ORLANDO, February 22, 2018 – Cushman & Wakefield has released its 2018 Florida Population Reports, which detail projected population growth statewide and in nine major markets 
throughout Florida. The overall report predicts that Florida’s population will increase by just over 450,000 people in 2018, as compared to 430,000 in 2017.
In the next five years, the state’s population is expected to increase from 21 million to 23.3 million.
Of the markets examined, the Fort Myers MSA will see the greatest change in year-over-year population growth, while Miami is expected to see the smallest change. Tampa ranks as the largest MSA in the state, and Orlando boasts the lowest unemployment rate.
“Florida’s population grew significantly in 2017, aided by continued net migration from northern and high-tax states,” said Chris Owen, Cushman & Wakefield’s Florida Research Manager. “In addition, thousands of Puerto Rico residents also migrated to the state after Hurricane Maria. Whether the majority of them stay or ultimately go back to the island will depend on reconstruction efforts and any boost to economic activity.”
Cushman & Wakefield’s Florida Market Leader, Larry Richey, added: “As an expanding consumer market, Florida benefits from recent population increases that will in turn continue to support new construction and development in commercial real estate. We see overall fundamentals improving, which will be enhanced by the pace of net migration both from out-of-state and Puerto Rico. These new residents will also alleviate some of the pressure on already tight labor markets.”
An overview of the Population Report for each market Cushman & Wakefield analyzed is below (in descending order of projected growth rates):
1. Fort Myers: Population is expected to increase by 3.6 percent, from 748,000 to 775,200, year over year. This market is projected to see the most significant change in population of those examined, fueled by favorable demographic trends and lower costs compared to South Florida.
2. Orlando: Population is expected to increase by 3.2 percent, from 2.4 million to 2.52 million year over year. This growth is bolstered by strong job creation, as Orlando adds 1,000 new jobs a week and has an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent — the lowest in the state.
3. Palm Beach: Population is expected to increase by 2.8 percent, from 1.4 million to 1.52 million year over year. The Palm Bach MSA has seen a growth rate of 3.1 percent annually over a 10-year period.
4. Indian River: Population is expected to increase by 2.7 percent, from 148,000 to 159,700 year over year. Large-scale residential communities in this East Coast MSA were popular in 2017, with a significant number of homes in the planning and construction stages.
5. Lakeland: Population is expected to increase by 2 percent, from 677,270 to 689,600 year over year. Lakeland’s central location between the high-growth markets of Tampa and Orlando puts it in the middle of 8.6 million people within in a 100-mile radius. Average home values will remain the lowest in the Lakeland market at $194,910.
6. Jacksonville: Population is expected to increase by 1.9 percent, from 1.5 million to 1.6 million year over year. Strengthened by new tourists, military spending and infrastructure, Jacksonville is expected to outperform the state and the country in terms of growth over the next several years.
7. Broward County: Population is expected to increase by 1.8 percent, from 1.89 million to 1.98 million year over year. Broward County’s high quality of life, marked by a broad scope of opportunities, positions it for continued expansion.
8. Tampa: Population is expected to increase by 1.8 percent, from 3 million to 3.14 million year over year. Tampa is the largest MSA in the state and the 18th largest nationwide. With an increasingly business-friendly environment, further growth is anticipated as Tampa continues to attract companies from around the country.
9. Miami: Population is expected to increase by 1.4 percent, from 2.7 million to nearly 2.8 million year over year. The Miami MSA is projected to see the least growth of the markets examined. Average home values will remain the highest in the state at $345,130.
Read the full reports here.
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