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St. Charles, MO

Frequently asked questions

St. Charles, MO

Saint Charles is a city in, and the county seat of, St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The population was 70,493 at the 2020 census, making St. Charles the 9th most populous city in Missouri. Situated on the Missouri River, St. Charles is a northwestern suburb of St. Louis.

The city was founded circa 1769 as Les Petites Côtes, or "The Little Hills" in French, by Louis Blanchette, a French-Canadian fur trader. This former French area west of the Mississippi River was nominally ruled by Spain following France's defeat in the Seven Years' War. France had ceded its eastern territories to Great Britain. St. Charles is the third-oldest city in Missouri. For a time, it played a significant role as a river port in the United States' westward expansion, including trade with Native American tribes on the upper Missouri River. It was the starting point of the Boone's Lick Road to the Boonslick.

St. Charles was settled primarily by French-speaking colonists from Canada in its early days. In 1804 the Lewis and Clark Expedition considered this settlement the last "civilized" stop before they headed upriver to explore the western territory that the United States acquired from France in the Louisiana Purchase. The city served as the first Missouri capital from 1821 to 1826. It is the site of the Saint Rose Philippine Duchesne shrine.

Native American peoples inhabited the area at least as early as 11,000 B.C. When European colonists arrived, the area was inhabited by the historic Ilini, Osage, and Missouri tribes.

According to Hopewell's Legends of the Missouri and Mississippi, Blanchette met another French Canadian (Bernard Guillet) at this site in 1765. Blanchette, determined to settle there, asked if Guillet, who had become an honorary chief of a Dakota band, had chosen a name for it.

When Missouri was granted statehood in 1821, the legislature decided to build a "City of Jefferson" to serve as the state capital, in the center of the state, overlooking the Missouri River. Since this land was undeveloped at the time, a temporary capital was needed. St. Charles was chosen over eight other cities in a competition to house the temporary capital. It offered free meeting space for the legislature in rooms located above a hardware store. This building is preserved as the First Missouri State Capitol State Historic Site and may be toured. The Missouri government continued to meet there until buildings were completed in Jefferson City in 1826.

St. Charles is located about 20 miles northwest of St. Louis. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 24.03 square miles (62.24 km2), of which 23.65 square miles (61.25 km2) is land and 0.38 square miles (0.98 km2) is water.

The city places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. St. Charles is home to SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - St. Charles and Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, ensuring access to top-notch healthcare services. Club Fitness provides extensive gym facilities and fitness classes for all levels. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the Katy Trail State Park offers beautiful trails for walking, running, and biking. YogaSix and Jane’s House Studio specializes in yoga and meditation sessions, perfect for mental wellness. Pottawatomie Community Center hosts a variety of wellness programs including fitness classes and recreational sports. The St. Charles County Family YMCA provides a comprehensive range of fitness and aquatic activities.

Top sites in St. Charles, MO are Lewis & Clark Boat House and Nature Center, Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles, and The Family Arena.

Population: 72,458 (2024). ZIP codes: 63301-63304. Area codes: 636, 314. Elevation: 600 feet (183 meters). Area: 25.67 sq mi (66.48 km2).

FAQs

Is St. Charles, MO considered St. Louis?

Saint Charles (commonly abbreviated St. Charles) is a city in, and the county seat of, St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The population was 70,493 at the 2020 census, making St. Charles the 9th most populous city in Missouri. Situated on the Missouri River, St. Charles is a northwestern suburb of St. Louis. The city was founded circa 1769 as Les Petites Côtes, or "The Little Hills" in French, by Louis Blanchette, a French-Canadian fur trader.
 

What is St. Charles, MO famous for?

Today, over 65,000 people call St. Charles their home. The City of St. Charles is headquarters for Aspect, Our365, RX System, NewCo Enterprises, Patriot Machine, and Client Services and is home to the regional offices of Coca Cola Enterprises, Sysco, and American Freightways. St. Charles is the oldest city on the Missouri River. St. Charles' sister city is Ludwigsburg, Germany.

Is St. Charles, MO a good place to live?

St. Charles is in St. Charles County and is one of the best places to live in Missouri. Living in St. Charles offers residents a dense suburban feel; most residents own their homes. In St. Charles, there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals live in St. Charles and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in St. Charles are highly rated.

Sources

City of St. Charles

Wikipedia

Niche

Lewis & Clark Boat House and Nature Center

Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles

The Family Arena

SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital - St. Charles

Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital

Club Fitness

Katy Trail State Park

YogaSix

Jane’s House Studio

Pottawatomie Community Center

St. Charles County Family YMCA

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.