More people are dying here than are being born

The St. Louis region's declining population is getting serious. The entire metro area is now number one for decline in birth rates according to SLU demographer Ness Sandoval.

He says in 20 years, "Schools will ask the question: Where are the children?"

He says this is an historic decline, but the trend actually began in 2008. The only way to reverse it is to convince young people to move here and start families. But despite "affordability," here's the other problem: "We're no longer a major metropolitan region in terms of new housing starts. We're ranked 58th in the country. Every major region is outperforming our region."

In other words, neighbors need to be open to building more homes.

Most new builds lately are of apartments, which families with kids don't really want. Sandoval says the decline in babies born is being seen regionwide, including in St. Charles County, which used to be known as where the young families flocked to.

Listen to the entire interview with Sandoval here.