Black Jack, Missouri

Black Jack is a second-ring suburb of St. Louis, located in northern St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 6,929 at the 2010 census.

A post office called Black Jack was established in 1872, and operated until 1906. The community was named for a grove of blackjack oak trees near the original town site.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.60 sqmi, of which 2.59 sqmi is land and 0.01 sqmi is water.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 6,929 people, 2,591 households, and 1,797 families living in the city. The population density was 2675.3 PD/sqmi. There were 2,809 housing units at an average density of 1084.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 81.2% African American, 16.3% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population.

There were 2,591 households, of which 35.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.6% were married couples living together, 21.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.6% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.13.

The median age in the city was 40.9 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22% were from 25 to 44; 29.1% were from 45 to 64; and 16.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.9% male and 55.1% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,792 people, 2,422 households, and 1,789 families living in the city. The population density was 2,553.3 PD/sqmi. There were 2,587 housing units at an average density of 972.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 26.31% White, 71.32% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 2,422 households, out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.3% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $51,806, and the median income for a family was $63,324. Males had a median income of $41,969 versus $30,930 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,705. About 2.8% of families and 4.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.2% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.

Family controversy
In May 2006, the Black Jack city government made a controversial decision to remove an unmarried couple and their children from their own home on the grounds that the couple was not related enough to each other to satisfy a municipal ordinance. For the purpose of obtaining an occupancy permit, Black Jack defined a family as:
 * An individual; or
 * Two or more persons related by blood, marriage or adoption; or
 * A group of not more than three persons who need not be related by blood, marriage or adoption.

Therefore, an unmarried couple with one child would qualify as a family, whereas an unmarried couple with multiple children would not.

On August 10, 2006, the ACLU of Eastern Missouri filed a lawsuit against the city, claiming violation of due process and equal protection, and violation of housing laws. On August 15 the Black Jack city council unanimously passed a resolution changing the definition of family to include an unmarried couple and their children.