FLORIDA PLANS ON GROWTH IN ORDER TO THRIVE IN THE FUTURE
by Jerry D . Parrish , Ph . D .
Florida certainly is a popular place to move to – growing in population the second-most of any state between the 2010 and 2020 census counts . Only Texas grew by more people than Florida . That population growth in Florida is expected to continue higher growth than in most states . The current estimate from the Bureau of Economic and Business Research ( BEBR ) at the University of Florida is that 24.4 million people will call Florida home in 2030 – an increase of around two million people over the next eight years .
Although Florida is growing in population , not every part of Florida is growing . Between 2010 and 2020 , 17 of Florida ’ s counties lost population . Most of these counties are rural - something that is happening all over the U . S . One of the reasons for population declines is that people leave for better places – often to find work . So , who is left when people leave ? - people who may have family responsibilities or fewer opportunities and typically people with fewer skills . What is concerning is that the county taxes still must be collected – so people
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