Good morning, St. Louis. Today, we cover the region’s first-ever natural population decline, featuring insights from local leaders and what’s ahead as the East-West Gateway Council prepares to address this critical trend.

MAIN STORY

St. Louis Faces Population Decline

St. Louis regional leaders are sounding alarms over demographic trends as the metro area faces its first natural population decline in history, according to recent U.S. Census estimates for 2023. The East-West Gateway Council will discuss the region’s shrinking population and potential strategies at a retreat this week.

The St. Louis area, anchored by what was once a leading U.S. city, reported just over 2.8 million residents, gaining 6,400 people last year mainly due to international migration. Still, deaths outpaced births, and more people moved away than arrived. Experts note that current immigration levels may not offset long-term declines, especially as federal policies limit new arrivals. Business and civic leaders warn that fewer high school graduates and workers could follow if the trend is not reversed.

East-West Gateway may coordinate a regional plan, with support from large employers and public organizations urging swift action.

AROUND TOWN

St. Louis honored its 2025 Top Workplaces at a celebration on June 18. More than 200 guests from large and small businesses gathered at 18Rails in the City Foundry to recognize top employers, with awards presented in leadership, direction, and communication categories. The event, hosted by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and Scott Credit Union, featured local sponsors and entertainment. At the same time, leaders like STL Post Media’s Kevin Hart emphasized the importance of workplace recognition. See the full photo gallery of the evening at the official event recap.

Due to declining enrollment, Danforth Elementary will close after the 2025-2026 school year. The Riverview Gardens School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to shutter the Bellefontaine Neighbors school, responding to demographic forecasts predicting a loss of 800 to 1,000 students over the next decade. Danforth currently enrolls 275, down from its 2002 peak of 545, and would require up to $3.5 million in upgrades. Additional district and regional school closures are expected amid broader enrollment declines. Read more here.

ALSO READ

St. Charles Food Truck Park Set for Launch

Developers announced that a new food truck park, Bench Racers, will open for select events in October before launching regular weekend hours next spring. The park will be located at 1801 N. Second St. in St. Charles' Frenchtown district.

Planned for a nearly 1-acre site at a renovated 1940s Texaco gas station, the venue will include a barbecue and beverage bar, live music stage, and a big screen for sports and movies. The community space is dog-friendly and aims to highlight local car culture. Find more details in this project update.

QUICK HITS

Millions of people across the Midwest and the East Coast are enduring dangerous conditions as the summer's first major heat wave continues. Temperatures are shattering records, and the threat is expected to last through at least midweek.

Kyndall Spain completed her senior season as All-Metro girls’ track and field athlete of the year, capturing state titles in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles and earning national recognition for Cardinal Ritter.

The People's Response Hub has been delivering emergency supplies to more than 7,000 north St. Louis tornado survivors since May 16. However, as daily delivery requests exceed capacity during the ongoing heat advisory, the hub is seeking more volunteers.

St. Louis City SC unveiled a mural at Anthonino’s Taverna on the Hill commemorating five local members of the 1950 U.S. World Cup team, 75 years after their historic upset of England.

Teleo Coffee in Kirkwood has earned a spot in St. Louis's "Ultimate Guide to Bagels" for its fresh, hand-rolled New York–style bagels, now made in-house alongside its specialty coffee.

GENERATING BUZZ

A recent community post strongly contrasts city life in St. Louis and suburban life in Wentzville, highlighting experiences of kindness in South City versus encounters with rudeness in Wentzville. The author, a Hispanic family member born in South City, described daily negative interactions since moving to Wentzville, a city of about 49,000 residents with an 87% White majority and a median household income of roughly $111,000. This account has sparked discussions about community dynamics, cultural differences, and neighborhood relations in these parts of the St. Louis metropolitan area. Check it out.

HISTORICAL LANDMARK

The Old Courthouse in St. Louis is a striking example of 19th-century federal architecture and is renowned for its pivotal role in the Dred Scott case, a landmark Supreme Court decision on slavery. Its historic dome and beautifully restored interiors offer a glimpse into the city’s legal and civic history. Learn more.