RANK #656 / 996 · POP 298,018 · MO
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.2%
St. Louis, Missouri, often called the "Gateway to the West," is recognized by its iconic Gateway Arch, a 630-foot stainless steel monument. Situated on the eastern edge of Missouri, near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, the city offers a distinct community feel. Commuting within St. Louis is facilitated by MetroLink light-rail and MetroBus systems, with trains running frequently during peak hours. The city boasts over 100 parks, including the 1,300-acre Forest Park, which provides extensive bike trails, golf courses, and cultural institutions like the Saint Louis Zoo and Art Museum.
Life in St. Louis is characterized by affordability and a strong sense of community, often described as having a big-city feel with small-town charm. The economy is driven by sectors such as health sciences, transportation, logistics, and a growing technology presence, attracting remote workers and entrepreneurs. Major investments are flowing into commercial and residential development, energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing, contributing to the city's economic narrative. The St. Louis Public School system offers various options, including magnet schools with specialized curricula.
Well below national median
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 1.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Next NGA West Campus
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
|
$1,700M | Under Construction |
|
Big Hollow Energy Center (Natural Gas Plant & Battery Storage)
Ameren Missouri
|
$1,200M | Approved |
|
ICL Electric Battery Plant
ICL
|
$400M | Under Construction |
|
Downtown West Mixed-Use Development
Unknown
|
$232M | Under Construction |
|
FY2026-FY2030 Capital Improvements Plan (Transportation Infrastructure, Neighborhood Stabilization, Facility Improvements)
City of St. Louis
|
$220M | Planned |
|
Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital New Campus
Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
St. Louis city has a Boom Town Index score of 34/100, ranking #656 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.9% and a median household income of $52,941, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in St. Louis city is $174,100 with median rent at $938/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3041, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -1.6% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.9%. Home values changed +0.8% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.32% of St. Louis city's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.