City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

St. Louis, MO

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for St. Louis - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

293,109
Residents
$55,279
Median income
$185,100
Median home
$1,218
Median rent (state)

St. Louis - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, St. Louis places in the 28th percentile for household income and the 1st percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

28th
percentile, household income
38th
percentile, home value
38th
percentile, median rent
1st
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: St. Louis, MO

Missouri's St. Louis is a mid-sized U.S. city, with 293,109 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. St. Louis households earn a median of $55,279 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.8%. Home values in St. Louis run a median of $185,100, and the median resident age is 36.6 years. 40.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 63.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 294 residential building permits were authorized in St. Louis (Slowing), down 23% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. St. Louis's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 7074.0 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Missouri run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Missouri scores 90.8 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,218 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Missouri's average monthly utility costs around $219 (state average). The average commute for St. Louis workers runs 18.9 minutes, with 66.6% driving alone and 15.0% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 98.7 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

293,109 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$55,279 /yr

Poverty 13.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does St. Louis compare to other US cities?

St. Louis measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 28% higher than other cities
Home value 38% pricier than other cities
Median rent 38% pricier than other cities
Safety 1% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just Missouri and the picture shifts: St. Louis ranks #228 of 234 Missouri cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below St. Louis's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Missouri, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

28thIncome percentile
1stSafety percentile

28th percentile nationally for median household income · 1st percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

St. Louis's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

St. Louis's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 30 Avg. percentile National median
St. Louis's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How St. Louis's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$185,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 62% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. St. Louis $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - St. Louis, MO St. Louis, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not St. Louis, MO-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution St. Louis, MO median $55,279/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
St. Louis, MO's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for St. Louis, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 40.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
293,109
Median Income
$55,279
Median Home Value
$185,100
Median Age
36.6
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Labor force participation
63.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
40.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
7074.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1367.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
5706.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
39
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
270,000 residents280,000 residents290,000 residents300,000 residents310,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 300,302 residents 278,144 residents ▼ -7.4%
St. Louis's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
294
housing units authorized
Single-Family
56
detached homes
Multifamily
238
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 381
2020 422
2021 955
2022 1,176
2023 278
2024 294

Permit volume decreased 23% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.9 minutes
Drive Alone
66.6%
Carpool
6.7%
Public Transit
5.2%
Walk
4.0%
Work from Home
15.0%
Other
2.5%

Based on 151,056 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Missouri - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$72
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$219
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Missouri state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Missouri state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county St. Louis sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,218/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.7 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Springfield
169,432 people
Columbia
127,200 people
Independence
121,944 people
Lee's Summit
102,583 people
O'Fallon
92,697 people
Kansas City
508,233 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to St. Louis's 293,109 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lincoln, NE
291,932 people
Jersey City, NJ
289,691 people
Anchorage, AK
289,069 people
Durham, NC
288,465 people
Greensboro, NC
298,564 people
Plano, TX
287,339 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to St. Louis's $55,279 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hancock, MI
$55,278 median income
Avery, TX
$55,278 median income
Rockland, ME
$55,276 median income
Youngsville, PA
$55,282 median income
Burlington, IA
$55,274 median income
Slippery Rock, PA
$55,272 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - St. Louis, MO Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition St. Louis, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 45.7% 43.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.1% White 45.7% Black or African American 43.1% Asian 3.4% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.6% Two or more races 5.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How St. Louis compares to nearby Missouri cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
St. Louis (this city) 293,109 $55,279
Springfield 169,432 $45,984
Columbia 127,200 $64,488
Independence 121,944 $59,480
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about St. Louis, MO?

What is the population of St. Louis, MO? +

St. Louis, MO has a population of 293,109 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in St. Louis, MO? +

The median household income in St. Louis is $55,279 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in St. Louis? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for St. Louis; the closest available measure is the Missouri state average, a cost of living index of 90.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Missouri vary by metro area.

Is St. Louis, MO safe? +

St. Louis has a total crime rate of 7074.0 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in St. Louis, MO? +

A typical home in St. Louis is worth $185,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.