The article presents a sociological analysis of the state of modern student youth in Khabarovsk. The scientists investigated: the ideas of student youth about the city of Khabarovsk and living conditions in it; peculiarities of youth leisure; basic problems of life; education, employment and professional development; migratory moods of young people; youth assessments of youth policy.The results of the study showed that the main problem of realizing youth potential in the city and the region is the high migration outflow of young people, which is based on the problem of young people seeing the prospects for their development, confidence in their future. The high cost of living, decent wages, the danger of being unemployed, the quality and accessibility of medicine, the improvement of the territory of residence, the housing problem, youth leisure - these problems worries young people very much today. At the same time, one of the main requests of student youth for the development of youth leisure is associated with personal development, the development of intellectual leisure. Interesting educational formats, forums, trainings, seminars, speakers are in great demand today among young people. But, of course, the development of creative directions, entertainment events, places for sports and cultural recreation is also important. A special youth demand is the development of youth entrepreneurship. All this, ultimately, should fill the municipal and regional youth development programs.