Associated Press
Three metro areas in Florida were among the nation’s 10 biggest gainers in the number of people moving there last year, and another three Florida metro areas were in the top 10 for overall growth rates.
The U.S. Census Bureau on Thursday said the Tampa area had the nation’s fourth-highest gain from people moving there last year. Some 58,000 new residents moved there.
South Florida had the nation’s seventh-highest gain from migration, adding about 48,000 residents who moved there.
Orlando added nearly 47,000 residents through migration, placing it at No. 8.
Those three metro areas also were in the nation’s top 10 for overall population growth — which includes natural population increases and migration.
South Florida grew by nearly 65,000 residents from births and migration, and its population stood at more than 6 million last year.
The Tampa area grew to 3 million residents last year, adding 61,000 residents through natural increases and migration. Orlando grew overall by nearly 60,000 residents and had a population of 2.4 million residents last year.
The Villages community northwest of Orlando had the nation’s highest overall growth rate last year at 4.3 percent.
Fort Myers had the fifth highest at 3.1 percent. Punta Gorda’s 3 percent rate placed it at No. 8.
Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
