St. Louis City Registers Over 21,000 Resident Loss Since 2020 Amid Broader Metro Area Shifts

St. Louis, MO – St. Louis City has experienced a significant population decline, losing an estimated 21,700 residents between 2020 and 2024, marking one of the steepest drops among U.S. cities. This trend highlights a complex demographic shift within the broader St. Louis metropolitan area, where population dynamics can be easily misinterpreted. As R. Taylor Raborn noted in a recent tweet, "This specific graph is quite misleading because St. Louis’ combined statistical area (CSA) is around 3 million. Many of those people represented in the graph just moved from St. Louis City to St. Louis County!"

The unique governmental structure of St. Louis contributes to this statistical nuance. St. Louis City separated from St. Louis County in 1877, becoming an independent city with fixed political boundaries that prevent it from annexing surrounding suburban growth. While the city proper's population stood at 301,578 in 2020 and is estimated at 279,695 in 2024, the larger St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) boasts a population of over 2.8 million, and the Combined Statistical Area (CSA) is nearly 3 million, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

The city's population loss is primarily driven by a combination of "natural decrease," where deaths outpace births, and significant domestic out-migration. Families often relocate from the city in search of perceived safer neighborhoods, better schools, and more spacious, higher-quality homes available in the suburbs. Issues with city services and persistent crime concerns further motivate residents, including Black and white families, to move to neighboring St. Louis County or St. Charles County.

Conversely, the surrounding counties, particularly St. Charles and Jefferson, have seen substantial growth. St. Charles County, for instance, added over 44,000 residents between 2010 and 2020, becoming Missouri's third-largest county. This suburban expansion often occurs at the direct expense of the urban core, as residents move within the metropolitan region rather than leaving it entirely. The overall St. Louis metropolitan area has maintained modest growth, adding over 6,000 people in the last year, demonstrating a redistribution of population rather than a regional exodus.

In response to these challenges, St. Louis City officials are actively pursuing strategies to revitalize the urban core and attract new residents. Initiatives include efforts to welcome more international migrants, with targets of attracting 2,000 new immigrants in 2025 and 15,000 by 2030. Additionally, the city is exploring zoning reforms to encourage housing diversity and density, aiming to foster family-oriented developments and reverse the long-standing trend of population decline.