Florida's Population Is Shrinking

Florida seemed to be on the fast track to overtaking New York as the third-most populace state, according to the 2010 Census. Since 2000, the Sunshine State's population has boomed by more than 3 million, and the 2008 estimate put us at 18,328,340, just shy of New York's 19,490,297. But according to a...

By Kyle Munzenrieder

August 13, 2009

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Florida seemed to be on the fast track to overtaking New York as the third-most populace state, according to the 2010 Census. Since 2000, the Sunshine State's population has boomed by more than 3 million, and the 2008 estimate put us at 18,328,340, just shy of New York's 19,490,297.

But according to a new study by University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research, the state population shrunk for the first time in 60 years. The study estimates it dipped by about 58,000 between April 2008 and April 2009.

Unsurprisingly, it's somewhat related to Florida's slumping real estate market, high levels of foreclosure, and other economic woes. County-by-county numbers are due out tomorrow.

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.