x
Breaking News
More () »

City of St. Louis wanted 'thousands' of new residents. Instead they keep leaving.

St. Louis residents continue to leave the city in large numbers.

ST. LOUIS — In fall 2022, St. Louis' development agency was crafting a new economic plan.

Central to the document, called an "economic justice action plan," was the spurring of reinvestment through "thousands of new residents moving to the City by 2030."

The plan called for boosting areas of the city with the most need, primarily north, including through investments of federal money.

Instead, city residents continue to leave in large numbers.

The city for the year ended July 1, 2023, lost 4,439 residents, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated, ending at 281,754. The region lost 3,200 residents and was surpassed for population by Charlotte and Orlando, with St. Louis County losing 3,732 residents.

The city's 2023 loss was less than in 2022 (-6,732) and 2021 (-7,173). The city lost 93 residents in 2020, 2,843 in 2019, 4,814 in 2018 and 4,400 in 2017. It had some 856,000 at a 1950 peak.

Click here to read the full story from the St. Louis Business Journal.

To watch 5 On Your Side broadcasts or reports 24/7, 5 On Your Side is always streaming on5+. Download for free onRoku,Amazon Fire TV or the Apple TV App Store.

Before You Leave, Check This Out