St. Louis Leading Large Metros in Immigration

Of the 20 largest metropolitan areas in the country, St. Louis had the largest percentage increase in foreign-born immigrants between 2014 and 2015.

1 minute read

September 21, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


St. Louis

f11photo / Shutterstock

"St. Louis notched an 8.9 percent increase in foreign-born residents from 2014 to 2015, according to data released from the U.S. Census Bureau late last week," reports Sarah Kenske. "That's larger percent increase than any of the nation's other twenty largest metro areas."

Following in second place was Minneapolis-St. Paul. Seattle, San Diego, and Houston rounded out the top five, respectively.

Fenske explains the statistical details of how St. Louis achieved the largest percentage jump in the country (also offering a caveat, of sorts):

For St. Louis, the foreign-born gains reflect an increase of about 10,623 new residents. The region as a whole is home to 2.8 million residents; just 129,559 of them are foreign-born. So while our numerical gains weren't nearly as high as many other large cities, the percentage increase shows a very real jump.

Fenske shares perspective on the effort behind the data from the St. Louis Mossaic Project, which launched in 2013 to combat sluggish immigrant growth in the region. Although the numbers are small when considered in net, their impact was significant. In 2015, the immigrant influx kept the region's population from shrinking.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016 in St. Louis Riverfront Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Interior of Place Versailles mall in Montreal, Canada.

Montreal Mall to Become 6,000 Housing Units

Place Versailles will be transformed into a mixed-use complex over the next 25 years.

May 22, 2025 - CBC

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 28, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Rendering of California High-Speed Rail station with bullet train.

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself

The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

May 19, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Woman and man in orange safety vests and hard hats doing surveying work at road construction site.

DOJ Seeks to End USDOT Affirmative Action Program

The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program encouraged contracting with minority- and women-owned businesses in the transportation sector, where these groups are vastly underrepresented.

1 hour ago - The Washington Post

Aerial view of Missouri state capitol in Springfield, MO at golden hour.

A Missouri Tenant Union’s Fight Against Millennia Housing

In Springfield, Missouri, senior and disabled tenants at one Millennia affordable housing building say they’ve gone about a year without a working elevator, but their organizing has gotten the city to threaten receivership if it's not fixed soon.

2 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Chicago Transit

Time Running Out for Illinois Transit Bill

Chicago-area transit agencies face a daunting budget gap if lawmakers fail to agree on a funding bill by the end of the current legislative session.

3 hours ago - Streetsblog Chicago