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 as Les Petites Côtes (“The Little Hills”) in 1769 and settled by French-speaking Canadian colonists. During the Louis & Clark Expedition of 1804, it was considered the last “civilized” stop. Today, it’s a vibrant and multi-cultural city.
What makes living in St. Charles 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 water parks, public pools, and sports facilities. Millennials love Saint Charles for its fun riverfront and historic downtown, affordable rent, and great employment opportunities.
Is moving to Saint Charles a good idea for your family? Find out everything you want to know!
St. Charles, MO Population & Demographics
The population of St. Charles, Missouri is 71,000 within 24.8 square miles with a population density of 2,861 people per square mile. Located in St. Charles County about 20 miles northwest of St. Louis, Saint Charles in zip codes 63301-63304 and area codes 636 and 314.
The median age is 38.9, average for Missouri, 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.
Cost of Living in St. Charles | 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 95 which means it’s 5% more affordable than the national average. 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 $72,100, higher than the median of $66,400 for the St. Louis metro area.
The median home price in St. Charles is $275,000 or $143 per square foot. That’s right around the U.S. average. The Saint Charles, MO real estate market is very competitive with homes spending a median 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? The average rent is just $1,114 according to RentCafe. That’s far below the U.S. average.
Curious what you can get for your rent money? 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.
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Best Neighborhoods in St. Charles, MO
Ready to explore the best places to live in St. Charles? Whether you’re looking for a great family-friendly neighborhood, new construction, or a quiet residential area, here are some of the top picks to consider.
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!
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!
What’s the Weather in St. Charles Like? | St. Charles, MO Climate
After moving to St. Charles, you can look forward to cool winters and long, hot, and muggy summers. The St. Charles climate is humid continental with all four seasons. St. Charles weather tends to be mild without too much snow but more than average rainfall.
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.
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Top Things to Do in St. Charles, MO
St. Charles is famous for its riverfront and downtown, both packed with attractions, activities, shopping, and regular community events. You’ll love shopping and strolling down 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.
Ready to learn about the top things to do in the city? Here are the best St. Charles outdoor activities, parks, and landmarks.
Wapelhorst Park
This huge park is one of the best things to do in St. Charles with kids! You’ll find a softball complex, fishing lake, nature trails, and a large playground. The crown jewel is the Wapelhorst Aquatic Facility with affordable daily rates and passes. The aquatic facility features slides, a lazy river, swimming pools, aquatic play areas, and a kiddie pool.
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Wapelhorst Park, 1875 Muegge Rd, St Charles, MO 63303 (636) 949-3372
Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles
The Ameristar Casino is one of the top attractions in St. Charles. Located on the Missouri River, this 130,000-square-foot gaming center has 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
Additional St. Charles attractions include:
- Boschertown Go Karts
- Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum
- Blanchette Park
- Foundry Art Centre
- The Family Arena
- Great Skate Roller Skating Rink
- Climb So iLL at the Steel Shop
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Best St. Charles Restaurants
Ready to see the amazing cuisine awaiting you after moving to 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
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Jobs in St. Charles, MO
The average salary in St. Charles, MO is $64,000, according to Payscale, with an average hourly rate of $17.27. 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.
St Charles, MO Statistics & Information
- Population: 66,000
- County: St. Charles County
- Total area: 25.32 square miles
- Zip code: 63301-63304
- Area codes: 636 and 314
- Time zone: UTC-6, Central Standard Time (CST)
- Elevation: 903 feet
St. Charles, MO Map
Explore additional things to do and great places to eat with this map of St. Charles, Missouri.
Living in St. Charles Pros & Cons
- Pro: Low cost of living
- Pro: Tons of family-friendly attractions
- Con: Public schools aren’t the best in the metro area
Is moving to St. Charles in your future? Once you’ve settled on a neighborhood, call the 5-star Saint Charles movers at Federal Companies for a free moving quote!
