(KTRS) – The St. Louis region is among the slowest growing large metropolitan areas in the nation.

According to US Census estimates, the St. Louis region–which includes 15 counties– saw a population increase of about 5,400 people, about two-tenths of a percent, last year. That is a faster rate than only Chicago and Detroit. The Post-Dispatch reports that the largest gains in the region are in St. Charles County and other so-called exurbs–areas past the suburbs.

The report also notes that many people are still moving from the region, but births are responsible for the overall increase.