Demographers forecast growth in Missouri 2030 population
Reflecting increased longevity and the size of the boomer generation, demographers forecast that the aging cohort will account for one-fifth of the state population by 2030. Migration is expected to drive fast-growing metropolitan areas: over the next 20 years, for instance, St. Charles County will gain 145,000 in-migrants as well as an additional 70,000 through natural increase. St. Louis County will continue to decline somewhat through out-migration, although it will be the most populous county, followed by Jackson (Kansas City). Metropolitan areas with college towns (Springfield and Columbia) will experience sustained growth. Read the complete report here.

For county information, visit the Missouri Census Data Center for American Community Survey Profiles and new population pyramids.

Prison Population, Expenditures Rise
While the Pew Center on the States reports that one in 100 Americans is imprisoned, the rate in Missouri is one in 250 citizens. How does Missouri compare to neighboring states? OSEDA analyzes Missouri’s prison system, focusing on demographics, costs and related trends here.

Beyond Missouri

Policy Matters 2008 -- State Policy Data Report
Twenty State Policies to Create Bright Futures for America's Children, Families and Communities

Policy Matters reports on key evidence-based policy measures for the 50 states, and tracks recent policy changes affecting families and communities. Authors at the Center for the Study of Social Policy have issued new data on income, employment, health and child welfare. Download the Full Report (132-page Adobe Acrobat file), or download by policy area.

Demand persists for middle-skill workers
Demand for middle-skill workers will “likely remain quite robust relative to its supply,” according to a new report from the Workforce Alliance, “America’s Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs.” Citing Bureau of Labor Statistics projections, the alliance reports that about 45 percent of all job openings between 2004 and 2014 will be in middle-skill occupations. Health technician openings, for instance, have more than doubled, from about 400,000 in 1986 to over 1 million jobs. Read the report "here.