Jennings, Missouri

Jennings is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. Per the 2020 census, the population was 12,895.

History
The city was named after James Jennings, a farmer and merchant who moved to the area from Virginia with his family and retinue of slaves in 1839. In 1855, a railway was constructed which bisected the original Jennings property. Apparently the first commercial concern originating in the area was the Seed Dry Plate Company in 1883, which left for Rochester, New York around 1911 after its purchase by Eastman Kodak. The city benefited from the economic boom following World War II and was incorporated (with state and county administrations) in 1946.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.70 sqmi, all land.

2020 census
The 2020 United States census counted 12,895 people, 6,484 households, and 3,514 families in Jennings. The population density was 3,457.1 per square mile (1,333.5/km$2$). There were 7,878 housing units at an average density of 2,112.1 per square mile (814.7/km$2$). The racial makeup was 5.45% (703) white, 91.05% (11,741) black or African-American, 0.16% (20) Native American, 0.23% (30) Asian, 0.01% (1) Pacific Islander, 0.47% (60) from other races, and 2.64% (340) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 0.5% (80) of the population.

Of the 6,484 households, 22.0% had children under the age of 18; 18.0% were married couples living together; 59.2% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 39.8% consisted of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 3.1.

25.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 31.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.3 years. For every 100 females, the population had 75.6 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 84.0 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $31,952 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,609) and the median family income was $39,699 (+/- $10,265). Males had a median income of $24,518 (+/- $3,962) versus $30,212 (+/- $2,621) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $27,411 (+/- $3,369). Approximately, 23.1% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under the age of 18 and 38.7% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 14,712 people, 5,847 households and 3,782 families living in the city. The population density was 3976.2 /sqmi. There were 6,937 housing units at an average density of 1874.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.8% African American, 8.5% White, 0.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6%.

Of the 5,847 households, 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 22.4% were married couples living together, 36.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.3% were non-families. 31.2% of households were one person and 10.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.13.

The median age was 35.2 years. 27% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.3% were from 25 to 44; 27.7% were from 45 to 64; and 10.7% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 44.5% male and 55.5% female.

2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 15,469 people, 6,174 households and 4,081 families living in the city. The population density was 4,193.3 /sqmi. There were 6,798 housing units at an average density of 1,842.8 /sqmi. The racial make-up was 19.32% White, 78.58% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.19% from other races, and 1.40% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73%.

Of the 6,174 households, 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.2% were married couples living together, 31.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 30.4% of households were one person and 11.6% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.12.

The age distribution was 30.4% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 20.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 72.2 males.

The median household income was $29,196 and the median family income was $33,761. Males had a median income of $28,697 and females $25,013. The per capita income was $15,820. About 16.0% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over.

Public safety
The City of Jennings contracts with the St. Louis County Police Department to provide professional police services to the city.

The City of Jennings Police Department was disbanded by the city in 2011 due to corruption within the department, including cases of missing money.

Jennings has its own Fire Department that protects the city with 16 full-time firefighters. Jennings FD regularly backs up Northeast Ambulance & Fire Protection District on mutual-aid calls.