Is St. Louis shrinking? For over a decade, the metro area’s population has stalled, now teetering on the brink of decline. A new regional plan is digging into the “root causes,” but some leaders argue we need to directly tackle population loss head-on. What’s the best path forward for the Gateway City?
St. Louis is at a critical juncture, facing persistent population stagnation that now threatens to tip into a definitive decline, prompting regional leaders to devise a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at revitalizing the metropolitan area. This pivotal initiative seeks to coordinate diverse efforts across governmental, non-profit, and private sectors to address the underlying issues impeding growth.
The East-West Gateway Council of Governments, comprised of key political figures from the St. Louis region, is spearheading this ambitious planning effort. While acknowledging the urgency of the issue, the council has opted for an approach that frames population loss as a “symptom” rather than the primary problem itself, preferring to delve into its fundamental drivers.
This strategic direction, however, contrasts with the fervent advocacy of local leaders and organizations, who have consistently called for a direct and explicit focus on reversing population decline as a stated regional priority. Many argue that an indirect approach risks diluting the urgency and effectiveness of the plan.
Executive Director Jim Wild articulated the council’s perspective, emphasizing that the strategic plan would prioritize “root causes of stagnant population growth and population decline.” This nuanced stance suggests an intention to tackle foundational challenges such as economic development, education, and infrastructure, which are believed to implicitly influence demographic trends.
A staff memo outlined several critical focus areas for the East-West Gateway plan, including “political leadership, economic development, education and workforce development, infrastructure, safety, quality of life and regional institutions.” These broad categories are intended to create a holistic framework for regional improvement, indirectly fostering an environment conducive to population retention and attraction.
Chip Casteel, a veteran public policy executive, and Joe Blanner, a lawyer, represent a growing chorus of voices urging a more explicit focus on population. They express concern that without a sharp, dedicated emphasis, the critical issue of demographic decline could become subsumed and less impactful within a broader, more generalized strategic document.
St. Louis city has grappled with significant population loss for decades, with residents often relocating to surrounding suburban counties. The entire region now confronts new demographic pressures, including a declining birthrate and shifts in immigration policies, which previously served as a crucial buffer against further losses.
Organizations like Greater St. Louis Inc. have long sounded the alarm about the region’s demographic challenges, highlighting the critical need to revitalize the urban core. The ripple effects of population loss are increasingly being felt by suburban interests, including the construction sector, underscoring the pervasive nature of this regional crisis.
