Population Loss, Not Gain, For St. Louis

Last month I did a reader poll asking What Will St. Louis’ Population Be In The 2010 Census? The following week the poll results showed  optimism:

Q: The 2000 Census had St. Louis’ population at 348,189, the 2009 estimate at 356,587. Where will the 2010 count be?

1. More than 356,587: 82 [ 58.57%]
2. Between 348,189 and 356,587: 36 [25.71%]
3. Less than 348,198: 13 [9.29%]
4. who knows, will just have to wait for the results 7 [5%]
5. Other answer… 2 [1.43%]

I was in the #2 camp, thinking we had held steady.  Wrong!

The city of St. Louis lost nearly 29,000 people during the past decade, a decline of about 8 percent of its population. (Census: St. Louis Population down 8 Percent)

On the plus side, an 8% decline is less than 2000 (12.2%) 1990 (12.4%) and way less than 1980 (27.2%).  Still stings though.

As the numbers get examined in the coming weeks, months and years I think we will see much of the population loss occurred in the poorer tracts.  Past loses eroded the middle class – both black & white.  The 2010 Census didn’t collect economic data such as household income so analysis will be difficult.

We all need to remember the good things we have going on, the numerous walkable commercial districts, the renovated architecture, etc.  That didn’t change yesterday.  I love this city no less today than I did a week ago.

The population loss does affirm my belief that we need major restructuring at City Hall. Every employee, elected official, department, process needs to be evaluated. I don’t want to change the city charter, I want to replace it — start from scratch. We must do something different or in ten years I’ll be saying a 6% loss isn’t as bad.

– Steve Patterson

Disabled Get The Good Parking

A popular misconception is the disabled get primo parking.

Often we do, but other times the location of the wider space and ramp are far from the entrance.

– Steve Patterson

Readers Overwhelmingly Agree St. Louis County Has Too Many Municipalities

Despite what the St. Louis County Municipal League thinks, readers nearly unanimously feel St. Louis County’s 91 municipalities is too many.

Q: 91 Municipalities in St. Louis County Too Many, Too Few or Just Right?

1. Too many municipalities 168 [93.85%]
2. Too few municipalities 4 [2.23%]
3. Unsure/no opinion 3 [1.68%]
4. Just the right number of municipalities 2 [1.12%]
5. Other answer… 2 [1.12%]

I agree, way too many!  Some, like Uplands Park & St. George, are so tiny — too tiny to matter in the big picture.  Here are the other answers readers provided:

1. We need more government to keep black people out of St. Louis County
2. way too many municipalities

The reader who submitted the first other comment must have mistaken my blog for this site.

– Steve Patterson

6th Ward Debate Tonight: Kacie Starr Triplett and Bradford Kessler

Tonight 6th ward incumbent Kacie Starr Triplet will debate challenger Bradford Kessler at the monthly meeting to the Tower Grove East neighborhood association.

The meeting begins at 7pm at the Tower Grove Abbey, 2336 Tennessee Ave.  Questions can be submitted for the moderator to ask the two candidates.

TGE will also announce the winning design for new neighborhood banners.

– Steve Patterson

Did St. Louis Attract Young Whites?

St. Louis’ low cost of living excludes us from an emerging trend of the 2010 Census:

“The number of white children is growing in several large urban centers where the cost of living is high, a trend that runs counter to the decline in white youths in much of the USA.” (USA Today: Urban areas drawing young whites)

A demographer quoted in the article says expensive urban settings are “a new magnet for white families with children.” Young white families with children used to be an assumed for new suburban areas but increasingly these families are choosing urban over suburban living.

Census figures are showing population increases for Asian and Hispanics, thus lowering the percentage of whites overall, making the trend that much more remarkable in those cities.  My own anecdotal observations over the last decade shows a similar trend in St. Louis.

The City of St.Louis has much in common with the state, the percentage of persons of Hispanic or Latino origin, for example.  A look at the U.S. Census Quick Facts, however, shows various figures.

One thing is certain, demographers will pour over the 2010 figures for years — until 2021 when the 2020 Census figures are released.

– Steve Patterson