
About St. Louis
The City of St. Louis is located on the Mississippi River, the eastern boundary of the State of Missouri, just below its confluence with the Missouri River. The City occupies 61.74 square miles of land and its area has remained constant since 1876. The City, a constitutional charter city not part of any county, is organized and exists under and pursuant to its Charter and the Constitution and laws of the State of Missouri.
The City is popularly known as the "Gateway of the West," due to its central location and historic role in the nation's westward expansion. Commemorating this role is the 630 foot stainless steel Gateway Arch, the world's tallest man made monument, which is the focal point of the 86 acre Jefferson National Expansion Memorial on the downtown riverfront.
While the City was originally incorporated as a town in 1809 and a city in 1823, the current City charter was adopted in 1923 by the electorate.
For more complete information including demographics and other relevant statistics from the City of St. Louis FY 2012 Annual Operating Plan, click here.
For more city and regional demographic and economic information from the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association website, click here.