Florida Population Grows Even Though Domestic Migration was Negative

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For real estate investors, Florida's population growth trend is one of the most important annual statistcs. Earlier this year the University of Florida reported that the population actually shrank. Now the US Census Bureau says the population grew due international migrations and natural growth. The following excerpt summarizes the situation:

"In the year ending July 1, 2009, Florida became an out-bound state, with 32,000 more domestic residents leaving the state than moving here.

"But the Census Bureau report also revealed something less obvious: Florida's overall population growth is still among the biggest in the country.

"Boosted by an influx of 87,381 international immigrants and a natural increase of 58,169 as births over deaths, Florida's overall population rose by 114,091.

"That ranked Florida fifth nationally behind Texas, California, North Carolina and Georgia.

"Overall, Florida ranks as the fourth most populous state, with 18.5 million residents.

"Yet there was no discounting the impact of the Great Recession. From 1998 to 2006, Florida's annual growth rate was between 2 and 2.6 percent. Last year, it was around 0.6 percent."