St. Charles County continues to lead the region in growth, increasing by about 1.5 percent since 2013 to nearly 380,000 residents in 2014. Its increase of more than 5 percent since 2010 leads the region and ranks 5th in the state. That's according to the newest population estimates released by the U.S. Census.
The region as a whole — Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, St. Charles, St. Louis and Warren counties as well as St. Louis city in Missouri, and St. Clair and Madison counties in Illinois — grew slightly, but is still just over 2.6 million as it has been since 2010.
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In addition to overall population figures, the census breaks data down by age, sex, race and Hispanic/non-Hispanic.
According to the Census, nationwide, young people are becoming more diverse. The under-5 age group became "majority-minority" in 2014, meaning more than half belonged to a group other than non-Hispanic, single-race white.
In St. Louis, though, it's a different story.
While the city has been majority-minority for some time, the youngest age group is becoming more white. In 2010, those under age 20 who identified other than non-Hispanic, single-race whites made up nearly three quarters of that age group. In 2014 they make up less than 70 percent of their age group. The city as a whole is following this trend as well, with minorities making up about 56 percent of the population, down more than one percent since 2010.
In the region, the proportion of minorities among all age groups increased, with the largest jump — about 1.4 percent — by those in the 40-59 age group. As a whole, the region is about 26.9 percent minority.
