History
Maplewood was established around the turn of the 20th century. Maplewood was one of the early suburbs of St. Louis. Located just outside the city limits, Maplewood was located at the end of one of St. Louis's streetcar lines and was also located near major railroads.[4]
It was built as a bedroom community. Advertising suggested that people should get away from the city (in an era of common and sooty commercial, industrial, and domestic coal burning) and enjoy the fresh air of less densely populated areas like Maplewood. Maplewood's historic residential areas were mostly built from 1900 to 1910 and a number of well-preserved homes remain. Several of these homes have remained in the same family for generations.
Maplewood is currently being revitalized by an influx of restaurants, businesses, and shops around Manchester Ave., Sutton Ave., and the Greenwood Historic District.
Up until 2018, under a local nuisance ordinance, a person who called the police for domestic violence more than twice in 180 days could face eviction. In 2012, a woman was evicted from her home after she had called the police four times to request protection from physical assaults by her ex-boyfriend. She became homeless in the process. In 2017, the ACLU filed a lawsuit on behalf of the victim, claiming that the Maplewood nuisance ordinance violated the First Amendment right to petition the government for assistance, as well as the rights to travel, equal protection and due process.[5] In 2018, the ordinance was revised to eliminate language that allowed officials to fine or evict people who were victims of crime.[6]
In 2021, residents of Maplewood elected Nikylan Knapper as the city's first black mayor.[7]
Demographics
Historical population
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|
| 1910 | 4,976 | | — |
|---|
| 1920 | 7,431 | | 49.3% |
|---|
| 1930 | 12,657 | | 70.3% |
|---|
| 1940 | 12,875 | | 1.7% |
|---|
| 1950 | 13,416 | | 4.2% |
|---|
| 1960 | 12,552 | | −6.4% |
|---|
| 1970 | 12,785 | | 1.9% |
|---|
| 1980 | 10,960 | | −14.3% |
|---|
| 1990 | 9,962 | | −9.1% |
|---|
| 2000 | 9,228 | | −7.4% |
|---|
| 2010 | 8,046 | | −12.8% |
|---|
| 2020 | 8,269 | | 2.8% |
|---|
|
2020 census
The 2020 United States census[10] counted 8,269 people, 4,345 households, and 1,762 families in Maplewood. The population density was 5,300.6 per square mile (2,041.7/km2). There were 4,724 housing units at an average density of 3,028.2 per square mile (1,166.4/km2). The racial makeup was 73.64% (6,089) white, 13.19% (1,091) black or African-American, 0.28% (23) Native American, 3.3% (273) Asian, 0.07% (6) Pacific Islander, 1.21% (100) from other races, and 8.31% (687) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 2.6% (206) of the population.
Of the 4,345 households, 21.4% had children under the age of 18; 23.6% were married couples living together; 41.7% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 51.2% consisted of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.9 and the average family size was 2.8.
19.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 36.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 88.7 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 81.6 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[11] estimates show that the median household income was $49,833 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,469) and the median family income was $71,939 (+/- $4,544). Males had a median income of $40,494 (+/- $13,044) versus $38,790 (+/- $1,407) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $38,922 (+/- $1,549). Approximately, 10.4% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.6% of those under the age of 18 and 18.6% of those ages 65 or over.
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 8,046 people, 4,269 households, and 1,769 families living in the city. The population density was 5,963.8 inhabitants per square mile (2,302.6/km2). There were 4,889 housing units at an average density of 3,403.3 per square mile (1,314.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 74.1% White, 17.2% African American, 0.2% Native American, 3.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.3% from other races, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.22%.[3]
Of the 4,269 households 18.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 25.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 58.6% were non-families. 48.6% of households were one person and 6.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.88 and the average family size was 2.78.
The age distribution was 19.1% under the age of 20, 9.1% from 20 to 24, 37.0% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% 65 or older. The median age was 34.7 years. The city was 50.2% male and 49.8% female.[12]
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 9,228 people, 4,815 households, and 2,041 families living in the city. The population density was 5,963.8 inhabitants per square mile (2,302.6/km2). There were 5,266 housing units at an average density of 3,403.3 per square mile (1,314.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 76.16% White, 15.93% African American, 0.33% Native American, 4.23% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.72% from other races, and 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.22%.[3]
Of the 4,815 households 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.1% were married couples living together, 81.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 5.6% were non-families. 4.5% of households were one person and 7.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 1.92 and the average family size was 2.83.
The age distribution was 18.3% under the age of 18, 13.0% from 18 to 24, 39.0% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.7 males.
In 2000 The median household income was $29,151, and the median family income was $44,178. Males had a median income of $30,279 versus $24,025 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,087. About 10.6% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Since 1978, Maplewood has utilized a charter form of government with a council-manager government structure. The mayor of Maplewood is elected at large by the community and serves a three-year term.[13] As of April 2021, the current mayor is Nikylan Knapper. The City Manager is the administrative head of the City, whereas the Mayor acts as a member of the City Council, but has no veto power.[14]
