St. Louis, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, St. Louis, Missouri had a total population of 288,512, the 2nd largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $56,160, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- St. Louis is the 2nd largest city in Missouri with a population of 288,512.
- 41.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Missouri.
St. Louis Quick Facts
How St. Louis Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 293,109 | 288,512 | -1.6% |
| Median household income | $55,279 | $56,160 | +1.6% |
| Median home value | $185,100 | $197,500 | +6.7% |
How St. Louis Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
St. Louis Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Cities Similar to St. Louis
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 169,954 | $49,311 | $177,700 | 31.4% | 18.4% |
| Kansas City | 510,612 | $69,166 | $242,900 | 38.4% | 14.6% |
| Columbia | 128,548 | $66,498 | $284,600 | 56.7% | 19.3% |
| Independence | 121,740 | $60,339 | $172,900 | 21.9% | 15.8% |
| Lee's Summit | 103,656 | $102,531 | $340,900 | 48.8% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
St. Louis is a major urban center located in Missouri. The total population is 288,512. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in St. Louis is 36.8 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in St. Louis is $56,160. This is 21% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.6%. This is 64% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 4.0%. The median home value is $197,500. Housing costs are 14% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 45.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
St. Louis is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 42.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (42.1% vs 10.9%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.5% vs 2.1%).
Education
41.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places St. Louis in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 27% higher than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.8%. Notably, 18.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for St. Louis, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of St. Louis, Missouri?
St. Louis, Missouri has a population of 288,512 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in St. Louis, MO?
The median household income in St. Louis is $56,160, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in St. Louis, MO?
The poverty rate in St. Louis is 20.6%. This means approximately 57,765 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of St. Louis, Missouri?
St. Louis's population is 44.4% White, 42.1% Black, 5.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in St. Louis, MO?
The median home value in St. Louis is $197,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is St. Louis, Missouri?
41.1% of adults (25+) in St. Louis hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 18.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.