Clayton is a city in and the county seat of St. Louis County, Missouri, United States,^[6] and borders the city of St. Louis. The population was 15,939 at the 2010 census.^[7] The city was organized in 1877 and is named after Ralph Clayton,^[8]who donated the land for the courthouse. The city is known for its multiple skyscrapers in its business district.

Clayton is governed via six member board of aldermen and a mayor. Aldermen are elected from one of three wards with each electing two members. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. A city clerk is appointed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen.^{[citation needed]}

The town has a police department headed by Kevin R. Murphy.<sup>[11]

Armstrong Teasdale, Caleres (owner of Famous Footwear and Shoes.com),[12]</sup> Centene, Enterprise Rent-a-Car,[13] Cassidy Turley, Olin,[14] and Straub’s Markets are headquartered in Clayton.[15]^[16] The unemployment rate in 2012 is 3.4%.^[10]
The city’s neighborhoods include Claverach Park, Clayton Gardens, Clayshire, DeMun, Davis Place, Hillcrest, Moorlands, Old Town, Tanglewood, Downtown Clayton, Polo, Wydown Forest, Wydown Terrace, Forsyth and Washington University.
Clayton’s downtown business district has numerous art galleries, boutiques, fine restaurants, and cafes with outdoor seating.^[17] The city hosts major cultural and culinary events such as the St. Louis Art Fair and the Taste of Clayton food festival.^[18]