Major Industries: Aviation, Biotech
Annual Growth Rate: 0.23%*
Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri, but following it close behind is St. Louis. With a current population of 293,792, the city reached its peak back in 1950 when over 857,000 residents called it home. That might explain why Judy Garland’s Meet Me In St. Louis was so popular when it was released in 1945.
The city has been steadily shrinking ever since, taking a big hit especially between 2012 and 2013 when over 100,000 people decided to move away from the metro area. According to St. Louis Public Radio, the quality of life in certain parts of the city is driving people away. Families want better schools and better homes.