At A Glance
Population (2020): 8,654
Zip Code(s): 63122, 63131
Area Code: 314
Average Home Sale Price: $580,000
History/Overview
Des Peres, Missouri is a city in west St. Louis County with a rich history. The area was first inhabited by many Native American tribes including the Mitchignamea, Cahokia, Moingona, Kaskaskia, and Tamaroa. In the area surrounding Des Peres, there were also tribes of the Osage Nation as well. They were members of the Dhegiha Sioux tribes, which also included other tribes such as the Kansas, Ponca, Omaha, and Quapaw.
Many historians believe Des Peres is the oldest white settlement in the state, as it was first founded in December 1700. The first group consisted of French and Kaskaskia Native Americans who fled the camp of confederated Illinois Tribes. The city was named Des Peres because it’s French for “The Fathers” and this was a way to pay homage to French Jesuit missionaries who called the area home.
The settlement was located at the mouth of the River des Peres, but it’s possible that the initial settlers found the region unhealthy. Thus, they moved across the Mississippi River to a wide-open prairie close to the Kaskaskia River.
Des Peres became home to European descendants in the 1800s, and by 1850, St. Louis was home to 75,000 people. This city was mainly settled by German immigrants and southerners from the Carolinas and Virginia. These settlers had heard the area had lots of farmland that was being sold off by the US Government in 80 up to 160-acre plots.
Location
Des Peres, Missouri is located in west St. Louis County and is only about 16 miles or 20-minutes outside of downtown St. Louis. The city is bordered by Creve Coeur to the north, Town and Country to the west, Kirkwood to the south, and Rock Hill to the east.
Schools
Des Peres, MO schools are serviced by the Parkway School District and Kirkwood School District. It’s also home to many private schools such as:
- St. Clement School
- St. Paul’s Lutheran School
- Hope Montessori Academy
- The St. Austin School
Top Employers
Des Peres is a great place for employment, as it’s home to many different franchises of all types. It’s also home to the headquarters for these companies:
- Edward Jones Investments
- Redbird Engineering
- West County Plaza
Crime
The crime rate in Des Peres is very low. The city has a crime rate of one crime per 1,000 residents. This is one of the lowest crime rates in the state, making it a great choice for a place to raise a family or settle down as a young professional.
Parks
When in Des Peres you’ll have access to many gorgeous parks, such as:
- Des Peres Park
- Sugar Creek Park
- Pioneer Park
- Hardwood Park
- Phantom Forest Conservation Center
- River Des Peres Park
Noteworthy Places
Here are some additional noteworthy places you’ll find in Des Peres, Missouri:
- The Lodge
- West County Center
- River Des Peres
FAQs
River Des Peres was built in the 1930s to help with local flooding after several floods proved to be fatal. Today, it functions as a storm drain and sanitary sewer.
River Des Peres begins in Forest Park where it runs through underground tunnels. It then reappears at and acts as the line between St. Louis City and St. Louis County before flowing onto the Mississippi River.
If you’re looking for a quiet suburb that has the feel of a small city but offers easy access to the metropolitan area, then Des Peres is perfect for you! The crime rate is low and it’s home to many different types of industries, making it a fantastic place to raise a family, settle down as a young professional, or even start a business.