Last Updated on: 22nd August 2024, 12:25 am
Sunset Hills, Missouri, is a vibrant community where life flourishes for families and individuals alike. This charming city boasts a rich tapestry of residents who embrace a sense of belonging and camaraderie. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful suburban atmosphere or an array of recreational opportunities, living in Sunset Hills MO provides the perfect backdrop for creating lifelong memories. Join us as we explore what makes this community truly special and why it might just be the ideal place for you and your family.
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Where Is Sunset Hills, Missouri?
Sunset Hills is a small city located in the southern portion of St. Louis County, Missouri. Neighboring cities and communities include Concord, Fenton, Affton, Town and Country, Kirkwood, Des Peres, and Valley Park. Other nearby suburbs include Webster Groves (6 miles northeast), Creve Coeur (12 miles north), and Arnold (11 miles southeast).
Sunset Hills is part of the St. Louis metropolitan area. It’s 16 miles from the large city of St. Louis to Sunset Hills, MO. Interstate 270 and Interstate 44 run through the city and intersect at a major interchange in the northern part of town. I-270 is the main outer belt freeway for Greater St. Louis. I-44 terminates in Downtown Saint Louis near the Gateway Arch and becomes I-70. Other major thoroughfares in the city are US 50 and Route 30.
The Meramec River forms the western boundary of Sunset Hills. It empties into the Mississippi River just a few miles south at Oakville and Arnold, Missouri, on the Missouri-Arkansas state line.
Sunset Hills, Missouri Population & Demographics
The population of Sunset Hills is 9,198, according to the 2020 census, up from about 8,500 in 2010. There are about 3,400 households in the city and 2,400 families. Sunset Hills is a very affluent suburb. The median household income is $126,199, about 1.5x the metropolitan median of $75,316 and almost double the Missouri median.
The ethnic and racial composition is 90% white, 3% Asian, 2.5% Hispanic, 0.9% Black or African American, and 5.5% two or more races.
Additional Sunset Hills demographics:
- Median age: 50.4 years (metro: 39.6 years)
- Sex ratio: 51% female to 49% male
- Educational attainment: 61% bachelor’s degree or higher (metro: 37%)
- Foreign-born population: 2.3% (metro: 4.8%)
- Senior population (65+): 26% (metro: 17%)
- Veteran population: 5.5% (metro: 7.5%)
- Marital status: 60% married, 40% single
- Homeownership rate: 81% (metro: 70%)
Compared to the larger metro area, people living in Sunset Hills are more likely to be older, college educated homeowners.
Is Sunset Hills, MO Safe?
Sunset Hills is a very safe place to live. The Sunset Hills crime rate is 2% below the national average, with 67% less violent crime. In 2022, there were no homicides in the city and just 11 violent offenses reported to police.
After moving to Sunset Hills, Missouri, you will be served by the Sunset Hills Police Department. The department was established in 1973 with ten officers. Today, it has 26 sworn officers, seven civilian employees, and a dispatch center.
You can explore the community crime map to learn more about your risk of crime depending on where you live.
What’s the Cost of Living in Sunset Hills?
The cost of living in Sunset Hills is comparable to the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, although it’s on the more expensive side when it comes to housing costs.
As a renter, you’ll pay average rent of $1,165 per month, according to Rentcafe. That’s well below the national average but only slightly more affordable than the city of Saint Louis.
The median home price is $625,000 and $242 per square foot. By comparison, St. Louis has a median home price of just $262,000. Home prices are up 48% year-over-year. The Sunset Hills real estate market is extremely competitive, with hot homes selling for 9% above list price and going pending after just four days on the market. You can explore houses for sale in Sunset Hills MO to see what’s available within your budget.
Best Neighborhoods in Sunset Hills MO
Looking for the right neighborhood in Sunset Hills to call home? You’ll find mid-century architecture and many subdivisions offering everything from affordable housing for families to luxury estate homes and new construction. The Lindbergh area of the city offers historic Craftsman homes and affordable homes in established neighborhoods. If you’re looking for luxury new construction, desirable new developments include:
- Sunset Reserve, a luxury gated community on a 28-acre hilltop site with views of the Sunset Country Club. The golf course community boasts sprawling new homes with up to 3,800 square feet of space and high-end finishes. Prices start around $1.9 million.
- The Mill Hill subdivision, another exclusive community with some of the most beautiful estates in the city. The neighborhood is across from the Sunset Country Club and the 43-acre Busch conservation area.
- Gates Manor, a new luxury villa community with 21 free-standing homes close to downtown Kirkwood, Grants Farm, and Sunset Hills’ renowned golf courses.
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Sunset Hills Climate & Weather
Sunset Hills, Missouri, experiences a humid subtropical climate characterized by four distinct seasons. Summers are typically warm and occasionally hot, with average daily highs reaching the mid-80s to low 90s. The average July high temperature is 90°F.
Winters can be mild to cold, with very little snowfall. The annual snowfall is just 14″ on average, about half the national average. Temperatures often dip into the 20s, especially at night. The average January low temperature is 23°F with an average high of 40°F.
Spring and autumn provide a transitional period, showcasing mild temperatures ranging from the upper 50s to mid-70s.
Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with slightly higher amounts during the summer months. Overall, you’ll get just 44″ of annual rainfall, a bit above average for the U.S.
The best time to visit Sunset Hills is May or September to October for pleasant, mild weather without the hot, humid weather at the height of summer or the chilliest winter temperatures.
Things to Do in Sunset Hills MO
Nestled along the historic Route 66 and surrounded by some of the best parks and family-friendly attractions in South St. Louis County, there are plenty of things to do in Sunset Hills for adults and children alike. Here are some of the best things to do in Sunset Hill!
Watson Trail Park
Watson Trail Park is the largest city park and one of the most visited Sunset Hills parks. The amenity-packed outdoor space boasts brand-new playgrounds, tennis courts and a basketball court, a one-acre lake, picnic sites, a 9-hole disc golf course, and an aquatic facility with three pools.
The Sunset Hills Aquatic Facility is part of the community center located at the park. The aquatic center has daily rates and membership options with lap swimming, water aerobics, swim lessons, and a swim and dive team.
Watson Trail Park, 12450 W Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63127 (314) 842-7265
The Plaza & Shoppes
The premier shopping destination in town, The Plaza & Shoppes has several retail anchors like The Home Depot and Five Below as well as restaurants, service providers, smaller retailers, and recreation like Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park.
The Plaza & Shoppes, 10980 Sunset Hills Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63123
Laumeier Sculpture Park
This sprawling 105-acre outdoor sculpture park features large-scale contemporary art installations. It hosts regular community events and concerts with a large amphitheater.
Laumeier Sculpture Park, 12580 Rott Rd, Sappington, MO 63127 (314) 615-5278
Other attractions in Sunset Hills, MO:
- Sunset Hills Community Center
- Powder Valley Conservation Nature Center
- Tapawingo National Golf Club
- Sunset Country Club
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Top Restaurants in Sunset Hills
Sunset Hills has several commercial areas and shopping centers where you will find great places to eat. Here are just a few of the best Sunset Hills restaurants to check out after you get settled into your new home!
Twisted Tree Steakhouse
This casual steakhouse offers a family-friendly environment, great service, and superb steak and seafood dishes cooked to perfection.
Twisted Tree Steakhouse, 10701 Watson Rd, St. Louis, MO 63127 (314) 394-3366
Bandana’s Bar-B-Q Sunset Hills
This regional barbecue chain serves up award-winning Southern-style BBQ and side dishes in a fun, cowboy-themed restaurant.
Bandana’s Bar-B-Q Sunset Hills, 11750 Gravois Rd, St. Louis, MO 63127 (314) 849-1162
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Helen Fitzgerald’s Irish Grill & Pub
This Irish pub is always packed on the weekends, thanks to happy hour specials, a diverse menu of pub grub, and regular karaoke nights.
Helen Fitzgerald’s Irish Grill & Pub, 3650 S Lindbergh Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63127 (314) 984-0026
Jobs in Sunset Hills MO
The Saint Louis Region covers the city of St. Louis and four counties. The top industries in the region include health care and social assistance, retail, food services and accommodations, manufacturing, education, financial services, and management of companies and enterprises.
Major employers near Sunset Hills, MO include:
- Panera Bread – headquartered in Sunset Hills
- BJC Healthcare (careers) – hospitals, rehab, and long-term care facilities throughout the region
- Mercy Hospital South – a 767-bed hospital serving the South County
- Anheuser-Busch – headquartered in St. Louis with a flagship brewery
- Bayer (formerly Monsanto) – agri-chemical giant headquartered in nearby Creve Coeur and now merged with Bayer
- Express Scripts – headquartered in St. Louis County across multiple campuses
- Boeing – St. Louis and St. Charles facilities involved in defense work and manufacturing
- Nestle Purina – A staple of downtown STL for more than 125 years
Ready to explore career opportunities ahead of moving to Sunset Hills? You can start with a search of Jobs in Sunset Hills, MO on Indeed and explore City of Sunset Hills jobs.
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Sunset Hills Schools
One of the benefits of living in Sunset Hills for families? The community has good schools and is one of the most desirable school districts in the area. Students are served by Lindbergh Schools, a district that serves over 7,000 K-12 students in nine communities in the southwest St. Louis County area.
Public schools serving the city include:
- Lindbergh High School
- Truman Middle School (inside I-270 loop)
- Sperreng Middle School (outside I-270 loop)
- Concord Elementary (outside I-270 loop)
- Crestwood Elementary (between I-270 and Route 50, north of Route 366)
- Long Elementary (east of Route 50, south of Route 366)
- Kennerly Elementary (south of Route 30)
Lindbergh High School is a State and National School of Character, a Missouri Gold Star School, and a National Blue Ribbon School. It’s also a Missouri State High School Activities Association Leadership School. Most other schools in the district serving Sunset Hills have earned similar state and national honors.
While living in Sunset Hills, Missouri, you can also choose from many great private schools in the area. Highly rated nearby private schools include:
- Thomas Jefferson School – Coed boarding and day school for grades 7-12
- St. Catherine Laboure School – Catholic K-8 elementary school in Sappington
- Cornerstone Christian Academy – Interdenominational K-8 school in Sappington
- St. John Vianney High School – Catholic boys’ college preparatory school in Kirkwood
- Heritage Classical Christian Academy – Award-winning 6-12 school in Fenton
- Our Savior Lutheran Church – Lutheran PK-8 school in Fenton
- St. Simon the Apostle School – Catholic K-8 school in St. Louis
- Cor Jesu Academy – Girls’ high school in St. Louis
- Queen of the Holy Rosary Academy – Catholic PK-8 school
Want to pursue a degree? There are many options within minutes of the city including the St. Louis Community College – Meramec campus in Kirkwood and the St. Louis College of Health Careers in Fenton. The city’s Applied Tech South Campus offers a licensed practical nursing (LPN) program.
Sunset Hills is home to South Tech High School, a tuition-free career and technical education (CTE) facility that allows students to earn an industry certification and college credit before graduation.
Sunset Hills Statistics & Information
- County: St. Louis
- Area: 9.1 square miles
- Sunset Hills zip code: 63127
- Area code: 636
- Elevation: 541 feet
- Time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
- Closest airport: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), 22 miles away
Sunset Hills MO Map
Ready to enjoy everything that life in Sunset Hills has to offer? Federal Companies is here to help you with personalized moving services. Call our Sunset Hills movers at (800) 747-4100 to discuss your moving needs and get started with a free moving quote!
