Last Updated on: 8th April 2024, 07:54 pm
You’ll love living in Bridgeton! The Osage Nation lived in the Bridgeton area for thousands of years, establishing trails through the community. French settlers first entered Bridgeton in 1724, but the Spanish gained control of the area in 1768. Bridgeton was platted in 1794 and named Marais des Liards (Cottonwood Swamp).
Bridgeton was sold to America as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1804. The community began to urbanize during the 1840s, becoming a ferry stop. It was incorporated as a city in 1843 and renamed to Bridgeton. The population grew steadily over time, but the community is now a predominantly residential community. Bridgeton is best known for its parks and historic houses, like the Payne-Gentry House.
Bridgeton is a nice place to live, especially if you want to start a family or pursue an active lifestyle. But before you start moving to Bridgeton Missouri, you should get more information about what this quaint and friendly city is like. Here is your guide to living in Bridgeton Missouri.
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Where Is Bridgeton Missouri?
What county is Bridgeton MO in? Bridgeton is in St. Louis County, inside the St. Louis metro area and the Greater St. Louis area. It is a suburb of St. Louis in the St. Louis outer belt; it is 18.6 miles from Bridgeton MO to St Louis MO. Bridgeton has a small coastline along the Missouri River, the top geographic feature in the city. Northern Bridgeton, which is the closest area to the river, contains industrial areas and parks. Southern Bridgeton is more developed with residential and commercial sections, as well as several runways at Lambert Airport.
Bridgeton borders Hazelwood, Earth City, Champ, Maryland Heights, and St. Ann. Bridgeton residents can use Metro Transit, with Routes 36 and 100 running through the community and providing direct access to Downtown St Louis. You can use this Metro Transit system map to see where routes go.
Bridgeton is one of the best cities near St. Louis for commuters. Interstates 70 and 270 run through the community and intersect in southwestern Bridgeton. State Routes 141 and 370 also run through the city and intersect in western Bridgeton, and State Route 180 runs through the south; these three routes provide access to a number of cities near St. Louis.
Bridgeton Population and Demographics
The population of Bridgeton is 11,450, down by 0.9% since 2010. Bridgeton’s population has declined since 1970 due to expansion at Lambert Airport removing homes; the population now is roughly half the population in 1970. The population density in Bridgeton Missouri is 786.3 people per square mile, less than half the density of St. Louis County. Bridgeton MO is popular amongst all demographics, with 20.8% of residents being 65 years of age and older and 23.6% being under the age of 18.
Notable people from Bridgeton include Josh Fleming and Janet Jones. Notable Bridgeton demographics include:
- 54.3% female, 45.7% male
- Median age: 41.2
- Racial and ethnic composition: 66.3% White (62.2% non-Hispanic), 21.4% Black or African American, 9.6% Hispanic or Latino, 4.3% two or more races, 3.0% Asian
- Median household income: $69,982 (6.2% higher than the state median)
- Educational attainment: 91.1% of residents older than 25 have graduated high school, 35.1% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population: 9.3%
Bridgeton is a hub for the Hispanic and Latino communities of St. Louis. 72% of foreign-born residents in Bridgeton were born in the Americas, with 425 residents being born in Mexico and 114 being born in Guatemala. Bridgeton MO contains or is within driving distance of several top Mexican grocery stores and community centers, including El Morelia Super Mercado.
Here are the latest crime statistics for Bridgeton from the FBI:
- Total crime rate: 7,673 offenses per 100,000 people (149.6% higher than the state, 227.1% higher than the country)
- Violent crime rate: 634 crimes per 100,000 people (16.8% higher than the state, 63.5% higher than the country)
- Property crime rate: 7,039 crimes per 100,000 residents (178.1% higher than Missouri, 259.5% higher than America)
While Bridgeton crime rates are high, you can find numerous safe places to live in the city. The St. Louis County crime map reveals that crimes rarely occur in eastern and northern Bridgeton MO. The Bridgeton Police Department employs 57 sworn police officers who regularly patrol Bridgeton streets.
Cost of Living in Bridgeton
Bridgeton is an affordable place to live, even if you’re buying a house or supporting a large family. Bridgeton is in the St. Louis area, so you can use St. Louis cost of living statistics to estimate the cost of living in Bridgeton MO. St. Louis has a cost of living index of 87.1, meaning items in the area cost 12.9% lower than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $99,068 a year ($8,256 a month) to cover the cost of living in the St. Louis metro area.
You can purchase affordable Bridgeton real estate. According to Redfin, the average cost of homes for sale in Bridgeton MO is $199,900, down by 20% since January 2023. The price per square foot is $124. According to RentCafe, the average cost of Bridgeton apartments is $1,237 a month, nearly $500 lower than the national average.
Typical Bridgeton* Living Expenses
- 1 gallon of regular milk: $3.42
- 1 pound of local cheese: $6.30
- 1 pound of tomatoes: $2.25
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.15
- Average Bridgeton* utilities per month: $185.86
- 1 pair of jeans: $52.00
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses for St. Louis
Bridgeton Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Bridgeton
Bridgeton does not have formal neighborhoods or subdivisions. Most homes for sale are located in southern Bridgeton, in between Interstates 67 and 270. Most homes for sale in Bridgeton MO are single-level ranch-style homes built in the mid-1900s, with two or three bedrooms and 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. Some properties have been recently renovated, but others are sold in as-is condition, so you may need to make modest renovations after you move in.
You only have a few options for apartments in Bridgeton MO or homes for rent in the city. You can choose a few small apartment complexes, including The Anchor Apartments, which offers one and two-bedroom Bridgeton apartments. Homes for rent are similar to homes for sale, being ranch-style homes with two or three bedrooms, making them suitable for small families. Prices vary, though some homes for rent cost just $1,200 a month.
Weather for Bridgeton MO
Bridgeton has a continental climate with hot and humid summers and freezing and snowy winters. Temperatures are high through the summer, peaking in July, with an average temperature of 80 degrees and an average high of 89. Temperatures fall during the autumn, with January being the coldest month, with an average temperature of 32 degrees and an average low of 26.
Bridgeton receives 34.3 inches of rain. Each month experiences at least 1.5 inches of rain, but May is the rainiest month with 4.0 inches. Bridgeton Missouri receives 10.2 inches of snow; January is the snowiest month, with 3.4 inches of snowfall. Each month has a mixture of clear and cloudy days, with August and September having 69% clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy days.
Bridgeton occasionally experiences tornadoes, including intense storms that cause power outages and extensive property damage. Tornadoes are rare, but you should follow the Bridgeton MO weather forecast during the summer and prepare a tornado shelter in your basement. You can also experience high humidity during the summer; 20.4 days in July and 17.9 days in August feel muggy, oppressive, or miserable.
The best time to visit Bridgeton and enjoy the weather for Bridgeton MO is September. You can choose clear skies and relatively mild temperatures, with an average temperature of 70 degrees. You can wear a short sleeved shirt with shorts while visiting various outdoor attractions in Bridgeton Missouri.
Things to Do in Bridgeton MO
You can find many fun and unique things to do in Bridgeton, including some great stores. El Morelia Super Mercado is the top grocery store in Bridgeton, offering thousands of items from various countries in North and South America. The Plaza at DePaul is an open-air shopping mall with an ALDI, a Kohl’s, and a Target. If you want to save money on clothes and other essentials, you can shop at MERS Goodwill Outlet.
Berry Hill Golf Course
Berry Hill Golf Course is an outdoor public 18-hole golf course with water obstacles and sand traps open during the spring, summer, and fall. Residents living in Bridgeton qualify for discounts and can sign up for camps, clinics, and tournaments throughout the year, including ones for teens and young children.
11919 Berry Hill Road, Bridgeton, MO, 63044, 314-731-7979
Bridgeton Recreation Center
Bridgeton Recreation Center contains a fitness center, a gymnasium, and an aquatic facility open to the public throughout the year. You can receive free fitness consultations and attend classes at the rec center, helping you keep in shape and perform outdoor activities.
4201 Fee Fee Road, Bridgeton, MO, 63044, 314-739-5599
Kingpin Lanes
Kingpin Bowling is one of the top bowling alleys in the St. Louis area, with games of bowling costing $5.00 or less. A dozen different leagues are located at Kingpin Bowling, including leagues for seniors and kids, making it a great attraction for people of all ages.
12249 Nature Bridge Road, Bridgeton, MO, 63044, 314-291-3215
Additional Things to Do in Bridgeton MO
The Bridgeton MO Parks and Recreation Department maintains over 250 acres of parks throughout Bridgeton and organizes parties, festivals, and other special events throughout the year. You can use the Bridgeton Parks and Recreation calendar to see when these exciting parties will occur.
Restaurants in Bridgeton MO
St. Louis is home to many popular dishes, including toasted ravioli, frozen custard, and slingers. You can find these and other treats at restaurants in Bridgeton MO, including some of the best Mexican food in the St. Louis area.
El Maguey
El Maguey is a casual and kid-friendly Mexican restaurant that offers fajitas, burritos, chimichangas, and other classic Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. It is one of the most affordable restaurants in Bridgeton, with combo platters combining burritos and tacos costing less than $12.
12460 Natural Bridge Road, Bridgeton, MO, 63044, 314-298-9244
La Tejana
La Tejana is an authentic Mexican taqueria serving tacos, gorditas, and sopes with chorizo, al pastor, carnitas, and other Mexican meats. You can also order breakfast dishes like eggs rancheros and chorizo with eggs, making it a cool place to visit on weekends or during mornings.
3149 North Lindbergh Boulevard, Bridgeton, MO, 63044, 314-291-8500
Lehmann’s Landing
Lehmann’s Landing is the best bar in Bridgeton, offering pizza and chicken wings along with premium beers in a casual setting. Lehmann’s is a popular setting for live music and sports parties, and you can play pool and darts however you want.
12314 Natural Bridge Road, Bridgeton, MO, 63044, 314-739-2344
Jobs in Bridgeton MO
5,544 people have jobs in Bridgeton MO. The job market in Bridgeton has stayed consistent over the last few years, even during the pandemic, thanks to the large number of businesses in and around Bridgeton. Health care, manufacturing, and retail trade are the three largest job sectors in the city, while finance and professional services are the highest-paying Bridgeton jobs. Food services jobs have a median salary of $221,279 a year.
According to Payscale, the average base salary of Bridgeton jobs is $67,000 a year and an average hourly rate of $18.06. Bridgeton’s largest employers include DePaul Hospital, Hussmann Refrigeration, and Schnucks. You can use Indeed to research jobs in Bridgeton MO, and you can apply for City of Bridgeton jobs on Bridgeton’s municipal website.
Bridgeton Schools
There is not one Bridgeton school district but two. Students living in southern Bridgeton are in the Pattonville School District. They attend Drummond Elementary or Parkwood Elementary before attending Holman Middle School. All three schools have small student-teacher ratios, with Holman Middle School having a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1, giving your child plenty of individualized support. Pattonville High School is the only high school in the district; US News ranks it in the top 50 high schools in Missouri. Pattonville High School has a graduation rate of 88%, one of the highest rates amongst St. Louis-area high schools.
Students living in northern Bridgeton are in the Hazelwood School District and attend Garrett Elementary School, West Middle School, and West High School. US News ranks West High School in the top 250 high schools in Missouri. West High School is well known for its athletics programs, and many top athletes got their start at the high school, including Devin Williams.
Saint Louis Community College (STLCC) has a campus in Bridgeton. STLCC grants associate’s degrees and credits you can use to obtain a bachelor’s degree at a four-year school in Missouri. There are a few small private schools in Bridgeton, including the Strawberry School, a preschool and childcare center for children up to 12 years old. The Bridgeton Trails Branch of the St Louis County Library is in Bridgeton and serves all residents in Bridgeton and Maryland Heights.
Bridgeton Statistics and Information
- County: St. Louis County
- Bridgeton area: 15.24 square miles
- Bridgeton zip code: 63044
- Bridgeton area code: 314
- Bridgeton elevation: 541 feet
- Bridgeton time zone: Central Standard Time (UTC-6)
- Closest airport to Bridgeton: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), inside Bridgeton
Map of Bridgeton MO
You can find the top things to do in Bridgeton, such as Bridgeton restaurants and homes for sale, using this map of Bridgeton, MO.
You don’t need to cross bridges to start living in Bridgeton! Bridgeton Missouri is a family-friendly and welcoming community with a stable and diverse economy, top parks and restaurants, and modern homes for sale.
But you need to spend a little more time figuring out moving to Bridgeton. Our team of Bridgeton movers has over 100 years of experience in the moving industry. Call 800-747-4100 for a free estimate.
