Kansas City, with an estimated 521,220 people on July 1, 2025, ahead of St. Louis at 278,144, per Census Bureau estimates. Read on October 30, 2026.
By the It’s Missouri editorial team. Last reviewed October 30, 2026.
The Numbers
- The Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 city estimates give Kansas City 521,220 and St. Louis 278,144, with Springfield third at 169,847.
- St. Louis had 301,349 on the April 1, 2020 base, so the estimate is a decline; Kansas City had 508,012.
- The same release puts Missouri at 6,270,541.
More on Cities
Rent, home values and income for 38 cities are on the living pages.
More Missouri Guides
Sources
- Census Bureau: Vintage 2025 city and town estimates, Missouri
- Census Bureau: Vintage 2025 state estimates
Checked October 30, 2026 by It’s Missouri. Cite this page: It’s Missouri (https://itsmissouri.com/answers/what-is-the-largest-city-in-missouri/), checked October 30, 2026. Free to quote with a link.