In preparation for tomorrow’s State of the City speech, I asked the researchers to put together a snap-shot of our economy. Here are some interesting facts about the City of St. Louis:
CITY/DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES:
Seven of the ten largest regional law firms are located downtown.
Four of the top ten publicly owned companies in the metropolitan St. Louis area are located downtown.
Five of the region’s top ten architectural firms in the region are located downtown.
Four of the eight largest accounting firms in the region are located downtown.
Six of the nine largest hotels in the region are located downtown.
All of the region’s major league sports franchises are located downtown.
5% of Missouri’s businesses are located in the City.CITY/DOWNTOWN JOBS:
Approximately 225,000 jobs in City of St. Louis — 8.3% of all Missouri jobs.
Approximately 90,000 jobs in downtown St. Louis, with another 43,000 jobs in adjacent neighborhoods.
8,200 businesses in City of St. Louis — 5% of all Missouri businesses.
Average business size is 27 employees — 50% higher than St. Louis County.
City area only 61 square miles.WAGES:
Highest wage rate in region, and probably in Missouri $42,500 per year, compared to $40,800 in St. Louis County and $36,600 in St. Charles County (as of end of 2003).
City accounts for nearly 12% of Missouri’s wage base.POPULATION:
After five decades of population loss, City’s population stabilized in 2003 and is increasing in 2004 — current estimate is approximately 349,000.
This should challenge some of the stereotypes.
