Recently RedKey Realty Leaders convened business, academic, and civic leaders for the inaugural Elevating St. Louis: Strategies for Growing and Enhancing Our Region, a dynamic forum focused on housing, demographics, and long-term growth opportunities. The event, held at Vue 17, drew a diverse audience of professionals, policymakers, and community members eager to collaborate on St. Louis' future.

The discussion built on findings from a Washington University impact report (2022–2023), which analyzed local housing trends, demographic shifts, and regional migration patterns compared to peer Midwestern cities. Moderated by Jill Butler, CEO and Founder of RedKey Realty, and Nate Johnson, President of Real Estate Solutions at RedKey, the event featured expert insights from Dr. J.S. Onesimo "Ness" Sandoval of Saint Louis University and Suzanne Sierra, Executive Director of the St. Louis Mosaic Project.

Key Insights from the Event

Regional Growth Challenges

• St. Louis' population grew only 1.5% in the last decade, well below the national average of 5% and slower than peers like Minneapolis and Kansas City.
• Five major demographic hurdles were identified: natural population decline, fewer children being born, outmigration of young talent, lagging housing development, and reliance on international immigration for growth.
• Without proactive strategies, the region could lose up to 160,000 residents by 2035, shrinking below 2.5 million.

Housing & Affordability

• St. Louis remains more affordable than many metros (household income of $78K needed to buy a home vs. $108K nationally).
• However, the region faces a shortage of affordable housing units and ranks near the bottom nationally in housing starts.

Migration & Retention

• People move to St. Louis for larger or newer homes, career opportunities, and the city's cultural and culinary scene.
• Younger generations increasingly decide where to live before where to work, emphasizing lifestyle factors like bikeability, diversity, and vibrancy.
• St. Louis City is the gateway for newcomers (8,000 new residents annually), yet many leave after finding stronger integration efforts in peer cities.

Immigration as a Growth Driver

• The St. Louis Mosaic Project has helped the region achieve #1 immigrant population growth among the top 30 U.S. metros, with especially strong Latino population increases.
• Mosaic programs connect foreign-born professionals, students, and families to employers, mentors, and community resources.
• Sierra emphasized that immigration is both "morally right and economically smart," providing workforce solutions and cultural vibrancy.

Solutions & Call to Action

• Panelists stressed intentional collaboration between business, government, universities, and residents.
• Ideas included:
  • Expanding new housing development across the region.
  • Strengthening city efforts to welcome and engage newcomers.
  • Supporting immigrant integration through targeted resources and storytelling.
  • Promoting St. Louis' assets—such as affordability, cultural amenities, and green spaces—to young families and talent.
  • Participants were invited to contribute ideas, join a private Facebook group, and continue the conversation beyond the event.

Looking Ahead

RedKey plans to build on the momentum by hosting future events, with the next slated for 2026, focusing on the impact of arts, retail, and other sectors on regional vitality.

Quote from Jill Butler:

"RedKey has always been interested in regional growth trends—beyond just the housing market. I'm thrilled to bring this kind of strategic conversation to our region so we can continue to build together."

This incredible event was well attended and was a catalyst for ongoing discussion in the St. Louis region. Please visit RedKey on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to see photos and videos let us know if you would like to be added to the list to learn about the next Elevating St. Louis events!