St. Louis Gets Smart: Central City Has Highest Percent Increase of Young Educated Residents in US

Thousands of smart people are moving to the City of St. Louis. In fact, over the past 10 years, the city experienced the largest percentage increase in college-educated 25-34-year-olds moving to with three miles of the central business district of any city in the nation. Nearly 2,700 people in St. Louis fit that description, an increase of 87% over the past decade. It's a narrative that adds nuance to the exodus of more than 29,000 residents, including nearly 20,000 children, during the same time period.

Where are these people moving? Within three miles of the St. Louis CBD are 11 of the 14 (of 79 total) city neighborhoods that saw population growth from 2000-2010. These include Downtown, Downtown West, Soulard, Old North St. Louis, Lafayette Square, Midtown and others, some of the metro area's most historic, livable neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are clearly a draw. There is however, a very, very simple explanation for the increase: Missouri State Historic Tax Credits.