By Tom Weber, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – New census data show Lincoln County, Mo. is now the fastest growing county in Missouri and the 70th fastest growing in the country. Lincoln's head count jumped 13.5% since April 2000.
But the actual population is still far below St. Louis City, and St. Charles, Jefferson, and St. Louis Counties.
St. Charles saw about a 10% increase. That works out to almost 28,000 more people in the past four years, which is the 70th biggest numerical increase in the country.
Population in St. Louis City has decreased almost 5% since 2000. St. Louis County also saw a slight decrease, but still has more than a million people.
| Population Shift in St. Louis Region: 2000-2003 | ||||
| County | July 1, 2003 est. | Apr. 1, 2000 Census | Total Change | Percent Change |
| St. Louis County | 1,013,123 | 1,016,300 | - 3,177 | - 0.3% |
| St. Louis City | 332,223 | 348,189 | - 15,966 | - 4.6% |
| St. Charles County | 311,531 | 283,893 | +27,638 | + 9.7% |
| Jefferson County | 206,786 | 198,099 | + 8,687 | + 4.4% |
| Franklin County | 96,905 | 93,807 | + 3,098 | + 3.3% |
| Lincoln County | 44,207 | 38,944 | + 5,263 | + 13.5% |