Florida is developing and growing— quickly. That’s why it can be hard to keep up with everything going on. Many people are looking from Texas and wondering: is there a place for me over there? And the answer is probably yes! There are many things that Florida offers and chances are you can find your place to call your own in the Sunshine State. You can find some similarities in Florida, when compared to Texas, as well. This can create a feeling of your old home, yet it’s distinctly different, as well. But which city in Florida should you choose? Take a look at our list of the fastest growing Florida cities and see what makes them so popular. Maybe one of the places you will read about can become your future home!
How fast is Florida actually growing?
When you look at Florida it’s obvious why are so many people deciding to move here. The state’s population has basically exploded, scoring great growth rates throughout the years. Between 2021 and 2022, Florida’s population expanded by 1.9% to 22,244,823, surpassing Idaho, the previous year’s fastest-growing state. Florida’s percentage improvements since 1946 have been impressive: its population in 2022 was slightly more than 9 times that of 2,440,000 in 1946. It took it less than a century to get such massive growth. Not a lot of other places can boast such high numbers. This is due to a combination of different factors. However, it’s also due to the fact that more and more people from other US states are relocating to Florida. Florida is considered to be a tax haven since it doesn’t have a personal income tax! This is just one of the things attracting people over.
It’s no wonder, then, that so many people are moving to Florida! When you have such sharp population growth, the economy tends to follow. When you compare Florida’s GDP in 2000 to the one today, it’s almost 60 percent bigger. All this has led to a surge of people coming to Florida, for work or just relocating to spend their retirement here. Moving from Texas to Florida had become a huge trend, especially among the retires. This is because, for example, there are plenty of different cities to choose from and the weather is great all year round!
Freeport is the fastest growing city in Florida
Freeport is one of the fastest growing cities in Florida. And there are good reasons why! It’s situated really close to a lot of popular Florida beaches, and that’s where people simply love to come. After all, Florida is well-known for its tourism sector and communities like Freeport benefit from it a lot. Niche marks Freeport with a ‘B’ on its public schools and housing. It’s graded well for its ‘family grade’, as well. Freeport can be a great city in Florida to raise your family in. Many people enjoy it here due to the fact it’s only 20 minutes away from phenomenal beaches and golf courses. If you compare its today’s population to the one in 1970, there was a growth of over 1,000 percent! Yep, over 1000!
The city’s population is diverse, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.7% between the ages of 18 and 24, 27.5% between the ages of 25 and 44, 23.9% between the ages of 45 and 64, and 13.9% aged 65 and up. When you have a fast growing city, it’s important that it’s growing across all of its age groups. That’s something that Freeport does very well, as you can see, being one of the fastest growing Florida cities. This is going to ensure that it even continues to grow even more, outgrowing some nearby communities. With more and more people moving in, that’s bound to happen sooner than later, which is a good thing.
What’s life like in Freeport and what can you expect
In December 2022, Freeport home prices were up 12.7% from the previous year, with a median price of $434,000. Furthermore, the typical annual compensation for an average job in Freeport is $38,000 per year or $18.27 per hour. As you can see, housing options here are generally pretty affordable and the salary isn’t that bad, either! When you couple that with the great state to state movers Orlando that operate in the area, it seems like an even better option. These kinds of prices also mean that the general costs of living are also lower, which is always something important to consider. If you compare these statistics to your city in Texas, you’re going to see how much different your life might be. You’re probably going to be left with more money than in Texas, which is great!
Davenport is second on the list of the fastest growing Florida cities
Davenport is a very small city in the county of Polk in the state of Florida. It has witnessed consistent and strong growth in new residents over the last five years for its size. This is one of the country’s fastest growing little towns. The population has grown by 12.2% in the last year and 84.8% in the last five years to 4140 people. Even though these are great numbers, it’s still a bit lower than the growth rate of Freeport. But anyway, Davenport is a city that has a bright future with this growth rate. And thanks to the fact it’s still relatively small, its living costs are really low. In Davenport, 12.50% of occupied residences are rented, which is lower than the national renter rate of 36.2%.
The average Davenport renter pays $1,145 per month for housing, which is less than the national median of $1,023 per month. Moreover, according to Payscale, the average salary is around $16.71 an hour. When you calculate that with the average working hours, it comes out to around $36,000 per year. Naturally, some jobs are better paid so you can also expect different prices. For example, if you’re working remotely for a, say, Texas tech company and living in Devenport… well, it’s surely going to pay off! Living in these small communities is great when it comes to living costs, so just fits everything nicely. Even better, lots of the best interstate moving companies in Texas relocate to the area, making it all even easier for you.
Wildwood is another great city in Florida you should consider
This is another pretty popular, albeit seemingly small, community in Florida. It’s a fast growing suburban city when you look at the statistics, as well. It is well-known for its closeness to a number of state parks, including Withlacoochee State Forest and the Villages, a huge retirement community. Fishing, boating, and hiking are just a few of the outdoor activities available in Wildwood. In addition, there are various golf courses and shopping malls in the region. The cost of living in Wildwood is lower than the national average, making it an appealing alternative for individuals seeking a more economical way of life. People looking to relocate out of big Texas cities where the costs of living are high are going to appreciate it here.
Wildwood house prices in December 2022 were 9.6% higher than the previous year, with a median price of $318,000. When compared to the average annual pay of roughly $40,000, this appears to be a fantastic opportunity. If you move here from a more expensive area, you’ll immediately realize how much you can value these small settlements. Moreover, they can provide an escape from urban hell. Due to quick expansion, as it’s one of the fastest growing Florida cities, the city had more than 33,000 residents by October of 2022, with ambitions to increase to more than 100,000 residents in the near future. That’s also going to help the local economy, so you can expect a lot of job openings soon, as well. Moreover, this will lead to more houses being built, which will also help the housing market.
Groveland is another excellent choice for relocating from Texas to Florida
Groveland is a little community near Orlando that is relatively quiet yet is rapidly increasing. The town is famous for its lakes. Groveland might be ideal for families searching for a suitable environment to raise their children, a reasonable home, and a secure neighborhood. Its population has risen from 2000 in 1990 to approximately 21,000 today. Groveland’s housing costs are 19% less than the national average, while utility costs are 5% less than the national average. As you can see, living costs here are generally pretty acceptable and are something you will appreciate if you relocate to here from Texas. And that’s what a lot of people are doing! A population increase of over 790% in about 30 years is not bad at all!
According to Neighborhood Scout, this is a pretty safe town for your children, and for your whole family, as well. In Groveland, your chances of being a victim of violent crime are 1 in 443 and 1 in 114. This can be an excellent option if you want to raise your kids in a safe environment. Moreover, the local schools are above what’s considered average. You won’t find a lot of similar places, where low costs of living are combined with great crime rates and excellent local educational institutions! The typical family here makes about $65,000 annually, which is pretty good. The average houses in the area are around $393,000. That’s an increase when compared to the last year, though, so don’t wait too long to contact the Florida interstate moving companies and get your free moving quotes!
Why moving to Fruitland Park in Florida can be an excellent idea
Fruitland Park, located just outside of numerous major vacation spots, has experienced a rapid population increase in the previous decade. Between 2010 and 2020, the city’s population increased from 4,078 to 8,325. This reflects a 104.1% increase in the overall population. It’s still a pretty small community, yet with pretty big chances it won’t be small for long. Depending on what you like, it can be a great chance for you to experience a quiet and peaceful lifestyle. People who live in the cities often overlook all kinds of anxiety and stress living in a big city brings. It’s all different once you’re in a smaller place, especially in Florida. They tend to bring much-needed peace and quiet. Here are some tops reasons why you might want to move to the area:
- Its median home value is around $265,000, much lower than some other options in this list of fastest growing Florida cities
- With a median rent of around $1,100, it’s definitely a really affordable place that will suit many people
- It gives off a suburban rural vibe, albeit most of the people actually own their houses, as only 19% of people rent a property
- The average salary is around $28,000, whereas households make around $56,000 on average.
Choosing a single place from the list of the fastest growing cities in Florida
As you can see, there are a bunch of great and promising Florida communities. Perhaps the best way to settle on a single one is to compare it to your current city or town in Texas. Are you ready for a big change? Or do you want to continue somewhat of a similar life? Answering these simple, yet crucial, questions may help you decide on what’s your next step. All these communities in Florida are also located close to other big cities, so you won’t miss anything. As they’re fast-growing, you’re probably going to get better and better job opportunities here, as well. Naturally, these are only the top 5 fastest growing Florida cities and there’s more to consider, especially when moving from Texas to Florida.
References:
https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/fl/groveland/crime
https://datausa.io/profile/geo/
