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While host Elaine Cha enjoys some time away, I’m stepping in to share my take on one of this week’s shows.

When Ness Sandoval talks, I listen. Earlier this year, the St. Louis University sociologist and demographer noted that new U.S. Census estimates showed St. Louis with the steepest population decline among major U.S. cities. From 2020 to 2024, the city lost nearly 21,700 residents — a 7% drop — leaving about 280,000 people.

Sandoval ties the loss to two main factors: housing not designed for families and serious issues with St. Louis Public Schools, which Missouri’s state auditor said just last week is on a “path to bankruptcy.” This spring, St. Louisans responded to the district’s struggles by voting in three new school board members, signaling a community desire for change.

Sandoval joins St. Louis on the Air on Tuesday to dig deeper. Ahead of the show, we asked on social media: What keeps you in St. Louis? Why did you move here?

The responses are thoughtful, passionate and, in some cases, conflicted. St. Louis booster and STL Stylehouse co-owner Randy Vines put it this way:

“St. Louis is one of the great legacy cities of the USA and is authentically cool without even trying. There is more history, character, and soul in STL's pinky finger than most other cities combined. St. Louis oozes potential from every crevice. … Of course, St. Louis is often its own worst enemy, exhaustingly steeped in layers upon layers of generational baggage, and the city could write the book on urban strife.”

Numbers tell part of St. Louis’ story, but comments like Randy’s reveal the mix of pride and frustration that many feel. I share his sentiment: despite its challenges, this city still oozes potential. And as Sandoval reminds us, St. Louis remains the principal city in our metropolitan area: “We cannot, as a region, ignore St. Louis and say that it's not our problem.”

Thanks for reading,