Black Jack, Missouri

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Black Jack is a town in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States. The population was 6,792 at the 2000 census. Its name comes from a grove of Blackjack oak trees that grew by the riverbank in its current location.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Family controversy
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Black Jack is located at 38°47′27″N, 90°15′43″W (38.790799, -90.261885)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.9 km² (2.7 mi²). 6.9 km² (2.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.37% is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 6,792 people, 2,422 households, and 1,789 families residing in the city. The population density was 985.9/km² (2,553.3/mi²). There were 2,587 housing units at an average density of 375.5/km² (972.5/mi²). 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.

[edit] 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 defines a family as

An individual; or
Two (2) or more persons related by blood, marriage or adoption; or
A group of not more than three (3) 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, 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, 2006, the Black Jack city council unanimously passed a resolution changing the definition of family to include an unmarried couple and their children.
CNN: Town won't let unmarried parents live together
City of Black Jack Press Releases of March 26, 2006, May 16, 2006, and August 16, 2006
ACLU of Eastern Missouri Press Release, Complaint to city (PDF), and Petition to court (PDF)