History
The exact date the first settlers went to the Valley of Florissant is unknown, but it is one of the oldest settlements in the state of Missouri. Some historians believe it was settled about the same time as St. LouisSt. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. The first civil government was formed in 1786 by Francois Dunegant dit Borosier who served as the civil and military commandant. Spanish archives in Havana
Havana
Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous...
reveal there were 40 people and seven plantations in Florissant at the time of the 1787 census. The village, called "Fleurissant," or "Blooming" in English, by its French settlers and "St. Ferdinand" by its Spanish rulers, was a typical French village with its commons and common fields.
Originally a separate town, and now an inner suburb of St. Louis, the community was centered on (and frequently called after) the parish of St. Ferdinand
Old St. Ferdinand Shrine
Old St. Ferdinand Shrine and Historic Site is located at no. 1 rue St. Francois, Florissant, Missouri and is owned, preserved, maintained and protected by the non-profit organization, Friends of Old St. Ferdinand Inc...
. As late as 1889, the town was predominantly French-speaking (while the southern portion of the metropolis was populated by German-speakers).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 50,497 people, 20,399 households, and 13,687 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 4,442.4 people per square mile (1,714.8/km²). There were 21,027 housing units at an average density of 1,849.8 per square mile (714.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 86.66% White, 10.51% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.49% of the population.
There were 20,399 households out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the city, the population was spread out with 24.7% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 20.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $44,462, and the median income for a family was $52,195. Males had a median income of $37,434 versus $27,247 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $20,622. About 2.7% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.5% of those under age 18 and 3.7% of those age 65 or over.
Public
Florissant is home to the HazelwoodHazelwood School District
Hazelwood School District is a school district covering a large portion of north St. Louis County, Missouri, including the cities of Florissant, Hazelwood, Black Jack, Spanish Lake, Ferguson, Bellefontaine Neighbors, and Bridgeton....
and Ferguson-Florissant
Ferguson-Florissant School District
The Ferguson-Florissant School District is a school district located in suburban St. Louis, Missouri. Its headquarters are in Florissant. The superintendent is Jeffrey R. Spiegel and he will retire as of June 30, 2011. On December 8, 2010, the Board of Education named Dr. Art J. McCoy,II as its...
public school districts. McCluer North High School
McCluer North High School
McCluer North High School, founded in 1971, is a public school in Florissant, Missouri. The McCluer North campus is centrally located in the Ferguson-Florissant School District. Located in a residential area, the campus is bounded by Waterford Drive, St. Catherine and Parker Road. Facing the site...
and McCluer High School
McCluer High School
McCluer High School is a high school located in Florissant, Missouri. The principal is Gary Spiller, and the school is the home of the McCluer Comets. It is a part of the Ferguson-Florissant School District.-History:...
of the Ferguson-Florissant School District, and North Technical High School are high schools found within Florissant. Hazelwood Central is the only High School in Florissant belonging to the Hazelwood School District Hazelwood Northwest Middle School and several elementary schools are within the limits.
Private
North County Christian SchoolNorth County Christian School
North County Christian School is in its 47th year of continued Christian education in Florissant, Missouri, USA. Established in 1962 with a kindergarten class of 12 students, NCCS has grown to a school of 540 preschool, elementary, middle and high school students...
is a preschool through grade 12 Christian school that is theologically associated with the Church of the Nazarene
Church of the Nazarene
The Church of the Nazarene is an evangelical Christian denomination that emerged from the 19th century Holiness movement in North America with its members colloquially referred to as Nazarenes. It is the largest Wesleyan-holiness denomination in the world. At the end of 2010, the Church of the...
.
Several kindergarten through 8th grade parochial school
Parochial school
A parochial school is a school that provides religious education in addition to conventional education. In a narrower sense, a parochial school is a Christian grammar school or high school which is part of, and run by, a parish.-United Kingdom:...
s reside in Florissant. These include Sacred Heart, St. Angela Merici, St. Ferdinand, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, and Saint Norbert.
Higher education
Florissant is home to two theological collegesSeminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
, an extension campus, and barber college. Saint Louis Christian College
Saint Louis Christian College
Saint Louis Christian College is a private four year undergraduate bible college located in Florissant, Missouri. It is theologically and ecclesiastically associated with the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. It is accredited by the Association for Biblical Higher Education...
is a private four year undergraduate institution that is theologically and ecclesiastically associated with the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ. The Gateway College of Evangelism
Gateway College of Evangelism
Gateway College of Evangelism is a Bible college in Florissant, Missouri, near St. Louis. It is affiliated with the United Pentecostal Church International. It is currently not accredited, but offers 2-year and 4-year degrees.-History:...
is located at the former St. Stanislaus Jesuit seminary and is theologically associated with the United Pentecostal Church International
United Pentecostal Church International
The United Pentecostal Church International is a Pentecostal Christian denomination, headquartered in the St. Louis suburb of Hazelwood, Missouri. It is a part of the Oneness or "Apostolic" portion of the Pentecostal Movement, and was formed in 1945 by a merger of the former Pentecostal Church,...
. Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University, often referred to as Lindenwood or LU, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Saint Charles, Missouri, United States...
has its offsite North County Campus located in the former Our Lady of Fatima School. Missouri School of Barbering and Hairstyling-St Louis is also located in Florissant.
Florissant Valley Community College and University of Missouri-St. Louis
University of Missouri–St. Louis
The University of Missouri–St. Louis is one of four universities in the University of Missouri System. Established in 1963, it is the newest university in the UM System. , it is the largest university by enrollment in the St. Louis area with 16,548 students...
are located in close proximity to the city.
Public libraries
St. Louis County LibrarySt. Louis County Library
St. Louis County Library serves residents of St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. It is the busiest public library in Missouri, circulating nearly 12 million items in 2010. It consists of 20 branches, including the Headquarters branch, which is located at 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd in Ladue....
operates the Florissant Valley Branch in Florissant.
Notable residents
- Cedric the EntertainerCedric the EntertainerCedric Antonio Kyles , known professionally by his stage name Cedric the Entertainer, is an American actor, comedian and director...
, comedianComedianA comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy... - ChingyChingyHoward Bailey, Jr. , better known by his stage name Chingy, is an American rapper.Chingy grew up in the Walnut Park section of St. Louis and began rapping in earnest in his late teens...
, rapper - Bob ChristianBob ChristianRobert Douglas Christian is a former American football fullback who played ten seasons in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears, the Carolina Panthers, and the Atlanta Falcons from 1992 to 2002. He was selected by the Carolina Panthers in the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft...
, NFL running backRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... - Pierre-Jean De SmetPierre-Jean De SmetPierre-Jean De Smet , also known as Pieter-Jan De Smet, was a Belgian Roman Catholic priest and member of the Society of Jesus , active in missionary work among the Native Americans of the Midwestern United States in the mid-19th century.His extensive travels as a missionary were said to total...
, Catholic priest and missionary - Rose Philippine DuchesneRose Philippine DuchesneSaint Rose Philippine Duchesne, R.S.C.J., was a Catholic Religious Sister and French-American saint. She spent the last half of her life teaching and serving the people of the Midwestern United States....
, Catholic nun and missionary declared a saintSaintA saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
in 1988 - James J. EaganJames J. EaganJames J. "Jim" Eagan was the long time Mayor of Florissant, Missouri in St. Louis County.-Early life:Eagan was a politcian in St. Louis before becoming Mayor of Florissant...
, former mayorMayorIn many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
(1963-2000) - Shandi FinnesseyShandi FinnesseyShandi Ren Finnessey is an American beauty queen, model, television hostess, and actress. She is best known for winning the Miss USA title, as Miss Missouri USA. She previously held the title of Miss Missouri 2002 and competed in Miss America where she won a preliminary award...
, Miss USAMiss USAThe Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
2004, co-host of Lingo and PlayManiaPlayManiaPlayMania is a live interactive game show on GSN, hosted by Mel Peachey, Shandi Finnessey, Jessica York, Angelle Tymon and Jeff Thisted. The two-hour program featured interactive games that the viewers could play to win cash prizes... - Robert G. LoweryRobert G. LoweryRobert G. Lowery, Sr. was the mayor of the city of Florissant, Missouri in northern St. Louis County, Missouri, since November, 2001. Before becoming mayor, Lowery served as a police officer and the police chief of Florissant and has served the citizens of Florissant in various capacities for...
, former mayor (2000-2011) - Kathleen MadiganKathleen MadiganKathleen Madigan is an American comedian.-Early life:Kathleen Madigan grew up in the St. Louis suburb of Florissant as one of seven children in a large Irish-American family...
, comedian - Kyle McClellanKyle McClellanKyle William McClellan is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Hazelwood West High School. After graduating from high school, McClellan was drafted by the St...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player - Al NipperAl NipperAlbert Samuel Nipper is an American professional baseball coach and a former Major League pitcher who played for the Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians...
, former Major League Baseball player - "Cowboy" Bob Orton JrBob Orton, Jr.Robert Keith Orton is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, "Cowboy" Bob Orton. He is the father of wrestler Randy Orton, who is signed to World Wrestling Entertainment...
, WWE Hall of FameWWE Hall of FameThe WWE Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for professional wrestlers maintained by WWE. It was officially created on the February 1, 1993 episode of the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw television program... - Randy OrtonRandy OrtonRandal Keith "Randy" Orton is an American professional wrestler and actor. He is signed to WWE wrestling on its SmackDown brand...
, WWEWorld Wrestling EntertainmentWorld Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. is an American publicly traded, privately controlled entertainment company dealing primarily in professional wrestling, with major revenue sources also coming from film, music, product licensing, and direct product sales...
wrestler - Neil RackersNeil RackersNeil William Rackers is an American football placekicker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft...
, NFL football player - Bobby RhineBobby RhineBobby Rhine was an American soccer player who last played for FC Dallas of Major League Soccer.Rhine played college soccer at the University of Connecticut, where he was a second-team All-American in 1998. He was drafted by the then-Dallas Burn sixth overall in the 1999 MLS College Draft...
, Major League SoccerMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
player - Kerry RobinsonKerry RobinsonKerry Keith Robinson is a former American professional baseball player. Robinson started at an early age playing baseball for N.Y.A. in St. Louis MO...
, former Major League Baseball player - Kimora Lee SimmonsKimora Lee SimmonsKimora Lee Simmons is an American fashion model, and former president and Creative Director for Phat Fashions.-Early life:...
, retired supermodelSupermodelThe term supermodel refers to a highly-paid fashion model who usually has a worldwide reputation and often a background in haute couture and commercial modeling. The term became prominent in the popular culture of the 1980s. Supermodels usually work for top fashion designers and labels...
, head of design for Baby PhatBaby PhatBaby Phat is an urban fashion line of clothing and other items for women and girls. Besides clothing, the brand also includes accessories for phones, jewelry, shoes and fragrances. It is the corporate "sibling" of the clothing brand Phat Farm created by Russell Simmons. Baby Phat uses a sleek cat...
, and occasional actress - Mike Sorber, Major League Soccer player
- Perry Van der BeckPerry Van der BeckPerry Van der Beck is a retired U.S. soccer midfielder and manager and a current soccer executive....
, North American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer LeagueNorth American Soccer League was a professional soccer league with teams in the United States and Canada that operated from 1968 to 1984.-History:...
, Major Indoor Soccer League, National Professional Soccer LeagueNational Professional Soccer LeagueThe National Professional Soccer League was a professional indoor soccer league in the USA. It started out as the American Indoor Soccer Association in 1984 but changed its name to the National Professional Soccer League in 1990...
player and coach and a former U.S. Soccer Athlete of the YearU.S. Soccer Athlete of the YearThe U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year is given by the United States Soccer Federation to the American soccer players judged best in the calendar year. It is the longest running major American soccer award... - Ira VandeverIra VandeverIra Matthew Vandever is the starting quarterback for the Stuttgart Scorpions in the German Football League. He attended McCluer North High School in Florissant, Missouri where he was a two year starter, and also Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where he was a four year starter...
, quarterback for the Stuttgart ScorpionsStuttgart ScorpionsThe Stuttgart Scorpions are an American football team from Stuttgart, Germany.The clubs greatest success came in 2007, when it reached the German Bowl but lost to the Braunschweig Lions.-History:The Stuttgart Scorpions were formed in December 1982...
in the German Football LeagueGerman Football LeagueThe German Football League is the elite league for American football in Germany. Playing rules are based on those of the American NCAA.... - Dick WeberDick WeberDick Weber was a famous bowling professional and a founding member of the Professional Bowlers Association...
, Hall of FameInternational Bowling Museum and Hall of FameThe International Bowling Museum is located inside the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas. It reopened there on January 26, 2010, after having been located in St. Louis, Missouri, until November 2008...
bowlerBowlingBowling Bowling Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule Bowling (1375–1425; late Middle English bowle, variant of boule... - Pete WeberPete WeberPeter David "Pete" Weber, nicknamed “PDW”, , is a famous bowling professional on the Professional Bowlers Association Tour. Weber is one of the sport's most popular active players and is well known for his maverick, rebellious personality...
, Hall of Fame bowler
External links
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