St. Louis: Demographics & People
St. Louis's population stands at 288,512 people, in 144,891 households. Population shrank 1.6% from 293,109 (2022) to 288,512 (2024). Median age 36.8 years. (2.4y younger than Missouri). Children under 18 are 18% of the population. Population is 44% White (non-Hispanic) and 42% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.58). 42% of households are family-led. County is losing 13,473 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 37% adult obesity, 18% smoke.
- 2.0 people per household.
- 58% non-family households (singles, roommates).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 1.6% from 293,109 (2022) to 288,512 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~284,000 (extrapolated at -0.8%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 278,048.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 301,578 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -1.6% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 293,109 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 288,512 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | declining |
| Population | 288,512 people |
| Population Estimate | 278,048 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 36.8y is 2.1 years younger than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 18% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 36.8 years (vs Missouri 39.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 18.3% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Population under 18 | 52,870 |
| Median age | 36.8 years (vs Missouri 39.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 288,512 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.58 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 133,985 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 126,357 |
| Asian residents | 10,016 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 15,005 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 58.0% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 47.0% |
| Asian population | 3.5% |
| Black population | 42.1% |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 5.3% |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 44.4% |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.6% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 7% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 186,277 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 79,976 |
| Share born in this state | 64.6% |
| Share born in another state | 35.4% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 27.7% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.6% |
| Naturalized citizens | 7.1% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 18,879 |
| From Europe | 3,505 |
| From Asia | 131 |
| From Africa | 8,223 |
| From Latin America | 197 |
| Census Foreign Born · Caribbean | 201 |
| Census Foreign Born · South America | 10 |
Households & Family Composition
144,891 households. Averaging 2.0 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 42% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 60,848 families, 18% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 54,409 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 60,848 |
| Married couples with children | 10,764 |
| Single-parent households | 2,316 |
| Average household size | 1.96 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 12.8% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 5,069 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 1,925 |
| Family households | 60,511 households |
| Households that are families | 41.8% |
| Total households | 144,891 households |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 14.5% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 13,473 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 14.5% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 223,682 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 237,155 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -13,473 |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 21,983 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 7.5% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 10,329 residents live in group quarters (3.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 10,329 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 1 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 29,510 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 29 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 510 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | St Louis City |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 29.3% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 27.30 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 31.40 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 29,510 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | St. Louis city |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Large central metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 17,969 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 29,510 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | St. Louis city |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 78.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 63.9% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 50.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 300,576 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 41 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 18.3% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 288,512, declining, family-oriented, middle-class, white collar |
| Town Summary · Population | 288,512 people |
| Town Summary · County | St. Louis city |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade