Clayton, Missouri

Clayton, Missouri, the county seat of St. Louis County, is a 2.5-square-mile suburb of St. Louis.  It is located directly south of University City, only nine miles from St. Louis, MO and 13 miles from St. Charles. Clayton's thriving metropolitan area is located in the eastern part of Missouri at the hub of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area.

When the City of St. Louis split from St. Louis County in 1876, the county courts and government offices were moved to Clayton at the urging of Ralph Clayton. Clayton donated the land for the county courthouse and the city was named in his honor. Businesses soon moved into Clayton to take advantage of the courthouse traffic. Residents of St. Louis seeking to escape from the crowded city fueled Clayton's growth. Today, Clayton, MO has combined a bustling downtown with quiet residential neighborhoods to create an outstanding quality of life for its citizens.

The U.S. Census Bureau recorded 12,825 residents for Clayton, Missouri in 2000. Families represent 52 percent of the population. More recent Missouri population estimates show Clayton's 2008 population at 16,088 residents, an increase of 25 percent.

The bustling Clayton business district is also home to more than 80 Forbes and Fortune 500 offices. The largest corporations in Clayton include Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Brown Group, Commerce Bank, The Ritz-Carlton and Ernst & Young. The Clayton Triangle, located in downtown Clayton, Missouri, offers fine dining and trendy shopping within the streets of Maryland Avenue, Forsyth Boulevard and Brentwood Boulevard.

Public education is provided by the School District of Clayton. The school district manages six schools and 2,529 students. The School District of Clayton has an impressive 95 percent graduation rate. Clayton, MO is also home to several institutions of higher learning, including Washington University, Fontbonne University and Concordia Seminary.

Clayton, MO offers numerous transportation options. The Lambert-St. Louis International Airport is only 12 minutes away and Metrolink offers commuter rail service. The city has access to two major thoroughfares, Interstate 170 and Interstate 64, and is only 10 minutes from downtown St. Louis. Nearby St. Louis attractions include the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, the Edward Jones Dome, the St. Louis Art Museum, the Muny Opera, St. Louis Science Center and the Saint Louis Zoo. The Clayton Police Department provides police services to Clayton, Missouri, fostering a safe and secure environment for the residents, businesses, and visitors to the City of Clayton. The Municipal Court of Clayton is located at the Council Chambers at Clayton City Hall, 10 North Bemiston, Clayton, Missouri, 63105.

 Clayton, being the county seat, also houses the St. Louis County Courts. The main Courts Building is located in the Clayton Government Center at 7900 Carondelet Clayton, MO, 63105. There are also two courtrooms and the St. Louis County Jail at the Buzz Westfall County Justice Center, at 100 S. Central Ave. Clayton, MO, 63105. Additional Family Court divisions are located in the Family Court Center at 501 South Brentwood Clayton, MO, 63105.

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