Florida Population 2017

21,002,678

Our current estimate for Florida's population in 2016 is 20,636,975. 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 2016 up past 20.5 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.

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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 State Rank

Year Pop % Change
2020 22,099,787 1.68%
2019 21,734,084 1.71%
2018 21,368,381 1.74%
2017 21,002,678 1.77%
2016 20,636,975 1.80%
2015 20,271,272 1.84%
2014 19,905,569 1.59%
2013 19,594,467 1.25%
2012 19,352,021 1.29%
2011 19,105,533 1.62%
2010 18,801,310 1.64%
2000 15,982,378 2.14%
1990 12,937,926 2.87%
1980 9,746,324 3.68%
1970 6,789,443 3.21%
1960 4,951,560 5.98%
1950 2,771,305 3.86%
1940 1,897,414 2.60%
1930 1,468,211 4.25%
1920 968,470 2.55%
1910 752,619 3.60%
1900 528,542 3.05%
1890 391,422 3.80%
1880 269,493 3.68%
1870 187,748 2.95%
1860 140,424 4.85%
1850 87,445 4.85%
1840 54,477 4.60%
1830 34,730 0.00%

Florida Facts

Florida Population in 2017 Source: 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

  • Population
  • Density
  • Growth Since 2010
  • State Rank
  • % of State

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.

Population Pyramid

To compare Florida to other states, click here.

Population by Race

Race Population Percentage

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.

Languages Spoken in Florida

Language Population Percentage
Population 5 years and over 18,014,852 100
English 13,877,057 77.03
Spanish 3,640,735 20.21
French 107,290 0.6
Portuguese 87,105 0.48
German 69,410 0.39
Chinese 43,280 0.24
Serbocroatian 10,625 0.06
Dutch 10,360 0.06
Romanian 9,665 0.05

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

Florida Economy

HighSchoolGraduate 87
BachelorsDegree 27
Disabled 9
NoHealthInsurance 20
LaborForceTotal 59
LaborForceFemale 55
FoodServiceSales 49,817,925
HealthCareRevenue 124,061,425
ManufacturerShipments 96,924,106
MerchantWholesalesSales 252,626,608
RetailSales 273,867,145
RetailSalesPerCapita 14,177
MeanWorkTravelTime 26
MedianHouseholdIncome 47,212
PerCapitaIncome 26,499
PovertyPercentage 17

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

NonemployerEstablishments 1,948,357
AllFirms 2,100,187
MenOwnedFirms 1,084,885
WomenOwnedFirms 807,817
MinorityOwnedFirms 926,112
NonminorityOwnedFirms 1,121,749
VeteranOwnedFirms 185,756
NonveteranOwn 1,846,686

Florida Housing

HousingUnits 9,209,857
HousingUnits 8,989,580
OwnerOccupiedRate 66
OwnerOccupiedMedianValue 156,200
MonthlyOwnerCostsMortage 1,480
MonthlyOwnerCostsNoMortage 469
MedianGrossRent 998
BuildingPermits 109,924
Households 7,217,508
PersonsPerHousehold 3
SameHouseOneYearAgo 84
NonEnglishAtHome 28
Data Sources
  1. Census State Population Estimates - Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program - released 6/23/2016
  2. Census County Population Estimates - Most recent county estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program - released 6/23/2016
  3. American Community Survey (2009 - 2013)
  4. Census QuickFacts
  5. 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.

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