Chesterfield is located in West County, officially 22 miles from downtown St Louis.  It was incorported in 1988 and covers about 32 square miles.  The population of Chesterfield is just under 50,000 people.  The median household income is $83,802.00 and the median home value is $238,300 (this is based on the 2000 US Census Data report and the numbers have increased since then).  The school district's servicing Chesterfield are Parkway and Rockwood, both of which typically receive very high ratings from the Missouri State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). 

Many people have a tendency to call most of West County "Chesterfield".  This area was largely rural until the 1960's when both housing and commercial development started to expand into the area from St Louis.  It was with the building of Highway 270 (the outer belt around St Louis) and the advent of more families having cars and not being tied to public transportation though, that the area really started to grow.  US Highway 40/Interstate Highway 64 with 6 lanes, runs through Chesterfield, allowing commuters quick and easy access to get to work. 

As one of the earliest settled areas in the West County, the city was originally started as 6 different towns or communities, each with it's own post office.  The area originally known as Hilltown dates to 1837.  It became Bellemonte (French for "Beautiful Mountain" in 1851, then  Bellefontaine (French for Beautiful Spring) in 1869.  This area is essentially at the intersection of Olive and Chesterfield Parkway now.  To give you an idea of the age of the area, the Antioch Baptist Church was founded in 1841.

In 1850 the area known as "Hog Hollow" was initially started with a Post Office being established in the community in 1871.  In 1872, the name was officially changed to "Lake", however the locals continued to refer to it as "Hog Hollow".  This area can be found at the intersection of Hog Hollow Road and Olive.  In the late 60's, early 70's this was a favorite area for local teenagers to hang out and drag race as it was fairly rural at that time.

Today the area known as Gumbo is more noted for the old jail facility, then for the original Road House that was at the 25 mile marker from St Louis.  The area got it's name because when there were heavy rains the very rich soil would have a thick consistency, similar to a Louisiana Gumbo stew.  During the 1904 World's Fair, the walkways and streets at the fair were made from a gravel that came from the Gumbo area.  This area is still noted for the rich farm lands that it contains.  Currently the area is called the Chesterfield Valley and is at the intersection of Chesterfield Airport Road and Long Road, right off of US Highway 40/Interstate Highway 64.

The area known as Atherton was settled along the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Rail Road Lines in the 1870's.  Later the name was changed to Eatherton, then to Monach.  This area is at Eatherton and Centaur Roads.

Bonhomme (French for "Good Man") was a small community at the Western end of Olive, close to the Howell's Ferry Landing, which was washed away in a flood in the late 1800's.  The name Bonhomme is frequently used in St Louis, but nothing remains of the original community.

Chesterfield was started in 1797 by 3 families who had settled on land they received in Spanish Land Grants.  In 1815 a Col Justus Post came to the area from Vermont and in 1817 bought 400 acres from the original families for $1.25 an acre and named the community Chesterfield.  Eventually, he acquired 21,204 acres of land in the area.  He laid out the original community of Chesterfield which straddled Wild Horse Creek Road between Baxter and Wilson Roads and the initial roads in the aea.  The town plat that he built was recorded in 1838.  Burkhardt's Subdivision was started in 1877 (after the railroad opened up the area), where Olive crossed the railroad lines.  Chesterfield later relocated to this area, in order to be closer to the Railroad Depot.

Chesterfield is considered "upscale" and a prime location to live in.  This makes the land in Chesterfield among the most valuable in the St Louis area, resulting in higher prices, but also greater amenities.  The statistics for Single Family Homes in Chesterfield for 2005 can be found here (these are for Jan 1, 2005 through Dec 31st, 2005 for solds, expired and withdrawn properties.  The current statistics are as of Jan 19, 2006).  Please note that while the lowest recorded price was for $152,000, finding a home for that price in Chesterfield is very rare and the house was probably a tear down.  The average selling price in Chesterfield is $440,037 for a single family home and the median price is $370,000.

The statistics for Condos in Chesterfield for 2005 can be found here  at the bottom of the page.  These are for Jan 1, 2005 through Dec 31st, 2005 for solds, expired and withdrawn properties.  The current statistics are as of Jan 19, 2006.  This category also includes "Villa" Homes.  Please note that while the lowest recorded price was for $90,000, finding a condo for that price in Chesterfield is very rare and the unit was probably not in very good condition.  The average selling price in Chesterfield is $316,384 for a single family home and the median price is $266,350.

Chesterfield is a WONDERFUL, family oriented environment.  It has great parks, family events and more.  One highlight in the area is Faust Park.  This St Louis County Park features the historic home of one of Missouri's first governors.  It also has a historic village located in the park, where the community has gradually moved log cabins and other historic homes and businesses.  During the summer re-enactments are held on the weekends where you can walk through as see a blacksmith at work, or talk to someone going about the daily life of a century ago.  The Park also features a working historic carousel that you can ride and the Butterfly House.  During the summer the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce sponsors concerts in the park.  Families come out and sit on blankets on the grass (or bring their lawn chairs), children run and play, wonderful music is played and for those who are willing, a dance floor is set up.

The area also has lots of shopping opportunities at Chesterfield Mall (located at 270 and the Clarkson/Olive exchange) and at numerous strip malls and mega strip malls throughout the city.  Fine Dining to fast food is readily available in the area.  The local standard is that you can drive down Olive Blvd and find whatever services you need without ever leaving the Chesterfield area (including my office which is located at 141 and Olive).

If you need medical care, St Luke's Hospital is located within the city's boundaries, but you are only a few miles away from other major hospitals in the metro area.

Chesterfield is home to the Spirit of St Louis Airport, which is located in the Chesterfield Valley area.  This small, personable airport is used by private planes, small transportation companies and company jets, relieving the burden on the main St Louis International/Lambert Field Airport.  The Spirit of St Louis Airport is the host to an annual St Louis County Air Show and Fair on the Labor Day weekend every year.  This event serves as the "county fair" for the area.  The proceeds from the fair benefit Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital.