5th most populous of 115
With 279,695 residents in 2024, St. Louis city ranks 5th by population among Missouri's 115 counties and is home to 4.5% of the state's residents.
St. Louis city is home to 279,695 people (2024 estimate) on 62 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
279,695
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
301,371
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−7.2%
2020–2024
Land area
62 mi²
160 km²
Population density
4,531.7 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
3,136
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
2,963
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+173
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
−3,229
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$66,606
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$40.4 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$56,160
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
20.6%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
41.1%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
7.1%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$197,500
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.2%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024279,695▼ 19%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 279,695 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 319,294 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 347,144 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | −19.4% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +2,403 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −5,632 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 11.2 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 10.6 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Missouri | 5th of 115 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $66,606 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $40.4 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $56,160 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 20.6% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 41.1% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 7.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $197,500 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $997/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 36.8 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 144,891 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 45.3% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
St. Louis city in context
Comparable indicators for St. Louis city, Missouri and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Missouri | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −7.2% | +1.5% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 11.2 | 10.8 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 10.6 | 10.6 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | -11.5 | 5.7 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 4531.7 | 90.8 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $66,606 | $64,920 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $56,160 | $70,702 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 20.6% | 12.6% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 41.1% | 32.4% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 7.1% | 4.5% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $197,500 | $230,300 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $997/month | $1,033/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 36.8 years | 39.0 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 45.3% | 68.1% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
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Did you know? St. Louis city
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 347,144 in 2000 to 279,695 in 2024, a change of −19.4%, compared with +11.4% for Missouri as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 3,136 births and 2,963 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 173.
Peak population in 2000
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 347,144 in 2000. The 2024 figure is 67,449 lower.
1st in density
St. Louis city has about 4531.7 residents per square mile of land, ranking 1st of 115 counties; Missouri averages 90.8.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $56,160 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 76th of 115 Missouri counties; the state median is $70,702.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $40.4 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 3rd largest among 115 Missouri counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 0.5% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS