Trendsights Newsletter

Census Releases 2024 County and Metro Population Estimates
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released 2024 population data for U.S. counties, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, and Puerto Rico. These estimates reflect population changes between July 1, 2020, and July 1, 2024. In Missouri, the population of Lincoln County grew the fastest between 2020 and 2024, increasing by 10.1 percent. Other counties with the fastest growth rates included Webster (7.8%), Warren (7.7%), Christian (7.6%), and Wright (7.1%). Dekalb County decreased by 14.8 percent, or 1,712 residents, during this time.
Commuting Profile: Southwest Region
Of the 94,751 workers employed in the Southwest Region in 2022, 70.1 percent commuted to work from within the region. The remainder (29.9%) commuted from homes outside of the region. More than 40 percent of the employees in the region commuted fewer than 10 miles to work, while 20.8 percent travel more than 50 miles. Click on the link above to learn more about where workers commute in the Southwest Region.
Real-Time Job Postings 1st Quarter 2025
In the first quarter of 2025, employers advertised for a wide variety of jobs in Missouri. Throughout the state, there were more than 188,000 online job postings from January 2025 to March 2025. Posted occupations included those that could be started with on-the-job or short-term training such as Home Health and Personal Aides and Customer Service Representatives, as well as those requiring additional credentials, such as Maintenance and Repair Workers or Software Developers. See the top posted occupations and employers with the most openings in this interactive regional dashboard.
Regional Commuting Profiles
Workforce Commuting Profiles provide demographic and industry highlights for area workers as well as commuting patterns showing how people travel in, out, and around a region for employment. Often workers leave their resident county for a job — to another county and sometimes another region, but at the end of the day their income is often spent closer to home. These profiles help tell this story and show the importance of economic and workforce planning regardless of geographic location.
2022 Economic Census: Exploring Industry Data by Geography
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released new economic data from the 2022 Economic Census, a primary source of information about the U.S. economy. The Geographic Area Statistics provide detailed industry data by geographic area, including states, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, counties, and places for employer businesses (those with paid employees) in the United States. Data include the number of firms, establishments, employees, sales, and annual and first quarter payroll. Use the link above to see the latest data for Missouri.
Fast Facts about STEM Careers
Careers in STEM and STEM-Related occupations are in demand and education is key to meeting that demand. Of the 196 STEM and STEM-Related occupations in Missouri, 192 require some level of postsecondary education beyond high school. Seven of the top 10 STEM occupations are related to computers and computer technology, like Software Developers and Computer User Support Specialists. These quick facts show the importance and opportunity around STEM occupations.
Online Job Postings: March
There were 62,330 new job postings in Missouri in March 2025, according to data from Lightcast™. This was higher than the 60,880 postings in February 2025. The St. Louis region had 1,660 manufacturing industry job postings in March 2025, followed by the Kansas City (840), Central (460), Ozark (280), North (230), and Southwest (170) regions. Click on the link above to view more job postings for Missouri and its regions.
STEM Occupations in Missouri
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and STEM-Related occupations are some of the most in-demand and highest paying jobs in Missouri. The need for such employees is projected to grow about one and a half times more than the average for all occupations. The projected growth rate for STEM and STEM-Related occupations from 2022-2032 is 12.6 percent, while the statewide average growth rate for all occupations is 4.3 percent. By 2032, the total employment for STEM and STEM-Related occupations is expected to be more than 437,222, an increase of over 49,000 jobs.
Career Pathways: Education
Career Pathways are groups of occupations within a career field. Occupations within a pathway share common skills, knowledge, and interests. Most employees in the Education sector interact with students and others daily, so effective communication individually and in groups is necessary. From Office Support to Instructors and Administrators, there are a variety of job opportunities in the Education sector. Click on the above link to learn more about these career pathways and opportunities.
February Job Postings 2024-2025 Comparison
Job postings decreased 3.2 percent from February 2024 to February 2025. In February 2025, there were 59,870 online job postings compared to 61,860 in February 2024. Online job postings for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing had the largest increase (20%), while Retail Salespersons had the largest decrease in online job postings (-24%).
Missouri Jobs by Education and Skill Levels
Missouri has a wide range of occupations that require various levels of education and skill. This report highlights the employment, job openings, and wages for occupations based on education and skill levels for the projection period of 2022 to 2032. Generally, occupations requiring lower education and skill levels produce the largest number of job opportunities, but occupations requiring higher education and skill levels have faster growth and higher wages. View projected growth and wage levels by education and training in this latest report.
U.S. Census Bureau Profile: Missouri
The U.S. Census Bureau provides quick profiles for the nation, states, metropolitan statistical areas, and counties. Find quick stats about people and populations, education levels, and employment and economic trends. Visit Missouri’s profile or search for other geographies in this easy, interactive format.
Federal Reserve Beige Book for February 2025
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis recently released the Eighth District Beige Book, which is a summary of economic conditions based on mostly qualitative information gathered within the district, including employment, wages, real estate, crop conditions, and banking conditions. According to the report, manufacturing activity has increased slightly, and found wages continued to increase at a moderate pace. Prices also continued to increase moderately; however, price increases were slightly above expectations. Throughout the District, businesses reported that increased labor and nonlabor costs were negatively impacting their profits. The outlook declined from slightly optimistic in the previous report to neutral for the current report. Support occupations are projected to have the most grade A and B openings in the region.
Missouri Business Index Rises
Missouri’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for February 2025 was 56.2, increasing 6.0 points from January’s level of 50.2. The Mid-America Region index climbed above growth neutral for only the fourth time since July 2024. Economists consider the index a key economic indicator. It measures such factors as new orders, production, supplier delivery times, backlogs, inventories, prices, employment, import orders, and exports. Typically, a score greater than 50 indicates an expansionary economy while a score below 50 forecasts a sluggish economy.
Career Summary: Southeast Region
The Southeast region is projected to have nearly 17,700 annual job openings through 2032. The majority (87%) of these openings are in A, B, and C grade occupations. In general, higher graded occupations have higher wages and growth rates. Grade A occupations earn an average wage that is 60 percent higher than the average wage for all occupations in the region. Healthcare Support occupations are projected to have the most grade A and B openings in the region.
National Pi Day
In 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.Res.224 officially designating March 14 as "National Pi Day," recognizing the date as an approximation of the mathematical constant Pi (3.14) and encouraging schools to celebrate the day with educational activities related to mathematics and Pi.
Career Pathway: Manufacturing
Career Pathways are groups of occupations within a career field that share common skills, knowledge, and interests. Manufacturing has industry-wide technical competencies that represent the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in this industry. Some of the skills needed for success in the industry include manufacturing process design, development, maintenance, repair, knowledge of and compliance with government regulations, as well as the ability to adapt and consider new ways of doing things. Possible pathways in manufacturing include roles in production, business operations and sales, and engineering and maintenance.
Occupational Handbook: Chemical Technicians
Chemical technicians conduct laboratory tests to help scientists analyze the properties of materials. Employment of chemical technicians in the U.S. is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. In Missouri, chemical technicians had an average annual wage of $57,160. To enter the occupation, employees typically need an associate degree or two years of postsecondary education in applied science or chemical technology.
Order Career Grade Posters
The Missouri Career Grades poster provides a quick look at occupations in the state with the top outlook through 2032. This easy reference can be used to help spark conversations about career opportunities with best outlook at a variety of education and training levels. The 24 x 36 inch poster can be used by any organization providing career planning or job seeker services. Order the poster for delivery, or download a flyer-sized version in English or Spanish.
Target Industry: Energy Solutions
The Energy Solutions industry includes production, services, professional, scientific, and technical services, as well as wholesale and other services sectors. Energy Solutions represents almost 5 percent of total private sector employment in Missouri, employing 122,193 workers across 7,794 establishments in 2023.
Census Data Gem: How to find key housing trends and demographics
The U.S. Census Bureau provides a wide variety of data that can provide valuable insights into a community’s housing economy. This Data Gem video explores how to find critical information on local housing markets, such as housing value, occupancy, tenure, heating sources, expenses, and renter demographics.
In-Demand Information Technology Skills
Information Technology (IT) occupations are some of the most in-demand occupations in Missouri. Computer and Mathematical occupations, developing, and support occupations employed more than 86,000 people at an average wage of $88,750 in 2023. Employment in IT occupations is projected to grow 15.5 percent from 2022 to 2032. In the last year, there were over 36,000 online job ads in Missouri for selected Computer and Mathematical occupations, and the majority of job ads request applicants who are proficient in various computer programming languages. Click on the link above to learn more about these skills needed for these in-demand occupations.
Annual 2024 Quarter Cost of Living
Missouri had the sixth lowest cost of living in the United States for 2024, tying with Arkansas. In general, the most expensive areas to live were Hawaii, Alaska, the Northeast, and the West Coast. The least expensive areas were the Midwest and Southern states. MERIC derives the cost of living index for each state by averaging the indices of participating cities and metropolitan areas in that state. Missouri’s cost of living index for 2024 was 88.7.
Valentine's Day Fun Facts
Cupid has inspired consumers to lavish affection and spoil their loved ones with candy, gifts, and flowers. Spending is projected to reach a record $27.5 billion on Valentine’s Day this year, up from last year’s $25.8 billion. Click on the link above to learn more Fun Facts about Valentine’s Day.