Last Updated on: 17th October 2024, 10:03 am
Are you thinking of moving to St. Charles, Missouri? St. Charles has been ranked as one of America’s Best Places to Retire and one of the Best Places to Live. St. Charles is known for its historic Main Street with brick-lined streets, boutiques, and eateries.
Saint Charles was founded under the name Les Petites Côtes (“The Little Hills”) in 1769 by Louis Blanchette, a French Canadian fur trader, and settled by French-speaking Canadian colonists. During the Louis & Clark Expedition of 1804, it was considered the last “civilized” stop. Today, historic St. Charles is a vibrant and multicultural city with several parks, a historic main street, a bustling city hall, and a strong sense of community within the town.
What makes living in St. Charles MO so exciting? The city is packed with activities, beautiful neighborhoods, new luxury apartments, and an affordable cost of living. It’s popular with families who want to be near fun amenities like outdoor activities, public pools, sports facilities, and attractions like Lewis Clark Boat House. Millennials love Saint Charles for its fun riverfront and historic downtown, affordable rent, and great employment opportunities. It’s also close to St. Louis, allowing residents to enjoy big-city amenities.
Is St. Charles MO a good place to live? Find out everything you want to know about your new town!
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Is St. Charles MO a Good Place to Live?
St. Charles MO is a good place to live. The city is full of friendly residents, fun things to do, incredible real estate, and more.
Where Is St. Charles Missouri?
St. Charles is in Charles County, Missouri. It is the county seat of Charles County and is situated along the Missouri River. It is considered to be a suburb of the St. Louis area, offering residents and visitors easy access to wonderful big-city amenities. However, you can still enjoy rural activities like the Katy Trail and Jaycee Park. This Charles County city is about 20 miles northwest of St. Louis, Saint Charles in zip codes 63301-63304 and area codes 636 and 314.
Looking for public transportation options in the area? Unfortunately, the St. Charles area does not have wonderful public transportation options. If you require public transportation, you can visit the MO Rides website for a ride.
However, as a suburb of St. Louis, you can get around quickly and easily via car. The main street that runs through St. Charles is Interstate 64.
Our St. Charles movers are happy to give you tips on how to navigate the city! Our St. Charles moving company knows all of the insider tips and tricks.
St. Charles, MO Population & Demographics
The population of St. Charles, Missouri is 70,493 within 24.8 square miles, with a population density of 2,861 people per square mile.
The median age of those living in St. Charles MO is 38.9, with 51 females for every 49 males. The racial and ethnic composition is 81% white, 7% Black or African American, 5% Hispanic, and 3% Asian.
Famous people from St. Charles include musician Chuck Berry, pro wrestler Randy Orton, Catholic saint Rose Philippine Duchesne, and Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the founder of Chicago.
Additional St. Charles Demographics:
- Educational attainment: 94.7% high school degree (or higher), 44.0% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
- Foreign born population: 5.5%
Is St. Charles MO safe? The St. Charles crime rate is 30.7% lower than the state average and 15.7% lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is 56.6% lower than the state average and 42.7% lower than the national average. Additionally, the property crime rate is 90.1% lower than the state average and 84.2% lower than the national average. As such, St. Charles MO is safe.
Cost of Living in St. Charles MO | How Much Does it Cost to Live in St. Charles, MO?
Is St. Charles, MO affordable? Absolutely! The St. Charles, MO cost of living index is 97.5 which means it’s 2.5% more affordable than the national average. This is slightly higher than the St. Louis Cost of Living Index of 87.1. When living in St. Charles MO, you’ll find that groceries are slightly higher than average, but transportation, health care, and goods are about 10% below the U.S. average!
To understand how much living in Saint Charles costs, it also helps to know the city’s median income. The median household income in St. Charles is $83,589, higher than the median of $52,941 for the St. Louis metro area.
The median home price in St. Charles is $337,950 or $178 per square foot. That’s above the U.S. average of $433,000. The Saint Charles, MO real estate market is very competitive, with homes spending a median of 6 days on market. Check out St. Charles, MO homes for sale to see just how far your budget can take you.
Planning to rent while living in St. Charles MO? The average rent is just $1,376, according to RentCafe. That’s far below the U.S. average.
Curious about what you can get for your rent money when living in St. Charles MO? One of the newest and most exciting places to live in Saint Charles is the Residences at The Streets of St. Charles. Studio apartments start at $1,100 with amenities that include an infinity pool and hot tub, sundeck, grilling pavilion, game room, dog wash parlor, tanning bed, and 24-hour fitness center.
Neighborhoods in St. Charles Missouri | Where to Live in St. Charles MO
Ready to explore the best places to live in St. Charles? Luckily, the Little Hills area is full of great options. Whether you’re looking for a great family-friendly neighborhood on the north side, a townhome in the historic downtown area, new construction in a pedestrian-friendly community, or a quiet residential area, here are some of the top picks to consider for families and young professionals alike living in St. Charles MO.
All neighborhoods are served by the St. Charles Parks & Recreation Department, which maintains community parks, sports complexes, public pools, and other great amenities. Visit their site to see parks by neighborhood to help you make your choice for living in St. Charles MO!
St. Charles Hills – One of the Best Subdivisions in St. Charles for Families
St. Charles Hills is an older subdivision founded in 1964. It’s one of the largest and most popular neighborhoods in Saint Charles, with 18 miles of residential streets. There are more than 1,100 homes and over 6,500 people living in this community, which is close to schools and several parks.
Charlestowne Landing – Affordable St. Charles Neighborhood for New Construction
Charlestowne Landing is a new home development with cottage homes starting in the $220s in The Commons and larger homes at The Manors. This picturesque multi-builder development features several neighborhood lakes, playgrounds, and common areas – perfect for families. It’s right off Highway 370 and only 15 minutes from the St. Louis airport.
Diekamp Homestead – Quiet Neighborhood in St. Charles Near Schools & Parks
Diekamp Homestead is a quiet, family-friendly development at the edge of St. Charles close to St. Peters. This charming neighborhood is sandwiched between two great parks: Laurel Park in St. Peters, with a public pool and playgrounds, and Wapelhorst Park, with an aquatic center, tennis courts, swimming pools, and a fishing pond. It’s a great place to live for active families with young kids!
St. Charles MO Weather & Climate
After moving to St. Charles, you can look forward to cool winters and long, hot, and muggy summers. The St. Charles climate is similar to the St. Louis climate and is humid continental with all four seasons. St. Charles weather tends to be mild without too much snow but more than average rainfall. Therefore, living in St. Charles MO is great for those who enjoy the chilly season without too much snow.
Winters are chilly, with an average January low of 21 and about 14” of snow per year. About 100 days per year, the nighttime low falls below freezing. The average high temperature in July is 88 degrees. There are about 33 days per year with temperatures over 90 degrees.
The best time to visit St. Charles is April and May or September and October to avoid the most intense summer heat and chilly winter temperatures. During this time, you can take advantage of the hiking trails around Katy Trail and the Missouri River. The chilly winter months are great for exploring cultural attractions like the Lewis and Clark Museum and utilizing public transportation.
Things to Do in St. Charles, MO
What can you do when living in St. Charles MO? St. Charles is famous for its riverfront, historic district, and downtown, both packed with attractions, activities, shopping centers, outdoor activities, and regular community events. You’ll love exploring the shops and strolling down historic Main Street in the Historic District, which runs parallel to the Missouri River.
The Streets of St. Charles is an exciting new mixed-use venue with apartments, dining, shopping, and entertainment. There’s also convenient shopping at Mark Twain Village and Bogey Hills Plaza. You’ll also find plenty of events throughout the year near St. Charles.
Ready to learn about the top things to do in the city? Here are the best attractions St. Charles offers.
Wapelhorst Park
This huge park is one of the best things to do in St. Charles with kids! You’ll find a softball complex, a fishing lake, nature trails, and a large playground. The crown jewel is the Wapelhorst Aquatic Facility, which has affordable daily rates and passes. The aquatic facility features slides, a lazy river, swimming pools, aquatic play areas, and a kiddie pool.
Wapelhorst Park, 1875 Muegge Rd, St Charles, MO 63303 (636) 949-3372
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles
When living in St. Charles MO, don’t skip out on The Ameristar Casino. The Ameristar Casino is one of the top attractions in St. Charles. Located on the Missouri River, this 130,000-square-foot gaming center offers residents 12 bars, a luxury day spa, seven restaurants, and a AAA Four Diamond hotel with over 2,000 games!
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles, 1 Ameristar Blvd, St Charles, MO 63301 (636) 949-7777
Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum
The Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum houses full-scale replicas of boats used by Louis and Clark during their 1804 expedition.
1050 S Riverside Dr, St Charles, MO 63301, (636) 947-3199
Additional St. Charles Attractions
Additional St. Charles attractions for residents to enjoy in the town include:
- Boschertown Go Karts
- Blanchette Park
- Foundry Art Centre
- The Family Arena
- Great Skate Roller Skating Rink
- Climb So iLL at the Steel Shop
Best St. Charles Restaurants
St. Charles takes food to another level! Ready to see the amazing cuisine awaiting you when living in St. Charles MO? Here are just a few of the top-rated restaurants you’ll fall in love with.
Prasino St. Charles
This fine dining establishment is perfect for date night in St. Charles or celebrating a special occasion. The award-winning menu focuses on organic, local ingredients with artisan cocktails made with small-batch spirits.
Prasino St. Charles, 1520 S 5th St #110, St Charles, MO 63303 (636) 277-0202
Gingham’s Homestyle Restaurant
This local favorite 24-hour diner serves up comfort food, breakfast, and a variety of housemade desserts.
Gingham’s Homestyle Restaurant, 1566 Country Club Plaza Dr, St Charles, MO 63303 (636) 946-0266
Tucanos Brazilian Grill
A perfect spot to meet up with friends, this Brazilian churrasco steakhouse offers an all-you-can-eat menu served rodizio style.
Tucanos Brazilian Grill, 1520 S 5th St #100, St Charles, MO 63303 (636) 724-4499
Jobs in St. Charles, MO
The average salary in St. Charles, MO is $75,000, according to Payscale, with an average hourly rate of $20.95. You’ll find many employment opportunities in hospitality, retail, health care, education, and transportation. Major employers in St. Charles include:
- Ameristar Casino Resort
- St. Charles County
- City of St. Charles
- Boeing
- SSM St. Joseph Health Center
- City of St. Charles School District
- Lindenwood University
- AT&T Missouri
Many people living in St. Charles MO work in St. Louis. The city has eight Fortune 500 companies with a diverse economy centered on healthcare, medical research, tech, professional services, retail, finance, advanced manufacturing, and commercial shipping. Here’s what the 23-mile commute from St. Charles to St. Louis looks like.
St. Charles, MO Schools
After moving to St. Charles, you’ll be served by the City of St. Charles School District. The district has two high schools, two middle schools, and six elementary schools.
There are also several private schools to choose from, including Duchesne High School and the Academy of the Sacred Heart.
Considering higher education? Lindenwood University is the second-oldest college west of the Mississippi. The city is also home to the St. Charles Community College.
Students and residents enjoy free access to the St. Charles City-County Library, one of the state’s largest public library systems with several branches.
public schools
St Charles, MO Statistics & Information
- Population: 70,493
- County: St. Charles County
- Total area: 25.32 square miles
- Zip code: 63301-63304
- Area codes: 636 and 314
- Time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
- Elevation: 903 feet
St. Charles, MO Map
Explore additional things to do and great places to eat with this map of St. Charles, Missouri for both residents and visitors.
Is St. Charles MO a good place to live? Living in St. Charles MO has never been better. Once you’ve settled on a neighborhood, call the 5-star Saint Charles movers at Federal Companies! Before heading to your new town, call (800) 747-4100 for a free moving quote.