Saint Louis, Missouri, unfolds along the west bank of the mighty Mississippi River. The skyline’s focal point is the gleaming Gateway Arch, a 630-foot stainless steel monument rising from downtown. The riverfront and bluffs add a majestic backdrop, and the city grid fans out from the River eastward. St. Louis feels both laid-back and bustling: there is a Midwestern warmth, but also an undercurrent of pride from its storied past as a western gateway and cultural hub. St. Louis straddles multiple identities – French colonial roots, German immigrants, and later an industrial and scientific boom – all felt in its architecture and neighborhoods.
Saint Louis is an independent city in Missouri (not part of any county). Its population has been around 300,000, but with recent slight decline; for example, it was 293,109 in 2023 (down from about 300,000 in 2020). The city is nearly evenly split between White and African American residents. As of 2023, about 44.4% of Saint Louis citizens are White (non-Hispanic) and 42.9% are Black (non-Hispanic). Other groups include 5% Hispanic and a few percent Asian and multiracial. The median household income is modest (roughly $48,000), reflecting the city’s mix of working-class and professional areas.
Economically, the St. Louis region is significant. The Gross Domestic Product of Greater St. Louis was about $209.9 billion in 2022. The local economy is diverse: it has long been strong in services, manufacturing, trade and transportation, as well as aerospace and defense. Major sectors include healthcare, finance, biosciences, and corporate services. Saint Louis is home to 16 Fortune 1000 companies (six of them Fortune 500). Notable corporate presences include Boeing Defense (aerospace), Enterprise Holdings (car rentals), and financial firms like Edward Jones and Ameren. Additionally, government and federal jobs are large (the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and USDA have big offices here).
Saint Louis sits in the U.S. Midwest (North America) at a broad bend of the Mississippi River near its confluence with the Missouri River. It is in Eastern Missouri, roughly at the center of the North American continent. The city itself lies largely on a plain at about 400 feet elevation, with bluffs (the “Mississippi Hills”) to the south. The climate is humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa): summers are very hot and humid, winters are chilly to cold. Rain is fairly evenly distributed through spring and summer, with occasional snow in winter. The Mississippi carries spring flood water, which has historically influenced the city’s development.
Saint Louis was founded on February 15, 1764 by French fur traders Pierre Laclède and Auguste Chouteau, on land the Spanish (then co-controlling) had leased to Laclède. They named it in honor of King Louis IX of France. Earlier, Native Mississippian cultures had thrived here, and the French explorers Louis Joliet and Jacques Marquette passed through in 1673. Saint Louis passed from French to Spanish control in 1763, then back to France, and finally to the United States with the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. It quickly became the gateway to the west: the Lewis & Clark Expedition started here in 1804. Growth boomed in the 19th century with steamboat traffic, railroads, and the 1904 World’s Fair and Summer Olympics (“Louisiana Purchase Exposition”) which put the city on the world stage.
A defining turn came in 1877 when St. Louis voted to separate from surrounding St. Louis County and become an independent city; this capped the city boundaries and limited further annexation, shaping its modern size. Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, the city was a manufacturing and transportation hub, known as a “gateway city.” It also became a major cultural center – for example, it was home to ragtime composer Scott Joplin and early jazz musicians. In modern times, St. Louis had its share of boom-and-bust cycles (industrial decline mid-20th century, followed by focus on biotech and service industries). Key landmarks remain from its history, like the iconic Arch (built 1963–65) and preserved historic neighborhoods.
Saint Louis reflects a blend of Midwestern friendliness and cosmopolitan flair. Culturally, it has a strong German heritage (Oktoberfest celebrations in the Soulard district) and also French colonial roots. The city is home to a large African-American community, contributing to vibrant music (jazz/blues history) and food (barbecue is a local specialty). Spanish and Vietnamese communities add more layers of culture. Notably, St. Louis has been rated one of the most LGBTQ-friendly cities in the Midwest, with lively Pride celebrations and an open attitude among many residents.
Dialect-wise, English is spoken by virtually everyone, with some families of immigrant background also speaking Spanish, Vietnamese, Bosnian, etc. The pace of life is generally moderate; residents might enjoy strolling in Forest Park, attending local festivals, or cheering on Cardinals baseball. Outdoor life is embraced: aside from Forest Park, nearby Missouri riverfront trails and the Katy Trail draw nature lovers. As one city guide highlights, St. Louis offers year-round cultural events, from outdoor concerts to parades. For instance, signature events such as Soulard Mardi Gras, PrideFest, and music festivals enliven the city’s calendar. The locals’ style is often unpretentious – you will see people enjoying beers at breweries, dining in cozy taverns, or attending cultural fairs. Overall, the city projects a warm, neighborhood-based atmosphere: each area (like the Old North St. Louis or Central West End) has its own character.
Top Attractions:
Gateway Arch – The centerpiece of St. Louis. This 630-foot stainless steel arch crowns Downtown and is part of the Gateway Arch National Park. Visitors can take a tram to the top and view the river, city, and beyond. The grounds and museum at its base chronicle westward expansion. The Arch is the city’s symbol and a must-see.
Missouri Botanical Garden – One of the oldest botanical gardens in the U.S. and world-renowned for its horticultural displays. Its setting includes Japanese gardens, a Climatron geodesic dome, and extensive greenhouses. A serene place in the City Beautiful tradition, it offers plants and landscapes year-round.
Saint Louis Zoo – Located in Forest Park, this free-admission zoo consistently ranks among the nation’s best. It houses hundreds of species in thoughtfully designed habitats. Families flock here to see lions, bears, birds, reptiles and more (all without an entry fee). The zoo’s commitment to conservation and public education is notable.
Saint Louis Art Museum & Forest Park – The Art Museum (also in Forest Park) is a comprehensive collection ranging from Egyptian artifacts to Impressionist paintings. Adjacent are the Missouri History Museum and the Muny (an historic outdoor theater). Forest Park itself is huge (1,300 acres) and includes scenic lakes and trails. It was the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and remains a recreational focus.
City Museum – A one-of-a-kind attraction housed in a repurposed shoe factory. It is an adults-and-kids playground of tunnels, slides, and architectural oddities made from reclaimed materials. (Covering six football fields, it is “weirdly wonderful” and hugely popular with families and art lovers alike.)
Soulard Farmers Market and Historic Soulard District – The oldest farmers’ market west of the Mississippi, Soulard Market operates several days a week under an iron pavilion. The surrounding Soulard neighborhood (with red-brick townhouses) is known for its French and German traditions, historic architecture, and strong sense of community. It hosts Soulard Mardi Gras (one of the largest Mardi Gras parties in America) and year-round live music.
Other Landmarks – St. Louis has many other highlights: the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis (with its famed mosaic dome), the historic Laclede’s Landing riverfront district, the refurbished Union Station (with a hotel and Ferris wheel), and the Science Center (free with a domed OMNIMAX). Sports also draw visitors: see a Cardinals baseball game at Busch Stadium or a Blues hockey game at the Enterprise Center.
Practical Snapshot:
Getting There: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is the main airport, served by all major carriers with many daily flights nationwide. MetroLink light rail connects both airport terminals directly to downtown St. Louis (Station 1 in Terminal 1 and Station 2 in Terminal 2). Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner serves the city from both the airport (via bus/rail link) and downtown (Gateway Station). Major highways (I-70, I-64, I-55, I-44) converge here, making city access by car straightforward.
Getting Around: MetroLink light rail and MetroBus cover much of the city and county. A modern streetcar line loops downtown and through the Central West End. Rental cars, taxis and rideshares (Uber/Lyft) are widely available. Downtown St. Louis and nearby neighborhoods are fairly walkable, though suburbs require driving. Traffic is typical of a midsize city; parking in popular areas (Downtown, Forest Park) can be limited at peak times.
Basic Tips: Currency is the U.S. dollar. English is universal, with Spanish spoken by many (especially in west and south St. Louis). Etiquette: Midwestern politeness reigns (people tend to greet with a nod or handshake). Tipping ~15–18% in restaurants is customary. As in any city, stay aware of surroundings; some urban neighborhoods are best avoided at night. Generally speaking, Saint Louisans are friendly and straightforward.
Currency
Founded
Calling code
Population
Area
Official language
Elevation
Time zone
