O'Fallon, Missouri
Encyclopedia
O'Fallon is a suburban city along Interstate 70
between Lake St. Louis
and St. Peters
in Saint Charles County, Missouri
. It is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area
. As of the 2010 census population of 79,329, it is the seventh largest city in the state and the largest in St. Charles County. In 2006 Money Magazine named O'Fallon as one of its "Best 100 Places to Live." (39 out of 100) Money Magazine also ranked O'Fallon 68 out of 100 in 2008 and 26 out of 100 in 2010
As noted above, O'Fallon, along with its namesake in St. Clair County, Illinois
is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area
. This makes O'Fallon (along with the two Troys in Illinois
and Missouri
) one of the few pairs of like-named municipalities to be part of the same MSA.
, there was a westward flow of migration through the present-day St. Charles County on the Booneslick Trail (later part of Interstate 70
). During the 1830s, many German settlers came to the O'Fallon area inspired by Gottfried Duden
's Republic of the Western States of North America. The report was based on his account of living in St. Charles.
O'Fallon's history as a city started in the 1850s. Arnold Krekel was a German immigrant who held a number of offices, including U.S. District Court Judge and Missouri state legislator. He founded a German-language newspaper and invested in the North Missouri Railroad, among other activities. Krekel's younger brother Nicholas built the first house in O'Fallon and is considered by many to be the "founder" of O'Fallon. The younger Krekel was the town's first Postmaster, station agent, and operated the first general merchandise store inside his home. The City purchased this historic house in 2008 with plans for restoration after which it will be open to the public.
In 1854, Judge Krekel granted the North Missouri Railroad permission to build a depot on his property along with a right-of-way on his "Krekel Addition". In 1856, Judge Krekel named the depot O'Fallon Station after his friend John O'Fallon, the railroad's president and a noted philanthropist. In 1860, the "Krekel Addition" was renamed O'Fallon, and in 1912, it was incorporated.
For many years, O'Fallon was a quiet, small community in central St. Charles County. In the early 1980s suburban development accelerated and a population boom began. The population for O'Fallon rose to 18,698 by 1990, and was more than 70,000 residents by 2006.
of 2000, there are 46,169 people in the city, organized into 15,389 households and 12,603 families. The population density
is 2,054.9 people per square mile (793.3/km2). There are 15,920 housing units at an average density of 708.6 per square mile (273.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city is 95.32% Caucasian, 2.24% African American, 0.74% Asian, 0.23% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 1.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 15,389 households out of which 50.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.8% are married couples
living together, 8.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 18.1% are non-families. 14.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.98 and the average family size is 3.30.
In the city the population is spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 38.8% from 25 to 44, 15.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $60,179, and the median income for a family is $64,627. Males have a median income of $45,295 versus $29,129 for females. The per capita income
for the city is $21,774. 3.3% of the population and 2.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.3% of those under the age of 18 and 6.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
's Global Technology and Operations center, where MasterCard's credit-card transactions are settled. Attracting that center cost the city, county, and state:
Venture Stores
was headquartered and maintained a distribution center in O'Fallon, until its dissolution. The buildings are now occupied by True Manufacturing.
independent Frontier League
baseball team. The Rascals play at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, which was built in 1999. It is located on Tom Ginnever Boulevard and T.R. Hughes Boulevard near downtown.
Laws
Proposition S
On April 5, 2011, 72% of O'Fallon voters approved of Proposition S, the "Smoke-Free O'Fallon" Ordinance. The Ordinance became a law and went into effect on June 16, 2011. Under the new law, there is a ban on smoking in all places of employment and at indoor public events. Some examples of places of employment that are under the smoking ban include libraries, schools, bars, restaurants, stores, manufacturers and private clubs who either have employees or host public events. In edition to the smoking ban at places of employment, there should also be proper “No Smoking” signs posted at every entrance of places of employment, and no ashtray should be in the smoke free areas at places of employment. There are some exclusions in the Ordinance including: private homes, 20% of hotel and motel rooms, outdoor events, and outdoor spaces more than 3 ft. away from doorways, windows, and ventilation systems.
es of Webster University
and Lindenwood University
are located in O'Fallon. For public schools, O'Fallon is served mostly by the Fort Zumwalt School District
, and the westernmost part is served by the Wentzville R-IV School District
. The south to southeastern part of the city is served by the Francis Howell R-III School District
. St. Dominic High School is a private Catholic
school located in O'Fallon, as is Christian High School
, a non-denominational Christian secondary school.
The Southern portion of the City is served by the Wentzville Fire Protection district.
Interstate 70
Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
between Lake St. Louis
Lake St. Louis, Missouri
The City of Lake St. Louis is a planned community situated around two lakes between Interstate 70 and Interstate 64 in western St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The population was 14,545 as of the 2010 US Census. Lake St. Louis is a suburb of St...
and St. Peters
Saint Peters, Missouri
St. Peters is a city in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The 2010 census showed the city's population to be 52,575.Interstate 70 passes through the city, providing a major transportation link. In 2008 St. Peters was named the 60th best place to live by Money magazine, putting it at the...
in Saint Charles County, Missouri
Saint Charles County, Missouri
As of 2000, there were 283,883 people, 101,663 households, and 77,060 families residing in the county. The population density was 507 people per square mile . There were 105,514 housing units at an average density of 73 persons/km²...
. It is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area
St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area
Greater St. Louis is the area of Missouri and Illinois that surrounds and includes the independent city of St. Louis. Depending on the counties included in the area, it can refer to the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan statistical area or the St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL combined...
. As of the 2010 census population of 79,329, it is the seventh largest city in the state and the largest in St. Charles County. In 2006 Money Magazine named O'Fallon as one of its "Best 100 Places to Live." (39 out of 100) Money Magazine also ranked O'Fallon 68 out of 100 in 2008 and 26 out of 100 in 2010
As noted above, O'Fallon, along with its namesake in St. Clair County, Illinois
O'Fallon, Illinois
O'Fallon is a city in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States, and one of the fastest-growing communities in the Metropolitan St. Louis area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 28,281. The city is the third largest city in the Metro-East and Southern Illinois...
is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area
St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area
Greater St. Louis is the area of Missouri and Illinois that surrounds and includes the independent city of St. Louis. Depending on the counties included in the area, it can refer to the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan statistical area or the St. Louis-St. Charles-Farmington, MO-IL combined...
. This makes O'Fallon (along with the two Troys in Illinois
Troy, Illinois
Troy is a city in Madison County, Illinois, United States. The population was 8,524 at the 2000 census.Troy is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area...
and Missouri
Troy, Missouri
Troy is a city in Lincoln County, Missouri, United States. As of the 2010 census the population was 10,540. It is the county seat of Lincoln County.Troy is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area...
) one of the few pairs of like-named municipalities to be part of the same MSA.
History
After the War of 1812War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, there was a westward flow of migration through the present-day St. Charles County on the Booneslick Trail (later part of Interstate 70
Interstate 70
Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
). During the 1830s, many German settlers came to the O'Fallon area inspired by Gottfried Duden
Gottfried Duden
Gottfried Duden was a German emigration writer of the early 19th century. His famous book Bericht über eine Reise nach den westlichen Staaten Nordamerika's gave romantic and glowing descriptions of the Missouri River valley between St. Louis and Hermann, Missouri...
's Republic of the Western States of North America. The report was based on his account of living in St. Charles.
O'Fallon's history as a city started in the 1850s. Arnold Krekel was a German immigrant who held a number of offices, including U.S. District Court Judge and Missouri state legislator. He founded a German-language newspaper and invested in the North Missouri Railroad, among other activities. Krekel's younger brother Nicholas built the first house in O'Fallon and is considered by many to be the "founder" of O'Fallon. The younger Krekel was the town's first Postmaster, station agent, and operated the first general merchandise store inside his home. The City purchased this historic house in 2008 with plans for restoration after which it will be open to the public.
In 1854, Judge Krekel granted the North Missouri Railroad permission to build a depot on his property along with a right-of-way on his "Krekel Addition". In 1856, Judge Krekel named the depot O'Fallon Station after his friend John O'Fallon, the railroad's president and a noted philanthropist. In 1860, the "Krekel Addition" was renamed O'Fallon, and in 1912, it was incorporated.
For many years, O'Fallon was a quiet, small community in central St. Charles County. In the early 1980s suburban development accelerated and a population boom began. The population for O'Fallon rose to 18,698 by 1990, and was more than 70,000 residents by 2006.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there are 46,169 people in the city, organized into 15,389 households and 12,603 families. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
is 2,054.9 people per square mile (793.3/km2). There are 15,920 housing units at an average density of 708.6 per square mile (273.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city is 95.32% Caucasian, 2.24% African American, 0.74% Asian, 0.23% Native American, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 1.45% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 15,389 households out of which 50.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.8% are married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 18.1% are non-families. 14.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 3.4% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.98 and the average family size is 3.30.
In the city the population is spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 38.8% from 25 to 44, 15.3% from 45 to 64, and 6.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 97.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $60,179, and the median income for a family is $64,627. Males have a median income of $45,295 versus $29,129 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city is $21,774. 3.3% of the population and 2.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 3.3% of those under the age of 18 and 6.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Economy
O'Fallon is home to MasterCardMasterCard
Mastercard Incorporated or MasterCard Worldwide is an American multinational financial services corporation with its headquarters in the MasterCard International Global Headquarters, Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States...
's Global Technology and Operations center, where MasterCard's credit-card transactions are settled. Attracting that center cost the city, county, and state:
- $27.4 million in highway improvements;
- $10 million in tax creditTax creditA tax credit is a sum deducted from the total amount a taxpayer owes to the state. A tax credit may be granted for various types of taxes, such as an income tax, property tax, or VAT. It may be granted in recognition of taxes already paid, as a subsidy, or to encourage investment or other behaviors...
s funded through the state, and an additional $1.2 million in business facility tax credits; - $3 million in state job-training programs for its employees;
- Refinanced loans and community development grants worth more than $1.6 million; and
- A $785,000 rate discount on electricity service from Ameren.
Venture Stores
Venture Stores
Venture Stores, Inc., was a chain of retail stores that operated in the American Midwest. The company operated over 70 stores with major market share in St. Louis, Chicago and Kansas City, being headquartered in the St. Louis suburb of O'Fallon, Missouri....
was headquartered and maintained a distribution center in O'Fallon, until its dissolution. The buildings are now occupied by True Manufacturing.
Sports
O'Fallon is the home of the River City RascalsRiver City Rascals
The River City Rascals are a professional baseball team based in O'Fallon, Missouri, in the United States. The Rascals are a member of the West Division of the Frontier League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 1999 season to the present, the Rascals have played their...
independent Frontier League
Frontier League
The Frontier League, based in Sauget, Illinois, is a professional, independent baseball organization located in the Midwestern United States, Western Pennsylvania, and Southern Ontario. It operates mostly in cities not served by Major or Minor League Baseball teams and is not affiliated with either...
baseball team. The Rascals play at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, which was built in 1999. It is located on Tom Ginnever Boulevard and T.R. Hughes Boulevard near downtown.
Parks and recreation
- Civic Park - A 20 acres (80,937.2 m²) park featuring Alligator's Creek Aquatic Center and Civic Hall.
- Dames Park - A 59 acres (238,764.7 m²) sports park with three football fields and a fitness course.
- Fort Zumwalt Park - A 47.5 acres (192,225.9 m²) park featuring a fishing lake, playgrounds and historic Fort Zumwalt.
- Knaust Park - A 6 acres (24,281.2 m²) park with a playground and walking path.
- O'Fallon Sports Park - A 95 acres (384,451.7 m²) soccer complex with 12 fields playgrounds and concessions. Also home to the Renaud Spirit Center.
- Ozzie Smith Sports Complex - A 76 acres (307,561.4 m²) baseball/softball complex with seven diamonds and the St. Charles Co. Amateur Sports Hall of Fame. Adjacent to the T.R. Hughes Ballpark.
- Westhoff Park - A 65 acres (263,045.9 m²) park featuring baseball diamonds, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, basketball courts, tennis and handball courts, and a skate park.
Climate
Government
O'Fallon operates under a charter form of government. In 2010 the current four wards were redistricted and a new, fifth ward was created. The current mayor is William "Bill" Hennessy. The current (April 2011) City Council members are: Bill Gardner, Rick Lucas, Rose Mack, Jim Pepper, John Haman, Rick Batelle, Jeff Schwentker, Bob Howell, Mark Perkins, and Mike Pheney. The City Administrator is Keith Riesberg.Laws
Proposition S
On April 5, 2011, 72% of O'Fallon voters approved of Proposition S, the "Smoke-Free O'Fallon" Ordinance. The Ordinance became a law and went into effect on June 16, 2011. Under the new law, there is a ban on smoking in all places of employment and at indoor public events. Some examples of places of employment that are under the smoking ban include libraries, schools, bars, restaurants, stores, manufacturers and private clubs who either have employees or host public events. In edition to the smoking ban at places of employment, there should also be proper “No Smoking” signs posted at every entrance of places of employment, and no ashtray should be in the smoke free areas at places of employment. There are some exclusions in the Ordinance including: private homes, 20% of hotel and motel rooms, outdoor events, and outdoor spaces more than 3 ft. away from doorways, windows, and ventilation systems.
Education
Satellite campusCampus
A campus is traditionally the land on which a college or university and related institutional buildings are situated. Usually a campus includes libraries, lecture halls, residence halls and park-like settings...
es of Webster University
Webster University
Webster University is an American non-profit private university with its main campus in Webster Groves, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Webster University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools...
and Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University
Lindenwood University, often referred to as Lindenwood or LU, is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Saint Charles, Missouri, United States...
are located in O'Fallon. For public schools, O'Fallon is served mostly by the Fort Zumwalt School District
Fort Zumwalt School District
Fort Zumwalt School District is headquartered in O'Fallon, Missouri, United States.The school district serves Saint Paul and portions of O'Fallon, Saint Peters, and Dardenne Prairie.-High schools:* Comprehensive** Fort Zumwalt North High School...
, and the westernmost part is served by the Wentzville R-IV School District
Wentzville R-IV School District
Wentzville R-IV School District is a school district in Wentzville, Missouri, United States.The district serves the cities of Foristell, Lake St. Louis, and Wentzville; and portions of O'Fallon and Dardenne Prairie...
. The south to southeastern part of the city is served by the Francis Howell R-III School District
Francis Howell R-III School District
The Francis Howell School District has provided education services to students in St. Charles County, Missouri since 1830. Through mergers, it became the Consolidated School District No. 2 of St. Charles County in 1913, and the Francis Howell Reorganized School District #3 in 1951. Population...
. St. Dominic High School is a private Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
school located in O'Fallon, as is Christian High School
Christian High School
Christian High School, also known as CHS, is in O'Fallon, Missouri. The school mascot is the Eagle and the school colors are teal and black.- History :...
, a non-denominational Christian secondary school.
Infrastructure
Fire Protection is mostly provided by the O'Fallon Fire Protection District which in 2007 became the first Internationally Accredited Fire Agency in the State of Missouri. The award was made by the Center for Public Safety Excellence's Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). The CFAI has approved accreditation status for only 120 fire agencies world wide.The Southern portion of the City is served by the Wentzville Fire Protection district.
See also
- The Megan MeierSuicide of Megan MeierMegan Taylor Meier , was an American teenager from Dardenne Prairie, Missouri, who committed suicide by hanging three weeks before her fourteenth birthday. A year later, Meier's parents prompted an investigation into the matter and her suicide was attributed to cyber-bullying through the social...
suicide controversy involves residents of O'Fallon and nearby Dardenne PrairieDardenne Prairie, MissouriDardenne Prairie is a city in St. Charles County, Missouri, United States. The population was 4,384 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Dardenne Prairie is located at...
.
External links
- City of O'Fallon
- St. Charles City-County Library District
- O'Fallon MO Police Scanner Live Online
- Historic maps of O'Fallon in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of MissouriUniversity of MissouriThe University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...