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Florida's population surge remains ongoing, fueled by an influx of individuals from other U.S. regions. However, state economists predict a gradual slowdown in growth in the coming years, attributing it to the aging demographics of groups that have been major contributors to the state's population surge.
According to a report from the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research released last month, Florida's estimated population in April reached 22,634,867, indicating a substantial increase of nearly 359,000 people, or 1.61%, compared to the previous year.
The surge is particularly attributed to a record number of individuals relocating to Florida from other parts of the U.S., marking an all-time high, as mentioned by Stefan Rayer, the population program director at the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research. Rayer emphasized that despite being slightly higher than the previous year, the long-term average growth, which has hovered just under 300,000, reflects remarkable strength.
Projected Growth Slowdown
However, population projections for the years leading up to 2028 suggest an imminent deceleration in growth. The anticipated rates are 1.51% in the next year, 1.37% in 2025, 1.3% in 2026, 1.24% in 2027, and 1.18% in 2028. Despite the slowdown in the rate, the state is still projected to witness an average annual increase of approximately 300,000 people during this period.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo highlighted this ongoing growth in a memo to senators, noting that the state is expected to gain almost 300,000 new residents each year over the next five years, equivalent to adding a city slightly smaller than Orlando, but larger than St. Petersburg annually.
This article is based on a report from the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, emphasizing the dynamic nature of Florida's population growth and its anticipated trajectory.