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Florissant, MO

Frequently asked questions

Florissant, MO

Florissant is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, within Greater St. Louis. It is a middle-class, second-ring northern suburb of St. Louis. Based on the 2020 United States census, the city had a total population of 52,533. It is the largest city in St. Louis County.

The exact date the first settlers went to the Valley of Florissant is unknown, but it is one of the oldest settlements in Missouri. Some historians believe it was settled at about the same time as St. Louis. The first civilian government was formed in 1786. Spanish archives in Havana reveal 40 people and seven plantations were in Florissant at the time of the 1787 census. The village, called "Fleurissant", meaning "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. The center of the parish, the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, survives and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Around 1809, the Cold Water Cemetery had its first burial; since 2004, it has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its social history. As late as 1889, the town was predominantly French-speaking (while the southern portion of the metropolis was populated by German speakers). The first train line to the area was constructed in 1878—an extension of the line that went from St. Louis City to Normandy. The last train to Florissant ran on November 14, 1931.

Following World War II, Florissant went from a small village community to a large suburban center, as developers such as Alfred H. Mayer Co. began building subdivisions on what was formerly farmland and empty acreage. Around 18,000 houses were built between 1947 and 1980, and the population swelled to its peak of about 76,000 in the mid-1970s, making it the largest city in St. Louis County.

In 2012, Florissant was ranked 76 in Money magazine's top-100 list of Best Places to Live – America's Best Small Cities. In 2014, Florissant was ranked as the #1 Best Small City to Retire in America and the second-safest city in Missouri.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.87 square miles (33.33 km2), of which 12.56 square miles (32.53 km2) are land and 0.31 square miles (0.80 km2) is covered by water.

Florissant places a strong emphasis on the health and wellness of its residents. Residents have access to quality healthcare services through institutions like Christian Hospital. St. Ferdinand Park and Koch Park, provide green spaces for outdoor exercise and community gatherings. For those interested in fitness, IBEX Climbing Gym provides a dynamic environment for climbing enthusiasts. Additionally, Aquarius Wellness Center For Healing Arts offers holistic wellness services such as massage therapy and acupuncture. For a serene outdoor experience, the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument provides opportunities for nature walks and fossil exploration. Fitness enthusiasts can explore Florissant Missouri Gym, which offers personal training and a variety of exercises.
 

Top sites in Florissant, MO include James J. Eagan Civic Center, Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, and Gateway Arch National Park.
 

Population: 51,506 (2022). Elevation: 528 ft (161 m). Area: 12.86 sq mi (33.31 km2). ZIP Codes: 63031, 63032, 63033, 63034. Area code(s): 314, 636.
 

FAQs

What is the racial makeup of Florissant, MO?

As of 2022, 3.93% of Florissant, MO residents were born outside of the country (2.05k people).In 2022, there were 1.21 times more White (non-Hispanic) residents (25.7k people) in Florissant, MO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 21.2k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 3.06k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

What is Florissant, MO known for?

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. The center of the parish, the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, survives and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Around 1809, the Cold Water Cemetery had its first burial; since 2004, it has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its social history.

Is Florissant, MO a good place to live?

Florissant is in St. Louis County. Living in Florissant offers residents a sparse suburban feel; most residents own their homes. In Florissant, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Florissant and residents tend to lean liberal.

Sources

City of Florissant

Wikipedia

Data USA

Niche

James J. Eagan Civic Center

Old St. Ferdinand Shrine

Gateway Arch National Park

Christian Hospital

St. Ferdinand Park 

Koch Park

IBEX Climbing Gym

Aquarius Wellness 

Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Florissant Missouri Gym

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