For the first time in its history, Florida's population has exceeded 23 million residents, largely driven by the influx of people from other states. According to estimates released earlier this month by the State's Demographic Estimation Conference, Florida had 23,002,597 residents at the beginning of April this year, reported the Associated Press (AP).
Surpassed only by the 39.5 million residents in California and the 30.5 million inhabitants in Texas, Florida is the third most populous state in the United States. In 2023, the state added nearly 359,000 new residents and has been adding between 350,000 and 375,000 people annually during this decade, according to the estimates. The population growth is expected to peak this year and decline each subsequent year for the rest of the 2020s, AP specified.
"By the early 2030s, Florida's growth rate will be less than 1%, after reaching the projected 1.6% this year," the study noted.
The study also indicated that, in early 2020 before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, migration from other parts of the United States and abroad was the primary source of population growth in Florida. "Deaths have outpaced births in Florida since late 2019 and early 2020, and this trend is expected to continue well into the next decade," AP noted.
The study also highlighted that nearly 10% of Florida's residents are 75 years old or older, a figure only surpassed by Puerto Rico among the states and territories of the United States. A significant portion of Cuban migration to the U.S. ends up residing in Florida.
The Cuban regime recently shared official data showing that the island's population has decreased by more than 10% over the past three years, with a substantial portion ending up on U.S. soil, specifically in Florida. The Deputy Chief of the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), Juan Carlos Alfonso Fraga, acknowledged to the parliamentarians that by the end of 2023, Cuba's "effective population" stood at 10,055,968 citizens, but by 2024, it is expected to be less than 10 million.
In 2022, Florida was the U.S. state with the highest population growth, according to official data. The annual population increase was 1.9%, resulting in a total resident population of 22,244,823, according to the official figure revealed by the U.S. Census Bureau. However, Miami-Dade reported a population decrease that same year for the first time since 1970, despite the county's efforts to become one of the most important commercial and financial centers in the country.
An analysis by the Brookings Institution's Census Bureau cited by The Wall Street Journal indicates that this territory in South Florida is driving away more people than it attracts, due in part to rising housing costs and a volatile job market. According to the report, Miami-Dade lost 79,535 people through net migration to other parts of Florida or other states between 2020 and 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions about Florida's Population Growth
As Florida's population continues to grow, many questions arise regarding the factors influencing this trend and its implications. Below are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What is driving the population growth in Florida?
The primary drivers of Florida's population growth are migration from other U.S. states and abroad. The state has been adding between 350,000 and 375,000 people annually during this decade.
How does Florida's population compare to other states?
Florida is the third most populous state in the United States, following California and Texas. California has 39.5 million residents, and Texas has 30.5 million.
What are the future projections for Florida's population growth?
Population growth in Florida is expected to peak this year and then decline each subsequent year for the rest of the 2020s. By the early 2030s, the growth rate is projected to be less than 1%.
What impact has the COVID-19 pandemic had on Florida's population growth?
Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, migration from other parts of the United States and abroad was the main source of population growth in Florida. The pandemic has influenced demographic trends, including an increase in deaths outpacing births since late 2019.