Recent issues
Missouri Economy Indicators, Vol. 6, Issue 8: Urban and Rural Business Churn – June 23, 2025 (PDF)
As of May 2025, Missouri recorded more than 11,000 new business applications from employers likely to hire workers, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Application data indicates intent to start a business, but actual openings and closures provide a more complete view of business survival. New businesses open each year, but a comparable number of older firms often close. The U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Dynamics Statistics data provides insights into business entries and exits, known as business churn, across Missouri.
Missouri Economy Indicators, Vol. 6, Issue 7: Energy Investment Trends– May 12, 2025 (PDF)
Missouri utilities are increasing electricity generation to meet rising energy demands fueled by data center growth and extreme weather events. Renewable energy projects represent 97% of planned generation capacity with grid connection agreements in place. More than half of proposed energy investments involve large-scale solar installations, and one in three projects include battery storage to improve grid stability.
Vol. 6, Issue 6: Population Trends - April 21, 2025 (PDF)
Missouri’s 2024 population of 6.25 million makes it the 19th most populous state in the U.S. Between 2020 and 2024, the state added over 90,000 residents — a 1.5% increase. Metro counties experienced a 1.6% growth rate, while nonmetro counties grew by 1.1%. The population growth was driven entirely by migration, with 101,152 new residents arriving from other domestic or international locations. During the same period, the state saw a natural population decline (births minus deaths) of more than 11,000 people.