Mayor's Welcome

Welcome to University City, Missouri

I would like to welcome you to the website for University City, Missouri. Whether you are a resident looking for information about your home town, are considering a move to University City, thinking about a visit, or are just interested in learning more about a great Missouri community, I welcome you.

We are a city of about 35,000 residents, an inner-ring suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. University City has survived much change and turmoil over the past one hundred and ten years to become what it is today – a city of diversity, learning, and culture. We are committed to a tradition of strong community; progressive leadership; and a desire to be a model community for this region and the nation.

From our founding in 1906 by the charismatic visionary Edward Gardner Lewis, to today, residents have worked to build a community that welcomes everyone. We have a racially diverse population. We are the home to churches and synagogues that cover the breadth of religious thought and beliefs

University City residents range across the socio-economic scale from top to bottom. They live in homes ranging from modest bungalows to historic mansions, from single to multi-family, to apartment complexes and large senior retirement centers. Whatever your housing need, we can fill it in University City.

We have a strong history of volunteerism in University City. Our homes are surrounded by community gardens, installed by the volunteers of U City in Bloom and maintained by local residents committed to making this community the most beautiful in the St. Louis region. Other residents volunteer on a whole range of Boards and Commissions, where they serve in an Advisory Capacity to the City Council. Dozens serve in the University City Citizen Volunteer Corps, or in dozens of not-for-profit organizations working for the betterment of our community.

The people of University City and the whole St. Louis region take advantage of a wide range of shops and restaurants found in thriving commercial districts. We are home to the well-known University City Loop, and the Olive Boulevard shopping district that attracts those interested in shopping with an international bent as well as dozens of ethnic restaurants. You can find just about anything you need at one of the hundreds of businesses throughout our community.

We have a Council - Manager form of government in University City. Our City Council is composed of seven members – six elected from the three city wards (two per ward) and a Mayor who is elected citywide. Our government is housed in the historic City Hall, which was built in 1903/04. Designed by Herbert C. Chivers, the five-story octagonal building originally housed the Lewis Publishing Company. The cornerstone was laid on August 29, 1903 by David. R. Francis, the President of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. We would love to give you a tour of one of the most beautiful city halls in the world. If you wish to know more about our history, please visit this link.

So, take some time. Check out our website. And if you have any questions, or comments, let me know. I would love to hear from you - please feel free to email me at or contact me at mayor@ucitymo.org or (314) 505-8606.

Mayor Terry Crow