The Top Florida Cities Where People Are Looking to Move Are Among the US’s Fastest-Growing

Florida, home to over 22.6 million people as per the 2023 Census, is not just the third most populous state in the US but also one of the fastest growing. The state’s population is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 1.25% between 2023 and 2030, significantly outpacing the national average of 0.43%.

Florida’s population boom isn’t new. In the 1950s, the state experienced an impressive growth rate of 6.1%, even hitting 8% during 1956-57. Though the rate slowed after the baby boom, Florida still saw an annual average growth of 3% from 1960 to 1989.

The trend continued into the 2000s with a “slow” rate of 1.7% per year, and from 2010 to 2020, it varied between 1% and 2%. Between 2021 and 2022, Florida reached a growth rate of 1.9%, reclaiming its title as the fastest-growing state in the US.

This growth is mainly fueled by net migration. From 2020 to 2023, despite having more deaths than births, Florida welcomed nearly 1.1 million new residents.

Employment opportunities and personal income growth are major attractions. Personal income in the state grew by 10.3% in 2020-21, 6.6% in 2021-22, and 7.9% in 2022-23. The Economic and Demographic Research (EDR) projects that wage growth will stabilize at 4.7% by 2028-29.

Key players in Florida’s economy include Adecco Group AG, AutoNation Inc,

and Chewy Inc. Adecco Group is investing in AI training for its workers through a partnership with Microsoft. AutoNation has introduced a new micro-leasing program for residents, offering flexible vehicle leases of 6-12 months. Chewy Inc. is expanding into the veterinary care sector, planning to open new practices in 2024.

Here are the 10 fastest-growing cities in Florida based on population growth from 2020 to 2022:

10. Lakeland

  • Population Growth: 5.14%
  • Population: Over 120,000
  • Labor Force Participation Rate: 55.1%
  • Poverty Rate: 14.1%

9. Palm Bay

  • Population Growth: 7.02%
  • Owner-Occupied Housing Rate: 79.9%
  • Median Housing Value: $226,000
  • Median Household Income: $62,538

8. Daytona Beach

  • Population Growth: 7.29%
  • High School Graduation Rate: 89.8%
  • Bachelor’s Degree Attainment Rate: 24.8%
  • Per Capita Retail Sales: $31,000

7. St. Cloud

  • Population Growth: 7.86%
  • Homeownership Rate: 71.0%
  • Median Home Value: $289,000
  • Educational Attainment: 91.1% high school diploma or higher, 25.8% bachelor’s degrees or higher

6. Winter Haven

  • Population Growth: 8.04%
  • Population: Over 55,000
  • Diversity: 53.2% White, 25.7% Black or African American, 2.4% Asian, 21.3% Hispanic or Latino
  • Technology Adoption: 92.1% of households own a computer, 82.1% have broadband internet subscriptions

To read about the top 5 fastest-growing cities in Florida, continue with our detailed analysis based on the latest US Census Bureau data.

Florida’s growth is part of a larger trend in the southern US, driven by significant migration. This trend is expected to continue, thanks to the state’s economic opportunities and high quality of life.

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