RANK #672 / 996 NAT · #17 / 22 MO · POP 298,018
1YR FORECAST: +0.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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.
At 32/100, St. Louis city faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $52,941 combined with job growth of -0.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in St. Louis city is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $174,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $938/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
St. Louis city is losing population (-1.6% YoY) while the job market is essentially flat (-0.9% employment change). Home values are +0.8% over the past 12 months. A slow-bleed pattern — not a collapse, but residents are leaving faster than employers are hiring.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.32% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests St. Louis city has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.