Average in Hazelwood: White, Working, Married Parents Who Own Their Home

What does it mean to be “the average family” in the ?

According to our sources, the average Hazelwood family includes two married adults and at least one child. The adults are homeowners and are both most likely employed in technology, sales or administration.

The average family is also Caucasian and owns its home, where it has lived for a year or more. Both parents have graduated from high school, and one could have a bachelor’s degree or higher, especially since the parents are over the age of 25.  

With an income of about $52,000, the Hazelwood family can usually pay most of its bills, but unexpected expenses can wreak havoc on the family budget, and they might live paycheck-to-paycheck.

How did we determine this? 

We can't make this stuff up. The "average" Hazelwood family was determined by simple analysis of statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the City of Hazelwood and the Missouri Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis.

Breaking Down the Numbers

According to the U. S. Census, there were 25,695 people living in the city last year—a few less than in 2010. Twenty-three percent of those folks are kids under the age of 18, including 6.2 percent under the age of 5. People over 65 make up just 12.4 percent of the population in comparison.

Women make up 53 percent of the Hazelwood population, 64 percent of which is white. Just more than 30 percent of Hazelwood residents are black, and the other approximately six percent is made up of other races, including American Indian and Alaskan Natives, Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders. A small percentage of residents report being of mixed heritage and just 3 percent are Hispanic.

The average Hazelwood family seems to be somewhat stable, given that more than 86 percent report living in the same home for one year or more. Less than four percent report being born outside of the United States, and just 5.9 percent say they speak a language other than English at home.

More than 90 percent have graduated from high school, but less than 24 percent have achieved a bachelor’s degree or higher. Among those over 25, the City of Hazelwood reports, that number is closer to 40 percent.

Hazelwood residents average a 22-minute commute time to work and nearly 63 percent can be counted among homeowners. Less than 33 percent live in apartments or condos, and the median value of owner-occupied homes is about $128,900.

There are, on average, 2.3 people in each household, and the median household income is about $52,000. Less than 10 percent of residents are living below the poverty level—although this number is up by about 4 percent since 2009.

The City of Hazelwood reports that the median age among residents is about 36 years old, slightly younger than the almost 40-year-old average St. Louis County resident.

The Missouri Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis reports that about 64 percent of households are made up of families, and nearly 80 percent of those are married couples—32 percent of which have their own children. Single moms make up about 8.2 percent of heads of households—and about half of the single females living in town.

The majority of households have at least two members working, nearly 40 percent in the technical, sales and administrative support positions. Nearly 30 percent work in management and professional or specialty occupations.

But how many families are really "average" anyway? Not as many as you'd think. Let's paint a more accurate portrait of real Hazelwood families, shall we?

I've added a photo of my family to the mix, and now it's your turn.

Click the "upload photos and videos" button and show the community what your real Hazelwood family looks like!

What do you think about these statistics? Do they really represent the average Hazelwood family? How does your household stack up against these numbers? Share your thoughts and observations in the comments section, below, and add your family's photo to our collection!