St. Charles County’s Rapid Growth Projected to Continue
As a lifelong resident in St. Charles County, I have witnessed some amazing growth over the past several decades, placing the County on the map as the fastest growing county in Missouri for more than 30 years, and among the top growth counties in the USA.
There is no sign of that growth letting up.
Why is that, you ask? St. Charles County’s 415,000+ residents enjoy a nationally recognized, award-winning quality of life just minutes from the international airport and a half-hour drive from downtown St. Louis, home of the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues. The communities of St. Charles County are consistently included on Money Magazine’s list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the US. St. Charles County enjoys Missouri’s second-lowest cost of living and is considered one of the most affordable large US cities in the U.S.
Factors that have contributed to this growth include a favorable business environment, quality of life, and expanding infrastructure. Here are some aspects of recent growth in St. Charles County:
Residential Development: The county has seen substantial residential development, with new housing subdivisions, apartment complexes, and condominiums being built to accommodate the growing population. This development has been supported by available land, relatively lower housing costs compared to neighboring areas, and demand for suburban living. In fact, St. Charles County accounts for approximately 40% of all new single-family housing permits issued every year in the St. Louis region.
The hottest growth corridor is along the Highway N corridor from Hwy 364/40 to Highway Z. Duckett Creek Sewer District is constructing the first phase of new sanitary sewer plant at Hopewell Road and Highway N that is serving as a catalyst for the development of several thousand new home sites. When fully built out, the sewer plant will service well over 20,000 new homes plus supporting commercial development.
Commercial and Industrial Expansion: For the third consecutive year, St. Charles County has set a new record for major development projects of 20,000 SF or higher.
In 2023, the County saw 7.2 million SF of major developments that opened or were in some stage of construction, a 12% increase over the previous record of 6.4 million SF set in 2022 and a 40% increase over 4.8 million SF, which was a record in 2021. Prior to 2021, annual totals typically hovered in the 3 to 4 million SF range.
This past year saw tremendous activity in the warehouse sector, driven by the development of 1.6 million SF in the Lakeside Logistics Center as speculative warehouse space. Another major project of note included Trane Technologies' 423,000 SF distribution center in the Premier 370 Business Park.
Education and Healthcare: The county is home to five AAA-rated school districts, two 4 year colleges (Lindenwood University and St. Charles Community College) as well as several award-winning hospital systems, all in a constant state of expansion to meet the needs of our growing population.
Infrastructure Improvements: Infrastructure development has been a priority to support the county's growth. Investments have been made in roadways, utilities, public transportation, and other essential infrastructure to accommodate increased traffic and ensure efficient connectivity.
The County's ½-cent transportation sales tax was first enacted by the voters in 1985 and has been reauthorized four times. Funds from this tax are used for road improvements that enhance the mobility and safety of our local roads. The sales tax generates approximately $30 million a year for road improvement projects, and cumulatively has provided over $1 billion in transportation improvements since 1985. This funding source has been instrumental in keeping pace with a vibrant county.
Economic Development Initiatives: The county government and local municipalities have implemented economic development initiatives to attract businesses, promote job creation, and stimulate investment in key sectors such as technology, healthcare, and manufacturing.
All signs point to a continuation of impressive growth for St. Charles County, Missouri. If you are considering a business expansion or relocation, be sure to check out all that St. Charles County has to offer.
Keith Schneider