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Founded in 1870, St. Louis was the fourth-largest U.S. city by 1970, buoyed by manufacturing and trade. Its population peaked at 856,000 but shrank to about 269,000 today—approximately 68.5% decline. Segregation, industrial decline, and suburbanization all contributed.
Despite challenges, areas like Forest Park remain vibrant, but in the core city, issues like crime have tarnished its reputation. St. Louis’s future depends on tackling these city-specific problems and revitalizing its neighborhoods.