St. Louis' population has grown more slowly in recent years than many of the nation's 40 biggest metro areas.

 

Region                2008 pop.          Change '00-'08

 

1. Las Vegas            1.87 million         35.6%

2. Austin, Texas       1.65 million          32.2%

3. Phoenix                4.28 million         31.7%

4. Charlotte              1.7 million           28%

5. Atlanta                  5.38 million        26.6%

30. St. Louis              2.82 million         4.4%

36. Philadelphia         5.8 million           2.7%

37. Providence, R.I.   1.6 million            0.9%

38. Detroit                 4.43 million         -0.6%

39. Cleveland            2.09 million         -2.8%

40. Pittsburgh           2.35 million          -3.3%

Average 9.8%

 

SOURCE: Census Bureau