VC Report Examines the Scale and Impact of 24,000 Vacancies Across St. Louis
Vacancy remains one of the biggest challenges facing St. Louis neighborhoods.
The 2026 report from the STL Vacancy Collaborative highlights the scale and cost of vacancy across the City of St. Louis:
Approximately 24,000 vacant parcels exist citywide, including:
• 9,000 vacant buildings
• 15,000 vacant lots
Vacancy is deeply concentrated:
84% of vacant parcels are located north of Delmar Boulevard
Ten neighborhoods account for nearly half of all vacant parcels in the City
Ownership matters:
The Land Reutilization Authority (LRA) owns approximately 9,400 vacant parcels (about 1,100 buildings and 8,300 lots)
• Nearly 90% of vacant buildings are privately owned by individuals, businesses, or other private entities
Vacancy also comes with a significant public cost:
• About $20M spent annually on direct vacant property services
• More than $9M in public safety and emergency response costs
• An estimated $310M in lost property value for residents
• Approximately $25M in lost annual real estate tax revenue
Vacancy is more than a housing issue. It impacts neighborhood stability, public resources, property values, and opportunities for families to build wealth.
