Florida Population Growing Again...

For decades, Florida was in a growth mode that averaged adding over well over 125,000 people a year. We were here to witness 2003 to 2006 when Florida’s population grew by more than 400,000 per year, and in the previous three decades increases averaged about 300,000 per year!

With over 1000 people moving to Florida a day, it made sense that all the construction was needed to house all these people heading our way... after all, we had decided to make the move here and knew many others who were making plans to do so. There was a building crane on every corner and we often stated the the "crane" was our national emblem! What a shock to see all that fall apart.

The economy was deteriorating rapidly, jobs shriveled and unemployment skyrocketed.... all at the same time of increased insurance costs and property taxes. By 2007, the growth trend had reversed and between 2008 and 2009, Florida actually LOST just under 57,000 in its population! What a dramatic change to send property values into a downward spiral.

And yes, there is a glimmer of hope... according to UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, Florida actually reversed the trend again and ADDED 21,000 residents between 2009 and 2010! Not enough to make up for the prior year's loss, but definitely a step in the right direction.