Florida's population surged during the real estate boom when job-hunters and retirees moved into the state. That growth fed on itself as newcomers generated demand for construction, retail and other services.
Then the housing market collapsed. Florida's growth hit a jarring speed bump.
The Population Studies Program makes population estimates for counties and all incorporated cities in Florida and population projections by age, sex, race and Hispanic origin for the state and each county. These estimates and projections are used for a wide variety of planning, budgeting, and analytical purposes by state and local government agencies, businesses, research analysts, the media, and members of the general public. The links shown below provide descriptions of the data and techniques used to produce these estimates and projections.
South Florida, which 40 years ago gave birth to senior citizen icons such as the early bird special and condo commando, is a retirement mecca no more, according to new Census statistics released Wednesday.
Broward County lost 4 percent of its 65-plus population between 2000 and 2010, the Census reported, while Palm Beach County gained a modest 9 percent.
An estimate of Florida’s population conducted by a UF research center was accurate within two tenths of a percent in comparison with the actual U.S. Census Bureau’s counts released for 2010.
The Bureau of Economic and Business Research, part of UF’s Warrington College of Business Administration, found Florida’s population to be 18,772,352, only a slight difference to the census’s count of 18,801,310 people.
Home sales may be a key reason why some estimates show the city grew this year, but not everyone agrees that more people moved in.
In April, the population jumped by 1,820 in the Cape compared to the year before - a 1.1 percent increase. That was after it declined 1.8 percent two years ago, according to University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research estimates.
Real estate agents say growth is happening because more homes are selling.
"The 1,800 growth in population is about 780 households," said broker Steve Koffman, Century 21 Sunbelt, Cape Coral.
BROOKSVILLE - The housing collapse has had a substantial effect on population growth in Hernando County and across Florida.
After all the years of planning and preparation for continued development, at least one local politician thinks Hernando is ready for the next boom.
County Commissioner Dave Russell said the slumping housing market might have dampened expectations for some, but he thinks significant year-to-year growth is still going to happen somewhere down the line.
