Southeast

 

Unique features, Rankings and Statistics

The seven-county Southeast Florida region is home to an extraordinary wealth of unique places, natural wonders, spectacular events and storied histories.

And as the state's largest metro area with a highly diverse and growing population of more than 6.5 million, Miami — by its sheer size and vibrant and highly diverse cultures — has a special quality all its own.

Known as the Gateway to the Americas, Miami-Dade has emerged as a crucial hub for global companies, hosting more than 1,000 multinational corporations and more than 100 international consulates and trade offices.

Miami-Dade also is one of the most international counties in the U.S., with a rich mix of cultures, mainly from Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe.

Its booming economy and rapid population growth are on full display across the city's skyline populated with more than 400 high-rise buildings — the third highest number in the U.S., behind Chicago and New York City. More than 90 high-rise projects were under construction in the greater Miami-Dade area in 2025.

The county is home to the world's largest cruise ship industry; is the only metro area in the contiguous U.S. with a tropical climate; and Miami International Airport ranks among the largest and busiest airports in the world.

While the list of Miami-Dade's man-made structures is long and impressive, the region is just as famous for its natural resources and parklands, including Biscayne National Park and the vast Everglades National Park.

Broward County is Miami's neighbor to the north and can boast its own array of features.

Fort Lauderdale, Broward's largest city and often called the Venice of America, is famous for its extensive network of canals and waterways similar to those in Venice, Italy and providing a scenic backdrop for boating and water taxi rides.

Fort Lauderdale is home to Port Everglades, one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. The city's cultural heart is centered on Las Olas Boulevard, an iconic 2.5-mile hub for shopping, dining, art galleries and entertainment venues.

Other notable features include Butterfly World and Flamingo Gardens. The county is also home to the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

Palm Beach County is home to the Norton Museum of Art and the Flagler Museum, which offers a glimpse into the life of industrialist Henry Flagler, a key figure in the development of Florida's Atlantic Coast in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

With 150 public and private golf courses, Palm Beach County lays claim to the title of the Golf Capital of Florida.

Another man-made feature is the Jupiter Lighthouse, a 108-foot-tall beacon built in 1860 that features a spiral staircase.

Indian River County is known for its incredible biodiversity, especially in the Indian River Lagoon. This 156-mile-long estuary is recognized as one of the most biologically diverse in North America with more than 4,000 species of plants and animals, including more than 50 threatened or endangered species.

The county is home to the nation's first National Wildlife Refuge, Pelican Island, established in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Monroe County and the Florida Keys are home to the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S., and draws millions of visitors for snorkeling, diving and fishing, and it is a vital economic and environmental asset.

Economic Growth

Miami-Dade County’s overall economic growth in 2025 was fueled by a booming tourism sector and robust job creation in trade, logistics and professional services. This growth was complemented by strong performance in finance, technology, health care and infrastructure sectors.

During the past year, Miami continued cementing its reputation as an international finance center, as several high-capital investment firms and hedge funds relocated headquarters to the area.

Meanwhile, Miami's tech and innovation ecosystems continue to attract top talent and investment, particularly in artificial intelligence, fintech and health tech.

The region's startup ecosystem is valued at more than $95 billion and continues to attract major firms, including Varonis, an international data security company that recently moved its headquarters from New York to Miami's Brickell neighborhood.

Other robust growth sectors include public and private investment fueling major improvements in infrastructure and transportation.

Miami International Airport, one of the nation's largest, is seeing record-breaking passenger growth and that's driving a $9 billion, multi-year expansion plan and creating more than 311,000 jobs in the Miami-Dade region.

Building on its status as the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami served a record 8.2 million passengers in 2024 and is on track to surpass that number in 2025.

During the past year Broward County enjoyed continued economic growth driven by key sectors that include successful company expansions and major infrastructure investments.

The local economy has outperformed national and state averages in key metrics, despite a slowing population and job growth compared to prior years.

Among the notable successes during 2025 was the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance's role in assisting 11 companies in relocating or expanding in Broward County that resulted in the creation of 860 high-value jobs and $158 million in capital investments.

Other highlights include:

Broward's Port Everglades' record $215.7 million in revenues during its most recently reported fiscal year.

Passenger traffic at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport's grew by 4.1% to 35.7 million passengers in fiscal year 2024.

In the biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector, Transpire Bio made a $100 million investment in a new 139,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Pembroke Pines, projected to create 200 high-skill jobs.

Tech giant ServiceNow announced its move to West Palm Beach in September 2025, initially occupying a temporary space, with a permanent headquarters planned for mid-2028.

Goldman Sachs, New York-based financial powerhouse, expanded its operations in the region, bringing more than 100 traders and sales representatives to West Palm Beach as part of the Wall Street South trend.

Elsewhere in the Southeast region, Indian River County's economic growth during 2025 was generally positive but slowing — helped by growing employment numbers — but weathering a cooling real estate market.

Martin County highlights include the Martin Commerce Park, where Ashley Capital announced land use and zoning approval for a 100-acre Class A commercial development, with the potential for up to 1.1 million square feet of light industrial development.

Major industry and business successes in St. Lucie County during 2025 include significant progress in the distribution and logistics sector, new multi-million dollar residential and commercial developments and continued growth in the county's manufacturing base.

During the past year, Monroe County's economy has shown positive signs, including growth in per capita income and a continued increase in permanent and vacation home sales, driving up real estate prices and demand.

Top industries

The largest industries and most significant industry clusters in the seven-county Southeast region include such long-standing powerhouses as tourism, international trade, transportation, logistics, finance, and specialized sectors like aviation and technology.

Remarkably, one in four jobs in Miami-Dade County is related to, or dependent on aviation, including those at Miami International Airport, the county's largest employer.

Miami-Dade is a major hub for international financial services, trade, transportation, real estate and construction, health care and life sciences that includes the expanding biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors.

The technology sector continues to attract a host of startups and established firms in fintech, health tech and other technology fields.

And there is an entire industry — tourism, food and travel services and international transportation — built around Miami-Dade's cruise industry, the world's largest.

Among Broward County's largest industries are tourism and hospitality, and both are major sources of the county's significant employment numbers.

Trade, transportation and utilities are other sectors that are major employers and job creators.

Other significant industry clusters include marine manufacturing and support services, aviation and aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

Fort Lauderdale also has thriving finance and insurance sector industries.

What's more, Palm Beach County is a key financial hub, with information and financial services being among its highest-paying industries.

The county also supports a cluster of aerospace and engineering firms and agriculture and food processing industries.

Access to Capital

Venture capital funding for AI-powered startups in the Miami area tripled to nearly $900 million in 2024.

Recent highlights include the move by Citadel, a multi-billion dollar hedge fund, that recently relocated from Chicago to Miami and is planning a new permanent headquarters in a 54-story tower in the Brickell Financial District.

Joining Citadel in its recent move to Miami is Alpha West Capital Partners. The influx of investment capital firms was noted in a recent Bloomberg report that cited Miami as an "ideal base for high profile investors."

The Miami metro area's medical technology sector saw a strong recovery in 2024, attracting $572.5 million in funding.

Notably, Insightec raised $150 million to advance its focused ultrasound technology.

Like Miami, Palm Beach County has seen an influx of major financial and hedge fund firms in recent years.

The county, one of the wealthiest in the U.S., is home to several venture capital and wealth management firms, including Camelot Venture Group and Harlan Capital Partners.

A strong network of industry professionals, founders and investors exists, supported by organizations like the Palm Beach Hedge Fund Association.

Access to investment and venture capital for the major economic hubs of Miami-Dade, Palm Beach and Broward counties is abundant and shows no signs of weakening.

Culture, Personality and Seasonality

From the dense, pulsating and hugely diverse communities that make up the Miami-Dade metro area, to the quieter and distinctly more rural regions in Monroe and Indian River counties, Southeast Florida is a multicultural melting pot of spicy and colorful cultures and distinct personalities.

Known as the Gateway to Latin America, Miami-Dade has become an international destination, a city with a vibrant, dynamic culture largely shaped by the growth of its Latin American and Caribbean populations.

Miami's nightlife and its legendary South Beach are known for high-energy, party-all-night personality that draws global visitors year-round.

Miami's multicultural personalities also are on full display in its arts and diverse music scenes in Little Havana, Coconut Grove and far beyond.

Bordering Miami-Dade to the north, Broward County offers a multifaceted and family-friendly cultural landscape that's home to a significant population of foreign-born residents.

The county's personality features a lively arts scene, promoted by the Broward Cultural Division, focusing on community engagement and economic vitality.

While often perceived as a suburban extension of Miami, Broward County offers a slightly more relaxed pace while still feeling the pulse and pull of Miami-Dade's sprawling metropolitan gravity.

Palm Beach County presents a culture that offers a more upscale, refined and relaxed atmosphere. The area is known for its luxurious resorts, high-end shopping on Worth Avenue, mega yachts and a sophisticated leisure scene.

A broad array of art galleries, performance venues like the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts and museums also define Palm Beach's sophisticated personality and culture.

North of the large urban coastal areas are the less populated but no less vibrant and culturally distinct counties of St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River.

And to the south is Monroe County and the world-famous Key West, which has a culture and quirky personality unlike any in Florida.