Economic Troubles Put Brakes on Florida's Population Growth
Monday, June 13, 2011
By: Nicole Creston

June 13, 2011 | WMFE - A new University of Florida study shows the state's population growth has slowed to its lowest level in more than 60 years.

Florida is still a leader in population gains over the past decade, according to the report released Monday. However, the study’s authors are predicting the state's growth rate will continue its current decline through 2040.  

Stan Smith, director of the university's Bureau of Economic and Business Research, says Florida's housing bust and other economic woes are behind the population slowdown. Smith points out that Florida’s job market has served as a major draw for new residents in the past, but the state’s job outlook has changed drastically since 2007. Since then, Florida has lost about one million jobs.

Smith says the economic situation is expected to keep population growth at relatively low levels for another year or two. After that, he expects a slight upward trend, but says it likely won't match the levels of the past several decades.