Wentzville, Missouri
Encyclopedia
Wentzville is a city located in western St. Charles County, Missouri, United States
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 29,070. The city's major employer is General Motors which has a full size van assembly plant located there. As the site of the county fairgrounds, Wentzville hosts the annual St. Charles County Fair, St. Louis Pirate Festival and the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire.
During the American Civil War
, the city was the site of a series of skirmishes along the railroad from July 15 to July 17, 1861. Elements of the 2nd and 8th Missouri
Infantry Regiments en route to Mexico, Missouri
engaged Confederate guerrillas who threatened the railroad.
Wentzville is located at the intersection of I-70, US-61 and I-64. It is known as the "Crossroads of the Nation".
The city is also the namesake of George Thorogood
's song "Back to Wentzville" from his album, Bad to the Bone
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 14.4 square miles (37.3 km²), of which 14.4 square miles (37.3 km²) of is land and 0.07% is water.
of 2000, there were 13,931 people, 2,456 households, and 1,846 families residing in the city. The population density
is 478.9 people per square mile (184.9/km²). There are 2,724 housing units at an average density of 189.2 per square mile (73.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 84.63% White, 12.02% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, 2.06% from two or more races. 1.49% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,456 households out of which 43.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% are married couples
living together, 17.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% are non-families. 20.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.76 and the average family size is 3.20.
In the city the population is spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $47,232, and the median income for a family is $53,082. Males have a median income of $38,423 versus $25,852 for females. The per capita income
for the city is $18,039. 11.6% of the population and 10.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.1% of those under the age of 18 and 13.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
covers Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, Foristell and parts of O'Fallon.
The high-school mascot for Wentzville Holt high school is the Indian, and the high-school mascot for Wentzville Timberland high school is the Wolf.
Wentzville is also home to St. Patrick School, a semi-large Catholic school serving kindergarten through eighth grade.
Lindenwood University has a satellite campus located in the building that was formerly known as "Southern Air," a restaurant which, after many years as a popular stop for travelers between St. Louis and Columbia, was last owned by Chuck Berry.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 29,070. The city's major employer is General Motors which has a full size van assembly plant located there. As the site of the county fairgrounds, Wentzville hosts the annual St. Charles County Fair, St. Louis Pirate Festival and the Greater St. Louis Renaissance Faire.
History
Wentzville was founded in 1855 as a depot on the Northern Missouri Railroad. It was named after Erasmus Livingston Wentz, a railroad engineer for the line. The land was obtained from William M. Allen, who laid out the town. Wentzville was not incorporated until 1872.During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, the city was the site of a series of skirmishes along the railroad from July 15 to July 17, 1861. Elements of the 2nd and 8th Missouri
8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry
The 8th Missouri Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union army during the American Civil War. Among its early leaders were Morgan Lewis Smith and Giles Alexander Smith, both of whom later became generals....
Infantry Regiments en route to Mexico, Missouri
Mexico, Missouri
Mexico is a city in Audrain County, Missouri, United States. The population was 11,543 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Audrain County. The Mexico Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Audrain County...
engaged Confederate guerrillas who threatened the railroad.
Wentzville is located at the intersection of I-70, US-61 and I-64. It is known as the "Crossroads of the Nation".
The city is also the namesake of George Thorogood
George Thorogood
George Thorogood is an American blues rock vocalist/guitarist from Wilmington, Delaware, United States, known for his hit song "Bad to the Bone" as well as for covers of blues standards such as Hank Williams' "Move It On Over" and John Lee Hooker's "House Rent Boogie/One Bourbon, One Scotch, One...
's song "Back to Wentzville" from his album, Bad to the Bone
Bad to the Bone (album)
Bad to the Bone is the 5th studio album by the American Blues-Rock band George Thorogood & The Destroyers. It was released in 1982 by the label EMI America Records and contains their best known song, "Bad to the Bone". The album also features The Rolling Stones side-man Ian Stewart on keyboards and...
.
Geography
Wentzville is located at 38°48'58" North, 90°51'26" West (38.816010, -90.857198).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 14.4 square miles (37.3 km²), of which 14.4 square miles (37.3 km²) of is land and 0.07% is water.
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 were 13,931 people, 2,456 households, and 1,846 families residing in the city. 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 478.9 people per square mile (184.9/km²). There are 2,724 housing units at an average density of 189.2 per square mile (73.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city is 84.63% White, 12.02% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, 2.06% from two or more races. 1.49% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,456 households out of which 43.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% 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, 17.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% are non-families. 20.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 9.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.76 and the average family size is 3.20.
In the city the population is spread out with 31.8% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 10.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 31 years. For every 100 females there are 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $47,232, and the median income for a family is $53,082. Males have a median income of $38,423 versus $25,852 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 $18,039. 11.6% of the population and 10.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.1% of those under the age of 18 and 13.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Schools
The Wentzville School DistrictWentzville 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...
covers Wentzville, Lake St. Louis, Foristell and parts of O'Fallon.
The high-school mascot for Wentzville Holt high school is the Indian, and the high-school mascot for Wentzville Timberland high school is the Wolf.
Wentzville is also home to St. Patrick School, a semi-large Catholic school serving kindergarten through eighth grade.
Lindenwood University has a satellite campus located in the building that was formerly known as "Southern Air," a restaurant which, after many years as a popular stop for travelers between St. Louis and Columbia, was last owned by Chuck Berry.
Government
The government of Wentzville consists of a city manager, a mayor, and six aldermen (two for each ward). City manager is a non-elected position, whereas the others are elected. Mayors and aldermen serve two-year terms. The current city manager is Dianna Wright. The current mayor is Paul Lambi. The city is divided into three wards.Famous residents
- Chuck BerryChuck BerryCharles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer, and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs such as "Maybellene" , "Roll Over Beethoven" , "Rock and Roll Music" and "Johnny B...
- MusicianMusicianA musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
- Montee BallMontee BallMontee Ball is an American football running back for the Wisconsin Badgers.-College career:Ball began the 2010 season as the backup running back to John Clay, the 2009 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year...
- Star Running Back for the University of Wisconsin - Madison Football Badgers (2009-Present)
External links
- Wentzville, Missouri
- Historic maps of Wentzville 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...