10 Surprising Cities Now Bigger Than St. Louis

Photo byTiffany CadeonUnsplash

St. Louis, MO. - According to the most recent U.S. Census estimates, the population of St. Louis is now 293,000, which is down from 301,000 at the 2020 Census.

And after decades of continuous population declines, it's hard for many to believe that St. Louis used to be one of America's largest cities.

But if you go as far back as 1870, St. Louis was actually bigger than Chicago. And at the time of the 1904 World's Fair, which was held in the city, St. Louis was America's 4th largest city after New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, respectively.

Even as late as the 1950s, St. Louis was the 10th largest city in the country with a population of over 850,000 residents. However, that would mark the city's highest population.

Since then, the city has continually lost residents--finally dipping below the 300,000 mark in 2021. At the same time many smaller cities throughout the country, places that never would have compared with the Gateway to the West when it was the 3rd, 4th, or even 10th largest city in the nation, now have larger populations than St. Louis.

In short, here are 10 surprising cities that you wouldn't expect to be bigger than St. Louis, according to the latest U.S. Census data.

1. Tulsa, OK

The latest census data puts Tulsa's population at around 413,000 people. That's around 120,000 more residents than live in St. Louis.

2. Wichita, KS

Kansas' largest city Wichita has over 100,000 more residents than the old Gateway to the West.

3. Lincoln NE

While many people might expect to see Omaha on this list, very few probably expected Lincoln. But Nebraska's capital and 2nd largest city has just surpassed St. Louis by about 1,000 people, according to the latest census estimates.

4. Cincinnati, OH

For many Cardinals' fans, Cincinnati Reds are their biggest rivals, save for the Chicago Cubs. However, with a population of nearly 310,000, Cincy is now larger than St. Louis.

5. St. Paul, MN

Minnesota's capital and Twin City of Minneapolis, St. Paul, has a population of just over 300,000. Placing it ahead of St. Louis by about 10,000 people.

6. Colorado Springs, CO

There was a time when Colorado Springs was smaller than Pueblo, CO. However, not only is The Springs Colorado's 2nd largest city, the home of Pikes Peak has far surpassed St. Louis in population. According to the lagest census numbers, Colorado Springs is knocking on the door of 480,000 residents.

7. Aurora, CO

Another surprising Colorado city on this list is the Denver suburb of Aurora. At nearly 390,000 residents, Aurora has almost 100,000 more people than St. Louis.

8. Greensboro, NC

Most people would probably expect to see Charlotte and Raleigh on this list. (Both of which are much larger than St. Louis). However, Greensboro, which had less than one-tenth the population of St. Louis in the 1950s, has just surpassed 300,000 residents.

9. Pittsburgh, PA

Along with the Gateway to the West, the Steel City has been losing population over the last several decades as well. Just not at the same pace. So, at this time, Pittsburgh, with a population of 300,000, is the bigger of the two cities.

10. Plano, TX

Finally, according to the latest census estimates, the Dallas suburb of Plano has just edged out St. Louis in 2024.

It should be noted that many St. Louisans don't go by the population of the city proper. Instead, they focus on the entire population of the Greater St. Louis area--2.7 million residents--when ranking their metro against other areas. And in that case, the St. Louis region is bigger than all of the other metros on this list, except for Minneapolis-St. Paul and Dallas.

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