Eminent domain

Arnold was a focal point over the eminent domain issue in Missouri.^[6] In January 2004, the City of Arnold announced that THF Realty had approached them regarding developing a section of Arnold known as the Triangle,^[7] an area bordered by Route 141, Interstate 55 and Church Road in the city limits. The city voted in favor of the Triangle Development project proceeding on September 16, 2005.

According to an agreement with THF, Arnold would acquire the properties in the triangle and would be reimbursed its costs by THF. Arnold offered the property owners a buy-out, and most accepted. Some businesses were promised relocation^[7] either in the new development or elsewhere in the city. Others were not given this option. Some refused the offer, and the city moved to condemn the dissenting properties. One such hold out was Homer R. Tourkakis, the owner of a dental practice on the corner of the triangle formed by Route 141 and Interstate 55.

Tourkakis claims that THF never made a fair-market offer. THF claims they offered to rebuild his practice elsewhere and purchase his property for $600,000. Tourkakis's property was declared blighted, and Arnold sought to seize it under eminent domain. Tourkakis fought these proceedings in the Jefferson County courts. Arnold and THF argued that although incorporated cities are not explicitly granted the use of eminent domain does not imply they are denied it. The judge ruled that because Arnold is a third-class city, under Missouri law, it cannot use eminent domain to seize properties.^[6] In appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court, the decision was reversed, ruling that through the TIF act and the City of Arnold being an incorporated municipality, had the right to use eminent domain.^[8]

Red light cameras

In 2005, Arnold became the first city in Missouri to install red light cameras.^[9] A 2009 lawsuit against the cameras was dismissed on procedural grounds.^[10] In 2013 the Missouri Court of Appeals Eastern District ruled the Arnold red-light camera ordinance to be unconstitutional.^[11]

Notable events

On October 24, 1988 Republican vice-presidential candidate Dan Quayle addressed the students at Fox High School, listening to questions and discussing the fight on drugs.

On July 17, 1993 President Bill Clinton with several members of his cabinet held a "flood summit" at Fox High School during the Great Flood of 1993. During the summit, Clinton promised the governors of flood-damaged states that his administration would not abandon them once the water recedes.^[12]

On April 29, 2009, United States President Barack Obama held a town hall meeting commemorating his 100th day in office at Fox High School in Arnold. Several members of the presidents cabinet and staff attended the event including senior White House advisers Valerie Jarrett and David Axelrod and National Security Adviser James L. Jones.

Meramec River flooding

The Meramec River crested at a record level of 47.26 feet on December 31, 2015, after a weekend of heavy rain, affecting over 300 homes and breaking the previous record crest from 1993.^[13] The floodwaters closed Interstate 55 at the Meramec just north of Arnold.^[14]

Flooding struck again in 2017 after heavy rains, with the Meramec cresting at 45.62 feet on May 3. Only the southbound lanes of I-55 were closed by floodwater.^[15] Approximately 20 homes were affected.^[16]

2020 census

The 2020 United States census^[20] counted 20,858 people, 8,518 households, and 5,607 families in Arnold. The population density was 1,809.0 per square mile (698.8/km²). There were 8,961 housing units at an average density of 777.2 per square mile (300.2/km²). The racial makeup was 89.55% (18,678) white, 0.94% (196) black or African-American, 0.21% (43) Native American, 1.11% (232) Asian, 0.06% (13) Pacific Islander, 0.81% (169) from other races, and 7.32% (1,527) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 1.7% (363) of the population.

Of the 8,518 households, 31.6% had children under the age of 18; 49.8% were married couples living together; 27.0% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 25.7% consisted of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.0.

23.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 97.1 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 93.2 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey^[21] estimates show that the median household income was $64,678 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,401) and the median family income $76,738 (+/- $8,404). Males had a median income of $47,707 (+/- $5,963) versus $32,198 (+/- $4,524) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $38,896 (+/- $2,588). Approximately, 6.5% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.4% of those under the age of 18 and 6.5% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census^[22] of 2010, there were 20,808 people, 8,090 households, and 5,695 families living in the city. The population density was 1,796.9 inhabitants per square mile (693.8/km²). There were 8,547 housing units at an average density of 738.1 per square mile (285.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.3% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.

There were 8,090 households, of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.3% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.6% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the city was 39.2 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.4% were from 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[5] of 2000, there were 19,965 people, 7,550 households, and 5,564 families living in the city. The population density was 1,775.0 inhabitants per square mile (685.3/km²). There were 7,913 housing units at an average density of 703.5 per square mile (271.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.91% White, 0.30% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.27% from other races, and 0.92% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.04% of the population.

There were 7,550 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.2% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.3% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,188, and the median income for a family was $53,664. Males had a median income of $37,972 versus $27,222 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,378. About 3.0% of families and 4.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.1% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.