Florida’s Population Continues to Explode

Florida's population growth is still exploding despite the series of hurricanes to hit the state over the past two years, and a new study by the University of Florida indicates the trend should continue over the next 25 years.

The Sunshine States population is estimated to reach 20 million people in 2010 and nearly 25 million by 2025, according to demographer Stefan Rayer of the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

The states population now stands at about 18 million residents. By 2030 Florida is expected to have 26,419,200 residents, about a half million more than last year’s projections estimated.

"Overall, Florida is one of the fastest growing states in the country and that is unlikely to change," Rayer said. "While rates have declined since the 1970s, the growth rate is still very healthy, with projections calling for the years 2000 to 2010 to have the largest population increase in Florida’s history."

The U.S. Census Bureau has predicted that Florida will be among three states to hold 47% of the nation's population by 2030. Texas and California will be the other two most populus states.