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Frequently asked questions

St. Louis, MO

St. Louis is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is located near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while its bi-state metropolitan area, which extends into Illinois, had an estimated population of over 2.8 million. It is the largest metropolitan area in Missouri and the second largest in Illinois. The city's combined statistical area (CSA) is the 20th largest in the United States.

The land that is now St. Louis had been occupied by Native American cultures for thousands of years before European settlement. The city was founded on February 14, 1764, by French fur traders Gilbert Antoine de St. Maxent, Pierre Laclède, and Auguste Chouteau. They named it for King Louis IX of France, and it quickly became the regional center of the French Illinois Country. In 1804, the United States acquired St. Louis as part of the Louisiana Purchase. In the 19th century, St. Louis developed as a major port on the Mississippi River; from 1870 until the 1920 census, it was the fourth-largest city in the country. It separated from St. Louis County in 1877, becoming an independent city and limiting its political boundaries. In 1904, it hosted the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the St. Louis World's Fair, and the Summer Olympics.

St. Louis is designated as one of 173 global cities by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network. The GDP of Greater St. Louis was $209.9 billion in 2022. St. Louis has a diverse economy with strengths in the service, manufacturing, trade, transportation, and aviation industries. It is home to fifteen Fortune 1000 companies, seven of which are also Fortune 500 companies. Federal agencies headquartered in the city or with significant operations there include the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.

Major research universities in Greater St. Louis include Washington University in St. Louis, Saint Louis University, and the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The Washington University Medical Center in the Central West End neighborhood hosts an agglomeration of medical and pharmaceutical institutions, including Barnes-Jewish Hospital. St. Louis has four professional sports teams: the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball, the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League, St. Louis City SC of Major League Soccer, and the St. Louis BattleHawks of the United Football League. Among the city's notable attractions are the 630-foot (192 m) Gateway Arch in Downtown St. Louis, the St. Louis Zoo, the Missouri Botanical Garden, the St. Louis Art Museum, and Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum.

St. Louis is located at 38°38′53″N 90°12′44″W. The city is built primarily on bluffs and terraces that rise 100–200 feet (30–61 m) above the western banks of the Mississippi River, just south of the Missouri-Mississippi confluence. Much of the area is a fertile and gently rolling prairie that features low hills and broad, shallow valleys. Both the Mississippi River and the Missouri River have cut large valleys with wide flood plains.

The St. Louis Geologic fault is exposed along the bluffs and was the source of several historic minor earthquakes; it is part of the St. Louis Anticline which has some petroleum and natural gas deposits outside of the city. St. Louis is also just north of the New Madrid Seismic Zone which in 1811–12 produced a series of earthquakes that are the largest known in the contiguous United States. Seismologists estimate a 90% probability of a magnitude 6.0 earthquake by 2040 and a 7-10% probability of a magnitude 8.0, such tremors could create significant damage across a large region of the central U.S. including St. Louis.

Near the southern boundary of the City of St. Louis (separating it from St. Louis County) is the River des Peres, virtually the only river or stream within the city limits that is not entirely underground. Most of River des Peres was either channelized or put underground in the 1920s and early 1930s. The lower section of the river was the site of some of the worst flooding of the Great Flood of 1993.

Near the central, western boundary of the city is Forest Park, the site of the 1904 World's Fair, the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of 1904, and the 1904 Summer Olympics, the first Olympic Games held in North America. At the time, St. Louis was the fourth most populous city in the United States. The Missouri River forms the northern border of St. Louis County, exclusive of a few areas where the river has changed its course. The Meramec River forms most of its southern border. To the east is the City and the Mississippi River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 171.3 km2 (66.2 mi2). 160.4 km2 (61.9 mi2) of it is land and 11.0 km2 (4.2 mi2 or 6.39%) of it is water.

St. Louis places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, catering to residents' well-being through various initiatives and facilities. The city is equipped with top-notch healthcare institutions, such as Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital, ensuring that residents have access to quality medical services. U-City Foot Massage provides relaxing foot treatments to ease tension. For targeted muscle therapy, Knot Magic Muscle Therapy is a top choice. Float STL - Midtown offers sensory deprivation float tanks for deep relaxation. At Sound Stone Massage Spa, you can experience unique sound-based massage therapies. Vitality Unlimited Spa offers a range of spa services designed to promote holistic wellness.

Top sites in St. Louis, MO are The Gateway Arch, City Museum, Missouri Botanical Garden, and St. Louis Zoo.

Population: 281,754 (2023). ZIP codes: 63101-63199. Area code: 314. Elevation: 466 feet (142 m). Area: 66.17 sq mi (171.39 km2).

FAQs

Is St. Louis, MO an expensive city?

The cost of living in Saint Louis, MO is 3% lower than the state average and 11% lower than the national average. Saint Louis, MO housing is 24% cheaper than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 1% pricier. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 9% less in Saint Louis, MO than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 9% less. Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 11% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 9% cheaper in Saint Louis, MO.

What is St. Louis, Missouri famous for?

St. Louis is a vibrant metropolis in the heartland of the USA, with its fiercely independent frontier-town roots, layered with Midwest modesty. Commonly referred to as the ‘Gateway to the West’, this eclectic city is famous for its iconic Gateway Arch, fiercely loyal sports fans, and blues music scene. Experience a St. Louis rite of passage by sipping on a Budweiser and attending a ball game at the storied Busch Stadium – it’s often the top of many people’s bucket list. You can also join the locals on a nice day at Forest Park, considered one of the nation’s greatest urban parks.

Is St. Louis, MO a good place to live?

In 2021 it was named one of the top 20 most fun cities in America by WalletHub. Whether it’s for the low cost of living, inexpensive housing, or amenities and entertainment, it appears that residents love St. Louis. Many have also said that it feels like a big city with a small-town charm. The city is rich in history, activities, and incredible outdoor spaces.

Sources

City of St. Louis

Wikipedia

Rentcafe

Hotels

Store Space

The Gateway Arch 

City Museum 

Missouri Botanical Garden 

St. Louis Zoo

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

St. Louis Children's Hospital,

U-City Foot Massage 

Knot Magic Muscle Therapy

Float STL - Midtown

At Sound Stone Massage Spa

Vitality Unlimited Spa

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.