Arnold, Missouri facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Arnold, Missouri
City
Arnold Water Tower from I-55 North (color is sky blue since Nov 2015)
Location within Jefferson County and Missouri
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Jefferson
Area
• Total	11.53 sq mi (29.86 km2)
• Land	11.53 sq mi (29.85 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	522 ft (159 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	20,858
• Density	1,809.80/sq mi (698.79/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	63010
Area code(s)	636
FIPS code	29-01972
GNIS ID	2393991

Arnold is a city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States, and a suburb of St. Louis. The population was 20,858 at the 2020 United States census.

History

The first European settler in Arnold was Jean Baptiste Gamache, who operated a ferry boat across the Meramec River in exchange for 1050 arpents of land granted by the King of Spain. This ferry was on the King's Trace or El Camino Real, from St. Louis, Missouri, to Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

Eminent domain

Arnold was a focal point over the eminent domain issue in Missouri. In January 2004, the City of Arnold announced that THF Realty had approached them regarding developing a section of Arnold known as the Triangle, an area bordered by Route 141, Interstate 55, and Church Road in the city limits. The city voted in favor of the Triangle Development project proceeding on September 16, 2005.

According to an agreement with THF, Arnold would acquire the properties in the triangle and would be reimbursed its costs by THF. Arnold offered the property owners a buy-out, and most accepted. Some businesses were promised relocation either in the new development or elsewhere in the city. Others were not given this option. Some refused the offer, and the city moved to condemn the dissenting properties. One such hold out was Homer R. Tourkakis, the owner of a dental practice on the corner of the triangle formed by Route 141 and Interstate 55.

Tourkakis claims that THF never made a fair-market offer. THF claims they offered to rebuild his practice elsewhere and purchase his property for $600,000. Tourkakis's property was declared blighted, and Arnold sought to seize it under eminent domain. Tourkakis fought these proceedings in the Jefferson County courts. Arnold and THF argued that although incorporated cities aren't explicitly granted the use of eminent domain does not imply they are denied it. The judge ruled that because Arnold is a third-class city, under Missouri law, it cannot use eminent domain to seize properties. In appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court, the decision was reversed, ruling that through the TIF act and the City of Arnold being an incorporated municipality, had the right to use eminent domain.

Red light cameras

In 2005, Arnold became the first city in Missouri to install red light cameras. A 2009 lawsuit against the cameras was dismissed on procedural grounds.

Geography

Arnold is located at 38°25′58″N 90°22′10″W / 38.43278°N 90.36944°W / 38.43278; -90.36944 (38.432753, -90.369393). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.94 square miles (30.92 km²), of which, 11.58 square miles (29.99 km²) is land and 0.36 square miles (0.93 km²) is water.

Demographics

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 20,858 people, 8,518 households, and 5,607 families in Arnold. The population density was 1,809.0 per square mile (698.8/km²). There were 8,961 housing units at an average density of 777.2 per square mile (300.2/km²). The racial makeup was 89.55% (18,678) white, 0.94% (196) black or African-American, 0.21% (43) Native American, 1.11% (232) Asian, 0.06% (13) Pacific Islander, 0.81% (169) from other races, and 7.32% (1,527) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race wash 1.7% (363) of the population. The foreign born population also saw an increase in Arnold, particularly in its Bosnian community.

Of the 8,518 households, 31.6% had children under the age of 18; 49.8% were married couples living together; 27.0% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 25.7% consisted of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.0.

23.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 93.2 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $64,678 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,401) and the median family income $76,738 (+/- $8,404). Males had a median income of $47,707 (+/- $5,963) versus $32,198 (+/- $4,524) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $38,896 (+/- $2,588). Approximately, 6.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under the age of 18 and 6.5% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 20,808 people, 8,090 households, and 5,695 families living in the city. The population density was 1,796.9 inhabitants per square mile (693.8/km²). There were 8,547 housing units at an average density of 738.1 per square mile (285.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 8,090 households, of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.6% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 39.2 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

Economy

In 2014, Anheuser-Busch InBev's subsidiary Metal Container Corp, made the decision to expand their aluminum can and bottle manufacturing plant in Arnold, making the city home to the largest can manufacturing facility in the country.

Arnold is home to one of two offices of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency in the St Louis area employing at least 900 workers.

According to Money Magazine, Arnold was ranked the 12th best and most affordable city to live in the United States in 2008.

Parks and recreation

Arnold City Park is located off Jeffco Blvd. at #1 Bradley Beach Road. The 68-acre park has an 8-acre fishing lake and 4 pavilions, each with electricity and a BBQ pit. The park also offers a playground, paved 1/2-mile walking/hiking trail, 2 dirt multipurpose fields, 2 horseshoe pits, volleyball poles, Paw (dog) park, and fishing.

Ferd B. Lang Park is a 25-acre multi-use park located at 1820 Old Lemay Ferry Road. The park has 5 pavilions with electrical outlets and BBQ pits at each site. Other amenities include a playground, hiking trails, 2 grass multipurpose fields, 5 horseshoe pits, 3 sand volleyball courts, Arnold Jaycees Skate Park, half basketball court, Paw Park for Dogs, and restrooms (closed Nov 5, 2018 – Apr 8, 2019)

The City of Arnold offers a full service recreation center including workout center, walking track and swimming pool for a monthly fee. First Baptist Church of Arnold offers a free NCAA caliber gymnasium, weight rooms, cardio center, arts & craft center, indoor walking track. An orientation is required prior to use.

Education

The Fox C-6 School District operates public schools. Three elementary schools are in the city limits: Fox Elementary School, Rockport Heights Elementary School, and Sherwood Elementary School. Fox Middle School and Fox High School are in Arnold.

The Fox district was originally a K-8 school district, with high school students having a choice of Crystal City High School and Herculaneum High School. The district became K-12 when Fox High School was established in 1955.

Arnold has a public library, a branch of the Jefferson County Library.

The Jefferson College (Missouri) Arnold campus was opened in 2007 to expand educational services to those in northern Jefferson County. The 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) facility is located at 1687 Missouri State Road behind the Arnold Library and Recreation Center.

Notable people

• Louisa Frederici born in Arnold and married Buffalo Bill Cody
• Frank J. Grass, General and Chief of National Guard Bureau
• Dana Loesch, spokesperson for the National Rifle Association of America
• Kenny Wallace, former NASCAR driver
• Rusty Wallace, former NASCAR champion
• Mike Wells, former NFL defensive tackle, 1994-2001

Locations

• Wickes, a former stop on the Missouri Pacific Railroad

See also

In Spanish: Arnold (Misuri) para niños