What are the largest metro areas in Missouri?
St. Louis, MO-IL is the largest metro area in Missouri, with 2,814,421 residents in 2025 (Census PEP). Kansas City, MO-KS (2,270,682) and Springfield, MO (500,694) come next.
Data as of 2025 · updated
All 8 ranked Missouri metro areas
| Rank | Metro area | Residents 2025 | Change 2020–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis, MO-IL | 2,814,421 | −0.2% |
| 2 | Kansas City, MO-KS | 2,270,682 | +3.4% |
| 3 | Springfield, MO | 500,694 | +5.1% |
| 4 | Columbia, MO | 219,062 | +3.9% |
| 5 | Joplin, MO-KS | 208,796 | +3.9% |
| 6 | Jefferson City, MO | 152,712 | +2.2% |
| 7 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | 119,170 | −2.0% |
| 8 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | 99,215 | +1.7% |
How this is ranked
The Census Bureau's July 1 resident population estimates for 2025, largest first, with the change since 2020. Only metropolitan statistical areas of two or more counties are ranked (OMB Bulletin 23-01): a one-county area's figures are its county's, and micro areas are left out. An area that crosses a state line is ranked in each of its states. Areas without an estimate for the same year as the others are not ranked.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built.
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Questions
What is the largest metro area in Missouri?
St. Louis, MO-IL is the largest metro area in Missouri, with 2,814,421 residents in 2025 (Census PEP). Kansas City, MO-KS (2,270,682) and Springfield, MO (500,694) come next.
How is this ranking calculated?
The Census Bureau's July 1 resident population estimates for 2025, largest first, with the change since 2020. Only metropolitan statistical areas of two or more counties are ranked (OMB Bulletin 23-01): a one-county area's figures are its county's, and micro areas are left out. An area that crosses a state line is ranked in each of its states. Areas without an estimate for the same year as the others are not ranked.