ST. LOUIS -- New census data shows that while Missouri's population rose slightly last year compared to 2017, more than 50 counties lost population.
Data released Thursday shows estimated county populations as of July 1, 2018, compared to the previous year. Missouri overall saw its population rise 0.3% to an estimated 6,126,452.
But the Census Bureau says 52 of Missouri's 114 counties and the city of St. Louis lost population. Southeast Missouri in particular saw significant declines.
Pemiscot County lost 3.2% of its population, the biggest drop in the state. Dunklin County had a 2.2% decline, and Carter and Mississippi counties both lost 1.8% of their populations. Six other counties in the region had net losses.
The state's biggest gainer was Lincoln County in eastern Missouri, which saw a 2.8% increase in population.
NW News on 04/21/2019