10 Wealthiest Neighborhoods in Missouri
A unique blend of mid-western values and southern hospitality, Missouri is a state that often stays out of the spotlight. However, there is plenty of unheard-of wealth in the “Show-Me” State. St. Louis County in particular is home to some very affluent and prominent neighborhoods. Many Missourians working in St. Louis prefer to live (if they can afford it) in the quiet, peaceful, and well-to-do suburban neighborhoods of the state’s second largest city. And why not? With the amenities and excitement of St. Louis just minutes away, living in one of these 10 wealthy neighborhoods certainly makes sense. Read on to see where St. Louis’s wealthy are shacking up. (Statistics on population and median household income are cited from the U.S. Census Bureau.)
1) Huntleigh
This 334-person neighborhood was once a 650-acre farm in the 1700s. Huntleigh has expanded only by 100 acres in the last few centuries, creating a 1 square mile exclusive community reserved for the most elite people in St. Louis County. In the 1920s, the beer brewing tycoon and president of Anheuser-Busch lived here and helped founded the community’s fox hunting club. Members of this family still live in Huntleigh today. With clout like this, it’s no surprise the median household income is one of the highest in the state at over $200,000. The community itself is strictly residential and has no commercial or industrial use. Huntleigh is just 15 miles away from the big city of St. Louis, allowing residents to enjoy their privacy without sacrificing the amenities of one of the state’s biggest metropolis. Residents here are typically employed in the health or business finance fields.
2) Country Life Acres
Just a few short miles west of Huntleigh is an even smaller neighborhood of roughly 100 people. Country Life Acres is classified as a village and takes up just 0.11 square mile of space. The majority of folks living here are married couples and nearly a quarter of the population have children living at home who are under 18. The median household income was just under $200,000 in the 2000 census. The majority of residents work in real estate or the sales and management sectors. Homes have sprawling grounds and spacious interiors, often costing well over 1 million dollars. Folks living here can afford it and then some – most households even have three cars. Lastly, residents feel safe and secure as it has one of the lowest crime rates of all the neighborhoods in St. Louis County.
3) Ladue
This Saint Louis suburb with its population of over 8,000 seems huge compared to the aforementioned neighborhoods. It even has its own school system and a small, yet quaint, downtown shopping district. Here, the Saint Louis Country Club and nearby Bogey Golf Club are two of the favorite local hang outs. Ladue has the highest median household income of any city in Missouri, with a population of over 1,000. This is certainly a wealthy neighborhood with the average household raking in $142,000 and the average family earning $180,000. Ladue appears to be a community that favors traditional values. Two cases that received national attention involved court cases over disputes involving the first amendment and familial status. Ladue has very little diversity, racially or economically, and over 80% of residents have a Bachelor’s Degree or higher. The economy is centered around real estate, finance, and insurance.
4) Westwood
Just minutes away from Country Life Acres and Huntleigh, Westwood is another St. Louis County neighborhood that wealthy Missourians favor. Westwood is a little over a half square mile and houses just under 300 residents, many of whom enjoy leisurely afternoons at the neighborhood’s country club. The median household income in 2010 was nearly $120,000, ensuring that folks here can afford the average $730,000-plus home. The homes in Westwood are both charming, modern. Home appreciation has risen more than 5%. This is a safe, familial neighborhood with the crime rates hovering at 60% less than the city of St. Louis. Almost one third of the households have children under 18. These families have excellent choices of public-school options, with nearby Laude and Parkway School Districts. Business management and healthcare are the most common fields of employment for Westwood residents.
