Arnold, Missouri

Arnold, Missouri
—  City  —
Arnold Water Tower from I-55 North
Location of Arnold, Missouri
Coordinates: 38°25′58″N 90°22′10″W
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Jefferson
Government
• Mayor	Ron Counts
Area
• Total	11.6 sq mi (30.0 km2)
• Land	11.2 sq mi (29.1 km2)
• Water	0.3 sq mi (0.9 km2)
Elevation	605 ft (184 m)
Population (July 2010)
• Total	19,968
• Density	1,840/sq mi (708.2/km2)
Time zone	Central (CST) (UTC-6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	63010
Area code(s)	636
FIPS code	29-01972
GNIS feature ID	0713393

Arnold is the largest city in Jefferson County, Missouri, United States. The population was estimated to be 20,603 in 2008, slightly more than the 19,965 number reported in the 2000 census.

Geography

Arnold is located at 38°25′58″N 90°22′10″W (38.432753, -90.369393). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.6 square miles (30 km²), of which, 11.2 square miles (29 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.78 km²) of it (2.85%) is water.

History

The first European settler in Arnold was Jean Baptiste Gamache, who operated a ferry boat across the Meramec River in exchange for 1050 arpents of land granted by the King of Spain. This ferry was on the King's Trace or El Camino Real, (royal road), from St. Louis, Missouri, to Ste. Genevieve, Missouri.

Politics and Government

Eminent Domain

Arnold was a focal point over the eminent domain issue in Missouri. In January 2004, the City of Arnold announced that THF Realty had approached them regarding developing a section of Arnold known as the Triangle, an area bordered by Route 141, Interstate 55, and Church Road in the city limits. The city voted in favor of the Triangle Development project proceeding on September 16, 2005.

According to an agreement with THF, Arnold would acquire the properties in the triangle and would be reimbursed its costs by THF. Arnold offered the property owners a buy-out, and most accepted. Some businesses were promised relocation either in the new development or elsewhere in the city. Others were not given this option. Some refused the offer, and the city moved to condemn the dissenting properties. One such hold out was Homer R. Tourkakis, the owner of a dental practice on the corner of the triangle formed by Route 141 and Interstate 55.

Tourkakis claims that THF never made a fair-market offer. THF claims they offered to rebuild his practice elsewhere and purchase his property for $600,000. Tourkakis's property was declared blighted, and Arnold sought to seize it under eminent domain. Tourkakis fought these proceedings in the Jefferson County courts. Arnold and THF argued that although incorporated cities aren't explicitly granted the use of eminent domain does not imply they are denied it. The judge ruled that because Arnold is a third-class city, under Missouri law, it cannot use eminent domain to seize properties.

Red Light Cameras

In 2005, Arnold became the first city in Missouri to install red light cameras. A 2009 lawsuit against the cameras was dismissed on procedural grounds.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,965 people, 7,550 households, and 5,564 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,775.0 inhabitants per square mile (685.2/km²). There were 7,913 housing units at an average density of 703.5 per square mile (271.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.91% White, 0.30% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 7,550 households out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,188, and the median income for a family was $53,664. Males had a median income of $37,972 versus $27,222 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,378. About 3.0% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education

There are currently two high schools in Arnold, Missouri: Fox High School and Seckman Senior High School in the Fox C-6 School District. There are 4 middle schools, Fox Middle School, Seckman Middle School, Antonia Middle School ,and Rdigewood Midlle School. There are 11 Elementary schools, Antonia Elementary, Clyde Hamrick, Fox, George Guffey, Lone Dell, Meramec Heights,Raymond and Nancy Hodge, Rockport, Seckman, and Sherwood. There is one pre-school, Don Earl.

Economy

According to Money Magazine, Arnold was ranked the 12th best and most affordable city to live in the United States in 2008.

External links

• City of Arnold
• Arnold Chamber of Commerce
• Arnold Historical Society