Florida’s population increased by 8.2% since 2020, making it the fastest-growing state over the last 4 years
Florida’s population has grown faster than any other state since 2020, according to the Vintage 2024 Population Estimates released on Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. From July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2024, Florida’s population increased by 8.24%. Idaho was right behind the Sunshine State with an 8.23% increase, followed by Texas with a 7.02% increase, the new data estimates show. From 2023 to 2024, Florida’s estimated population increased by 467,347 people and was second only to Texas, which gained 562,941. More from Click Orlando and News 4 Jax.
Business Beat - Week of June 27th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Hurricane center gives low chance for system to form in Gulf
The National Hurricane Center began tracking a system in the Caribbean that could move into the Gulf waters off Mexico over the weekend with a chance to develop into the season’s next tropical depression or storm. In its 2 a.m. Friday tropical outlook, the NHC stated the area of showers and thunderstorms was in the northwestern Caribbean Sea approaching Belize and Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, but expected to move west-northwest into the Bay of Campeche in the southwestern Gulf waters on Saturday or Saturday where a low pressure area could form. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Tribal nations band together to denounce 'Alligator Alcatraz' on Florida ancestral homelands
While the federal government has given Florida officials its blessing to create an immigration detention center in the Everglades, tribal nations with ancestral ties to the land have not. Leaders of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and the Seminole Tribe of Florida are denouncing the development of "Alligator Alcatraz" in Big Cypress National Preserve. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
Study: $1M in Florida buys 753 square feet of luxury housing
Luxury properties in Florida cost $1,360 per square foot, the study from Highland Cabinetry says, meaning $1 million will purchase about 753 square feet of luxury housing. Luxury properties in the Sunshine State average about $2.67 million, according to the study. While Florida ranks No. 10 among states where $1 million buys the least amount of real estate, it does offer significantly more square footage for that price point than some other states. [Source: Business Observer]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Alico's transformation from a grower to a developer reaches another milestone
Fort Myers-based Alico Inc. is behind the plans to build two new 1,500-acre villages, known as Corkscrew Grove East and Corkscrew Grove West. It's seeking approval for the East village as its first step. The review and approval process is anticipated to take about a year, with a final decision made by Collier County commissioners in 2026.
› Flamingos on Merritt Island show birds are giving Florida a second chance
For more than a year and half, a growing group of flamingos has been hanging out at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, delighting birders, drawing tourists and firing dreams that this iconic species may be reestablishing itself in Florida after an absence of more than a century. Driven beyond their Caribbean, Central and South American homes, apparently by hurricane activity, scores of flamingos now spend significant time in southern Florida.
› eMerge Americas acquires Miami AI Hub and doubles down with new chief AI officer and Miami AI School
Miami’s tech scene just got a major upgrade. Today, eMerge Americas announced its acquisition of Miami AI Hub, a community of over 4,000 people dedicated to building AI literacy and community through accessible education, events, and partnerships. Miami AI Hub founder Burhan Sebin will join eMerge as its first-ever chief AI officer.
› Southwest Florida rental market eases slightly amid new construction
Southwest Florida remains one of the state’s most competitive rental markets, though conditions have slightly eased since last year, according to data from apartment listing and property management platform RentCafe. In 2025, seven renters are vying for each vacant apartment, down from nine in 2024. The occupancy rate dipped to 92.7% from 94.7%, and lease renewals fell to 65.6% from 66.7%.
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› Five developments that could be game changers for Brevard in coming years
Viera may be the brightest star in the development constellation within the Space Coast. But the supporting cast of projects that are underway or proposed is impressive as well, stretching from Titusville to Palm Bay. Here are five that could become game changers for the Space Coast — assuming they come to fruition.
› Venice City Council turns to internal candidate to be new city manager
The city of Venice’s six-month search for a successor to Ed Lavallee as city manager led back his current assistant, James Clinch, who earned unanimous support Wednesday after the council heard from him and five other finalists. Clinch, a 2001 graduate of Venice High School, graduated with a civil engineering degree from the University of Florida in 2006 while also working as a soils and foundation specialist for the Florida Department of Transportation.
› Kennedy Space Center goes retro for Y2K after-hours event
Kennedy Under the Stars, an after-hours event at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, will carry a theme from a quarter-century ago. It’s set up for Y2K nostalgia. The event, set for Aug. 30 at 6:30 p.m., allows access to many of the attraction’s exhibits, including Spaceport KSC, the Shuttle Launch Experience and Space Shuttle Atlantis plus a stargazing experience through telescopes provided by Ortega Observatory of Florida Tech.
› Spirit Halloween is hiring 1,100 Florida workers, here's where, when stores open
Ready for the spooky season? Spirit Halloween is already gearing up, and they're hiring. The seasonal and ubiquitous pop-up retailer famous for its wide variety of costumes, decorations and animatronic horrors will be hiring 50,000 people for the more than 1,500 retail locations expected to open ahead of the 2025 Halloween season.