Florida Population 2018

21,312,211

Our current estimate for Florida's population in 2018 is 21.31 million. The most recent estimate was carried out in 2015 by the United States Census Bureau and it was estimated that the state’s population had reached 20,271,272.

The Census Bureau hasn't provided a new estimate for 2016, but extrapolating from last year's figures we can expect the population to have increased by roughly a further 375,000 people, bringing the Florida population of 2018 up past 21.31 million. Florida's 2016 growth rate is one of the faster in the country (ranked 4th) at 1.8%.

The last official census within the United States was carried out in 2010 and the east coast state of Florida recorded a total number of citizens at 18,801,310.

In terms of population density, Florida has a surface area of 65,755 square miles (170,304 square kilometres). Based on estimates, that equates to 353.4 people per square mile, (136.4 per square kilometer) and that makes it the eighth most densely populated state in the US.

Florida Population History

Florida was a Spanish possession until transferred to the United States by treaty, concluded in 1819 but not in full effect until 1821. Florida was made a territory in 1822 with essentially its present boundaries, and was admitted as a State on March 3, 1845. From 1830 on, all parts of Florida have had census coverage.

Florida Population Chart

Florida Population Growth

Records from 1830 show that a mere 34,730 people lived in Florida, but like the rest of the US, those numbers were to grow dramatically from then onwards. By 1840, the number of people who live in Florida had increased by over 50% to 54,477. Florida joined the union in 1845 as the 27th state, and saw consistently high growth for the rest of the 19th century.

That pattern remained for the early part of the 20th century as well, and by 1950, the population of Florida had grown to 2,771,305. However, the biggest growth was yet to follow and in 1960, the national census revealed that numbers had leapt by 78.7% (nearly 6% annualized) to 4,951,560 over the preceding ten years.

More increases came throughout the decades but the latest census shows that rises are slowing down. In 2000, the population of Florida was 15,982,378 and the increase to 2010 was therefore just 17.6%.

Florida in 2020

If growth continues at roughly the same rate, by the time that the next Census is undertaken in 2020, the population will exceed 22 million. The population could potentially surpass 26 million in 2030, driven by immigration from both Northern US states and other countries.

Population Data via US Census

Florida Growth Rate

Florida Population Rank

Year Pop % Change
202021,967,8331.51%
201921,640,0221.54%
201821,312,2111.56%
201720,984,4001.59%
201620,656,5892.03%
201520,244,9141.79%
201419,888,7411.57%
201319,582,0221.23%
201219,344,1561.29%
201119,096,9521.57%
201018,801,3101.64%
200015,982,3782.14%
199012,937,9262.87%
19809,746,3243.68%
19706,789,4433.21%
19604,951,5605.98%
19502,771,3053.86%
19401,897,4142.60%
19301,468,2114.25%
1920968,4702.55%
1910752,6193.60%
1900528,5423.05%
1890391,4223.80%
1880269,4933.68%
1870187,7482.95%
1860140,4244.85%
185087,4454.85%
184054,4774.60%
183034,7300.00%

Florida Facts

Florida Population in 2018Source: Zverzver at English Wikipedia

  • Florida was the 27th state to be admitted to the Union in 1845.
  • Florida is considered the top travel destination in the world. It posted a record-breaking 87.3 million visitors in 2011.
  • Over 11,000 miles of rivers, streams and waterways are located within the state.
  • Florida's 1,350 miles of coastline is the longest in the continental US.
  • Florida is the United States' largest producer of citrus fruit. Over 60% of the oranges in US are grown in Florida.
  • Space flights are launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
  • Florida has over 1,300 golf courses -- more than any other state in the US.
  • Saint Augustine is the oldest European settlement in the country.
  • Crane Point Hammock was once the site of an Indian village.

Florida Population Density by County

Miami-Dade County

  • Population2,736,543
  • Density1441.36 per sq km
  • Growth Since 20109.15%
  • State Rank1
  • % of State13.25%

Florida Population Growth Rate by County

There are multiple counties in Florida that have experienced significant population growth from the time of the 2010 Census to the time that estimates were taken in 2015 of the population by county. There are several counties that have seen population increases by at least 10%, with the top two counties posting population increases exceeding 20%. Sumter County had the highest growth rate, recorded at over 26%, with Osceola County trailing behind at just over 20%. Other Florida counties that posted population increases include Broward, Lee, and Collier Counties to the south, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, and Walton counties in the northwestern region, and Polk County, Orange County, and Lake County in the central region of the state.

There are fewer counties that saw declines in population, with none coming even close to the top percentages seen in the growing counties. The biggest decline in population in the 5-year period happened in Bradford County, with 5.64%, followed by other counties along the northern border of the state, including Holmes, Leon, Madison, and Jefferson Counties.

Florida Population Pyramid 2018

0k50k100k150kFlorida Male Population0k50k100k150kFlorida Female Population80757065605550454035302520151050

To compare Florida to other states, click here.

Population by Race

Race Population
Total20,612,439
White15,574,165
Black or African American3,310,428
Some Other Race570,424
Asian559,393
Two or More Races532,751
American Indian and Alaska Native52,738
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander12,540

Much of the population increase is due to net migration, not only from overseas but from within the US itself. Current claims suggest that around two thirds of residents were born in another state – a statistic that is the second highest in the US. Florida also has one of the highest populations of Hispanic residents in the United States. It is one of just eight states with a Hispanic population that exceeds one million. In fact, Hispanic residents in Florida, California, and Texas account for 55% of the total Hispanic population in the United States.

Immigrants from Spain, Latin America and Cuba have immigrated to Florida in recent years. Because of the large influx of Hispanic immigrants, Spanish is spoken by 20% of Floridians. The population of non-Hispanic blacks has also increased in recent years, primarily because of Caribbean immigration and reverse migration from the North.

Florida also has a high proportion of illegal aliens with figures around 20% of the total state population, the fourth largest in the US.

Race Data via US Census (2016 ACS 1-Year Survey)

Languages Spoken in Florida

Language Population Percentage
English13,877,05777.03%
Spanish3,640,73520.21%
French107,2900.60%
Portuguese87,1050.48%
German69,4100.39%
Chinese43,2800.24%
Serbocroatian10,6250.06%
Dutch10,3600.06%
Romanian9,6650.05%
Bengali9,2750.05%

This chart shows the top 10 languages that are spoken at home in Florida. The data comes from the most recent release of the American Community Survey (ACS).

Florida Economy

IndicatorValue
High school graduate or higher 86.5%
Bachelor's degree or higher 26.8%
With a Disability 8.5%
Persons Without Health Insurance 20.1%
In Civilian Labor Force 59.2%
In Civilian Labor Force (Female) 55%
Food Services Sales $49,817,925
Health Care Revenue $124,061,425,000
Manufacturers Shipments $96,924,106,000
Merchant Wholesaler Sales $252,626,608,000
Total Retail Sales $273,867,145,000
Total Retail Sales per Capita $14,177
Mean Travel Time to Work 26.1 minutes
Median Household Income $47,212
Per Capita Income (past 12 months) $26,499
Persons in Poverty 16.5%

This chart shows the employment and labor force participation rates in Florida for residents over 16 years of age. The 2015 unemployment rate is 5.7% and the labor force participation rate is 59.2%.

Florida Business

IndicatorValue
Total Nonemployer Establishments 1,948,357
All firms 2,100,187
Men-owned Firms 1,084,885
Women-owned Firms 807,817
Minority-owned Firms 926,112
Nonminority-owned Firms 1,121,749
Veternan-owned Firms 185,756
Nonveteran-owned Firms 1,846,686

Florida Housing

IndicatorValue
Housing Units 8,989,580
Owner Occupied Housing Rate 66.1%
Median Value Owner Occupied Housing Units $156,200
Median Monthly Owner Costs (w/Mortgage) $1,480
Median Monthly Owner Costs (no mortgage) $469
Median Gross Rent $998
Building Permits 109,924
Households 7,217,508
Persons per Household 2.62 persons
Living in Same House 1 Year Ago 83.7%
Language Other than English Spoken at Home 27.8%
Data Sources
  1. Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research - A research arm of the Florida legislature focused on economic, demographic and revenue forecasts for the state of Florida.
  2. US Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  3. US Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program
  4. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  5. Census QuickFacts
  6. Historical Populations of States and Counties (1790 - 1990)

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