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Census: Florida Population Increase Hits Decade Low

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By NEIL JOHNSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 27, 2007

Updated: 12/27/2007 12:20 pm

Florida's population growth was slower in 2006 than for any year this decade, and for the first time since 2000, the state's population grew by fewer than 200,000 people, according to figures released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The state's population was 18,251,243 as of July 1, the new estimate shows – an increase of 193,735 people compared with July 1, 2006.

That amounts to a 1.1 percent increase, compared with 2.9 percent for the nation's fastest growing state: Nevada.

Since 2000, Florida's annual population increase has never fallen below 200,000 and dropped below 300,000 people only three times before – in 2001, 2003 and 2007, according to census figures.

On a percentage basis, Florida was the 19th fastest growing state in the country.

Of 10 Southeastern states, Florida fell in the middle of the pack for percentage growth.

Florida trailed Georgia, the fifth fastest growing state in the country; North Carolina, ranked sixth; South Carolina, ranked 10th; Tennessee, ranked 15th; and Louisiana, ranked 16th.

Georgia's growth outpaced Florida's in percentage and sheer numbers. Georgia's population increased by 202,670. Florida, however, still has about twice as many residents as Georgia.

Despite the lagging pace of growth, Florida remained the fourth fastest growing state in number of people, trailing Texas, California and Georgia.

North Carolina, with a population increase of 191,590, was a close fifth place behind Florida.

Some of Florida's slowing population growth could come from a drop in people moving to Florida from other states.

Florida led the nation from 2000 through 2007 in drawing residents from other states. In those years, nearly 1.3 million people moved to Florida from elsewhere in the country, more than the next two states — Arizona and Texas — combined.

But from 2006 to 2007, Florida ranked eighth in drawing residents from other states. Texas led the country, followed by North Carolina, Georgia and Arizona.

From July 1, 2006, through July 1 people moving from other countries added more to Florida's population than those migrating from inside the country. Nearly 5 percent of Florida's 193,000 new residents came from outside the United States, compared with 2 percent from inside the country.

A year before, more than 9 percent of Florida's 321,000 newcomers arrived from other states, and 5 percent were new international residents.

The change could be a shift in retirees choosing other states over Florida.

A study of Census data by a sociologist at the University of North Carolina-Asheville showed that Georgia attracted a larger surplus of people 60 and older during 2006 than did Florida.

The analysis of data by William Haas revealed three people 60 and older came to Georgia for every person who left the state. Florida attracted one person.

And efforts by other states to attract retirees may be showing up in the latest Census data.

Starting next year, Georgia will exempt the first $35,000 in retirement income from its income tax. Tennessee is helping communities with amenities attractive to retirees, and it sends representatives to retirement-related trade shows.

Last year, both states drew more newcomers from other states than did Florida.

But at least by percentage, the Southwest continues to be the leading region for growth.

Nevada, at 2.9 percent, returned to the top as the nation's fastest-growing state, with a total population of 2.56 million. Arizona, fastest-growing from 2005 through 2006, slipped to second place with a total population of 6.34 million people, or 2.8 percent.

Meanwhile, Louisiana began to rebound from its post-Hurricane Katrina population loss, gaining nearly 50,000 people from July 1, 2006, through July 1, for a total population of 4.3 million. The state lost 250,000 residents during the previous one-year period.

Texas gained more people than any other state. Its 2006-07 increase of 496,751 was ahead of runner-up California, which added 303,343.

California remains the most populous state, with about 36.5 million people.

Not all states grew during the year.

Michigan lost 0.3 percent of its population from July 1, 2006, through July 1, and Rhode Island's population dropped 0.4 percent. Ohio showed virtually no growth. The 3,404 increase in population was less than 0.1 percent.

The newest census data also switched the population ranking of Washington and Massachusetts. Massachusetts fell from the country's 13th most populous state to 14th, and Washington went from 14th to 13th.

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