Missouri

St. Louis city

301,578
2020 population
1880
first census record
15
census records

About St. Louis city

St. Louis city, Missouri, first appears in the United States federal census in 1880, when it recorded a population of 350,518. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 301,578.

Its recorded population peaked at 856,796 in 1950, and has since declined by roughly 65 percent.

On the ground today, one documented military engagement has been recorded within the county, among them Action at St. Louis (Spanish Fort San Carlos), and 663 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020301,578
2010319,294
2000348,189
1990396,685
1980453,085
1970622,236
1960750,026
1950856,796
1940816,048
1930821,960
1920772,897
1910687,029
1900575,238
1890451,770
1880350,518
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in St. Louis city

Military engagements that took place in St. Louis city, Missouri.

Action at St. Louis (Spanish Fort San Carlos)
1780

Other counties in Missouri

Explore census history and historic records for more Missouri counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about St. Louis city County, Missouri

This page charts the census history of St. Louis city County, Missouri. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about St. Louis city

When does St. Louis city first appear in the US census?
St. Louis city, Missouri first appears in the federal census in 1880, with a recorded population of 350,518.
What is the population of St. Louis city?
At the most recent federal census (2020), St. Louis city had a recorded population of 301,578.
When did St. Louis city's population peak?
St. Louis city's recorded population peaked at 856,796 in 1950.
Were any battles fought in St. Louis city?
1 documented military engagement took place in St. Louis city, including Action at St. Louis (Spanish Fort San Carlos).
How many historic places are in St. Louis city?
663 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in St. Louis city, Missouri.
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