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St. Louis County's population is growing older more rapidly than it is growing larger. Seniors are a sizable and expanding segment of the county population-especially older seniors. Also, there are important population differences among the many communities within the county-some areas are declining while others are rapidly growing. Moreover, the senior population varies somewhat differently by area than the overall population.

Narrative

• St. Louis County's population increased by 2.3 percent during the 1990's exceeding a million people by 2000. At the same time the senior (65 and older) population grew by 10.5 percent to over 143,500 persons. While seniors represent about 13 percent of the nation and 13.5 percent of Missouri, St. Louis County seniors are 14.1 percent of the county population-Table 1.
• Population change reflects the combined influences of natural increase (the number of births and deaths) and net migration. Since the 1970s St Louis County has experienced negative net migration. During the 1990s nearly 21,500 more persons moved out of St. Louis County than moved into the county. The slight gain in population resulted because there were 44,296 more births than deaths. However, natural increase has declined over the past few decades reflecting an older population of residents who have completed their families and seen children leave home.
• Just over 18 percent of all Missourians live in St. Louis County and just under 19 percent of all Senior Missourians live in St. Louis County. In fact, the senior population of St. Louis County is larger than the total population of all but six other Missouri counties.
• There is considerable diversity within the county regarding population change and the characteristics of the senior population. For example, among 37 "Census Tract Neighborhood Areas" inside the county, the percent change in population over the decade ranged from an understandable 27 percent decline in the Berkeley/Airport Area to a noticeable 64 percent increase in the West Chesterfield Area. Indeed, the West Chesterfield Area accounted for more than half of the county's net population gain. Over the decade 22 areas declined in population while 15 increased in population (see Maps 1 and 2 and Table 2)
• Among the 37 tract areas the average total population is about 27,400 persons and the population distribution is fairly uniform (see Map 3). Area populations range in size from about 14,000 persons around Bridgeton (impacted downward by Lambert expansion) to over 40,000 persons around Mehlville and around Ballwin/Manchester (impacted upward by development in the south and west county) --Table 1.
• These 37 "Census Tract Neighborhood Areas" can be used to help understand the diversity of the senior population within the county. Census tracts are relatively small geographic areas whose boundaries are kept the same for each 10-year census. On average, tracts contain about 4,000 persons. Somewhat larger areas than tracts produce more stable estimates. Also, tracts grouped into larger areas represent recognizable places such as "Chesterfield" or "Jennings." Thus, a total of 37 such areas were created in 1990 for the county (see Map 4). They are used in this report to help understand differences among seniors within St. Louis County. These tract neighborhood areas are usually a little larger than a particular city and so they are labeled an area.

Maps

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Tables

Population Change and Percent Change by Age Group, 1990-2000

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Graphics

• Total Population, 2000
• Population Change, 1990-2000
• Percent Population Change, 1990-2000