Ferguson, Missouri

Ferguson, Missouri
Name	Ferguson, Missouri
Settlement type	City
Pushpin label	Ferguson
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Missouri
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	St. Louis
Established title	Founded
Established date	1855
Established title2	Incorporated
Established date2	1894
Government type	Council–manager government
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Ella Jones
Leader title1	City Manager
Leader name1	Michele (Mikki) Gardner
Unit pref	Imperial
Area total km2	16.07
Area total sq mi	6.20
Area land km2	16.07
Area land sq mi	6.20
Area water km2	0.00
Area water sq mi	0.00
Elevation m	153
Elevation ft	502
Population as of	2020
Population total	18,527
Population density km2	1152.8
Population density sq mi	2985.0
Timezone	CST
Utc offset	-6
Timezone DST	CDT
Utc offset DST	-5
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	63135
Area code	314
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	29-23986
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0757660
Website	https://www.fergusoncity.com/

Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, located within the greater St. Louis metropolitan area. Founded in the mid-19th century, it evolved from a railroad depot into a streetcar suburb and later a predominantly African American community. The city gained international attention following the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown and the subsequent Ferguson unrest, events that sparked a national movement and intense scrutiny of police brutality and racial profiling in the United States.

History

The area was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Osage. European settlement increased after the Louisiana Purchase, with William B. Ferguson donating land for a Wabash Railroad depot around 1855, leading to the town's founding. Incorporated in 1894, Ferguson grew as a streetcar suburb connected to Downtown St. Louis via the St. Louis Streetcar system. The post-World War II era saw significant demographic change, part of a national phenomenon known as white flight, transforming Ferguson from a predominantly white community. This shift set the stage for later tensions, culminating in the 2014 death of Michael Brown at the hands of Ferguson Police Department officer Darren Wilson, an event investigated by the United States Department of Justice under Attorney General Eric Holder.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Ferguson has a total area of approximately 6.2 square miles, all land. It is situated in central St. Louis County, bordered by municipalities such as Florissant, Jennings, and Calverton Park. The terrain is relatively flat, typical of the American Bottom region near the Mississippi River. Major thoroughfares include West Florissant Avenue, which became a focal point during the 2014 protests, and Interstate 270.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 18,527. The city is overwhelmingly African American, comprising over 70% of residents, with smaller populations of White, Multiracial, and Hispanic or Latino individuals. The median household income is below the state average, and a significant portion of the population lives below the poverty line. These socioeconomic factors, alongside issues of voter suppression and municipal court practices highlighted in the Ferguson unrest, have been subjects of ongoing study by organizations like the NAACP and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Government

Ferguson operates under a council–manager government system. The city council is elected, and the mayor presides over council meetings; Ella Jones became the city's first African American mayor in 2020. Day-to-day operations are managed by an appointed city manager, a position held by Michele (Mikki) Gardner. The Ferguson Police Department and municipal court system underwent major reforms following a scathing 2015 report by the United States Department of Justice, which found patterns of unconstitutional policing. The city is part of Missouri's 1st congressional district, represented in the United States House of Representatives by Cori Bush.

Economy

Ferguson's economy is primarily retail and service-oriented, centered along corridors like West Florissant Avenue and Northwinds Plaza. Major employers include the Walmart Supercenter and various small businesses. The city has worked to stimulate economic development through initiatives like the Ferguson Community Empowerment Center, often in partnership with organizations such as the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. The economic impact of the 2014 unrest was significant, with many businesses damaged or closing, though efforts led by the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership have aimed at revitalization.

Education

Public education is provided by the Ferguson-Florissant School District, which operates schools like McCluer High School and Ferguson Middle School. The district has been involved in desegregation efforts stemming from the landmark case Liddell v. Board of Education. Higher education opportunities are available nearby at institutions such as the University of Missouri–St. Louis and St. Louis Community College. The Ferguson Municipal Public Library serves as a crucial community hub, gaining national recognition for its role during the 2014 protests.

Culture and recreation

The city hosts annual events like the Ferguson Twilight Run and the Ferguson Farmers' Market. Cultural landmarks include the Ferguson Brewing Company and the historic Ferguson Station Depot. Recreational facilities are centered around January-Wabash Park and the Ferguson Community Center. The events of 2014 have also made locations like the Canfield Green apartment complex and the Ferguson Police Department headquarters sites of historical significance within the Black Lives Matter movement, attracting visitors and activists from across the nation.

Category:Cities in Missouri Category:St. Louis County, Missouri Category:Populated places established in 1855