We love Clayton!
Clayton is the financial hub of St. Louis and a wonderful suburb to work, live and to raise a family. Whether you’re just starting out after college, moving to town or relocating from another part of St. Louis, we know Clayton inside and out and would love to help you learn the area, too.
To get started, we love to start with the history and fun facts! After St. Louis City separated from the county back in 1876, the county officials chose a site donated by Ralph Clayton and Martin Hanley for their “headquarter” location. Ralph Clayton had convinced the county guys that his land was closer to the city than that of Kirkwood to the southwest and Mount Olive further south. In donating his land he asked that the area around the courthouse bear his name, Clayton. Martin Hanley also offered his land to improve upon Mr. Clayton’s donation. The acreage they donated is now the central business district in Clayton. Clayton incorporated in 1913 and Martin Hanley’s farmhouse still stands on the edge of Clayton.
Clayton is just over 2 square miles, has a population of about 16,000 and is regularly named a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. A whopping 81% of the land is dedicated to residential living and park space.
Click Here for the various maps to find your way around Clayton.
Homes for Sale: Visit www.claytonmoforsale.com to see what’s for sale today!
Clayton is a mix of single family residence, condominiums, and high rise apartments. There are 38+ high rises in Clayton. And, there are two programs to help retired residents age in place: STL VIllage and Odd Couple Housing are two unique opportunities that can be a creative way for senior adults to stay in their homes longer and age in place.
Around Clayton, you’ll find several different neighborhoods, each with a loyal and active resident base. Check some of them out here:
- Claverach Park
- Clayshire
- Clayton Condominium Building Association (CCBA)
- Davis Place
- Hillcrest
- Moorlands
- Old Town Clayton Subdivision
- Wydown Forest
Clayton’s residences are considered to be unique and beautiful. Clayton’s active Architectural Review Board helps to keep them that way. Residents know to reach out to the City’s Planning Department before getting started to find out about permits, codes etc. It’s also helpful to know that The City of Clayton has a Sewer Lateral Program for eligible homes. In addition, as part of the county, Clayton residents can participate in the county’s Residential Water Service Line Repair Program for eligible homes.
Clayton has award winning public schools which include 6 schools in total, 3 elementary schools (Captain, Meramec, and Glenridge), 1 middle school (Wydown), 1 High School (Clayton) and a renowned early childhood (Family Center) https://www.claytonschools.net/
Secondary private education institutes include Washington University, Fontbonne, and Concordia Seminary also make up the Clayton community.
Clayton is also home to 11 parks within its 2 square miles! You can find greenspace at Clayshire, Concordia, DeMun, Hanley, Henry Wright, Oak Knoll, Shaw Park, Taylor, Whitburn Park, and Wydown. The Clayton Dog Park (Anderson Park) is closed for Project Clear construction and is anticipated to be completed in February 2021.
Other area attractions:
Shaw Park Aquatic Center: The outdoor aquatic center is great for those who live/work in Clayton. The Aquatic Center is great in the summer months and houses 3 pools: a 50-meter competition pool, a dive tank with a 1 & 3 meter spring boards, and a 5 meter platform. There is a zero-depth children’s pool.
Shaw Park Ice Rink is closed for the 2019-2020 season for renovations. The original ice rink was built in 1961 and long surpassed its life expectancy. An All Season Recreation Complex will be built to offer outdoor ice skating in the winter and a field/event space the other season
Shaw Park Tennis Center has 10 hard courts and 9 with lights.
The popular St. Louis Art Fair is hosted annually in Clayton each September, the weekend after Labor Day.
Clayton Public Art is displayed around the city. There is even an app to get a walking tour!
Business District
You can find the robust list of Clayton’s business directory here. The Business District is 7,000,000 sq ft of office space and 1,000,000 sq ft of retail space; Clayton maintains one of the highest commercial occupancy rates in the region.
Public Works: You can Click Here for public works projects.
- First Responders:
- Clayton has 50 police officers and in it’s 81 years…only 5 police chiefs!
- There is one firehouse in the center of the city
Parking and Transportation:
- Where can I park? Lots of parking options in Clayton: parking garages, meters, and Passport Parking.
- There are 2 Metrolink stations: one on Forsyth and Forest Park Parkway. The Metrolink Schedule page will give you the latest in arrivals/departures.
Hotels in Clayton
There are 5 great hotels located in Clayton for friends and family to stay: Seven Gables, Sheraton, Clayton Plaza, Hampton Inn & Suites and Ritz Carlton.
Events: There is always something to do in Clayton. Find current event listings here.
We hope you’ll enjoy getting to know Clayton! Be sure to contact us today at 314.780.9070 for a personal tour.