Last month I did a reader poll asking What Will St. Louis’ Population Be In The 2010 Census? The following week the poll results showedÂ optimism:

Q: The 2000 Census had St. Louisâ€™ population at 348,189, the 2009 estimate at 356,587. Where will the 2010 count be? More than 356,587: 82 [ 58.57%] Between 348,189 and 356,587: 36 [25.71%] Less than 348,198: 13 [9.29%] who knows, will just have to wait for the results 7 [5%] Other answerâ€¦ 2 [1.43%]

I was in the #2 camp, thinking we had held steady.Â Wrong!

The city of St. Louis lost nearly 29,000 people during the past decade, a decline of about 8 percent of its population. (Census: St. Louis Population down 8 Percent)



On the plus side, an 8% decline is less than 2000 (12.2%) 1990 (12.4%) and way less than 1980 (27.2%).Â Still stings though.

As the numbers get examined in the coming weeks, months and years I think we will see much of the population loss occurred in the poorer tracts.Â Past loses eroded the middle class – both black & white.Â The 2010 Census didn’t collect economic data such as household income so analysis will be difficult.

We all need to remember the good things we have going on, the numerous walkable commercial districts, the renovated architecture, etc.Â That didn’t change yesterday.Â I love this city no less today than I did a week ago.

The population loss does affirm my belief that we need major restructuring at City Hall. Every employee, elected official, department, process needs to be evaluated. I don’t want to change the city charter, I want to replace it — start from scratch. We must do something different or in ten years I’ll be saying a 6% loss isn’t as bad.

– Steve Patterson