Fastest growing cities in Florida
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in Florida using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. Miramar
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +21,014
--- #191 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 18.5%
--- #280 among cities in Florida, #6,001 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 134,721
--- #14 largest city in Florida, #214 largest city nationwide
#19. North Port
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +22,808
--- #169 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 43.9%
--- #113 among cities in Florida, #2,570 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 74,793
--- #45 largest city in Florida, #512 largest city nationwide
#18. Fort Myers
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +24,033
--- #152 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 38.5%
--- #128 among cities in Florida, #2,962 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 86,395
--- #34 largest city in Florida, #420 largest city nationwide
#17. University (Orange County)
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +24,102
--- #151 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 113.8%
--- #32 among cities in Florida, #731 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 45,284
--- #89 largest city in Florida, #960 largest city nationwide
#16. St. Cloud
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +25,222
--- #137 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 74.7%
--- #54 among cities in Florida, #1,293 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 58,964
--- #65 largest city in Florida, #710 largest city nationwide
#15. Wesley Chapel
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +25,557
--- #136 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 65.0%
--- #65 among cities in Florida, #1,581 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 64,866
--- #53 largest city in Florida, #623 largest city nationwide
#14. Homestead
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +25,647
--- #135 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 46.6%
--- #101 among cities in Florida, #2,394 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 80,737
--- #39 largest city in Florida, #459 largest city nationwide
#13. Westchester
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +27,667
--- #122 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 96.3%
--- #40 among cities in Florida, #891 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 56,384
--- #69 largest city in Florida, #749 largest city nationwide
#12. Lehigh Acres
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +29,850
--- #113 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 35.4%
--- #142 among cities in Florida, #3,233 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 114,287
--- #20 largest city in Florida, #272 largest city nationwide
#11. Four Corners
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +30,860
--- #105 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 120.9%
--- #29 among cities in Florida, #673 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 56,381
--- #70 largest city in Florida, #750 largest city nationwide
#10. Doral
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +34,726
--- #93 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 84.4%
--- #49 among cities in Florida, #1,097 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 75,874
--- #44 largest city in Florida, #505 largest city nationwide
#9. The Villages
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +38,736
--- #77 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 96.0%
--- #41 among cities in Florida, #897 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 79,077
--- #43 largest city in Florida, #476 largest city nationwide
#8. Riverview
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +42,068
--- #70 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 64.4%
--- #67 among cities in Florida, #1,610 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 107,396
--- #25 largest city in Florida, #301 largest city nationwide
#7. Cape Coral
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +44,229
--- #64 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 29.5%
--- #177 among cities in Florida, #3,902 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 194,016
--- #9 largest city in Florida, #134 largest city nationwide
#6. Horizon West
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +48,008
--- #55 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 475.7%
--- #6 among cities in Florida, #100 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 58,101
--- #67 largest city in Florida, #726 largest city nationwide
#5. Port St. Lucie
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +49,847
--- #52 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 32.2%
--- #161 among cities in Florida, #3,589 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 204,851
--- #7 largest city in Florida, #118 largest city nationwide
#4. Miami
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +50,783
--- #48 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 13.0%
--- #375 among cities in Florida, #7,656 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 442,241
--- #2 largest city in Florida, #43 largest city nationwide
#3. Tampa
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +51,632
--- #47 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 15.5%
--- #327 among cities in Florida, #6,819 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 384,959
--- #3 largest city in Florida, #52 largest city nationwide
#2. Orlando
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +73,866
--- #32 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 31.6%
--- #166 among cities in Florida, #3,638 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 307,573
--- #4 largest city in Florida, #67 largest city nationwide
#1. Jacksonville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +137,778
--- #9 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 17.0%
--- #301 among cities in Florida, #6,407 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 949,611
--- #1 largest city in Florida, #12 largest city nationwide
