Florida’s Population Booms as State Gets Older

Florida is likely outpacing New York in becoming America’s third most-populous state.

A U.S. Census report released Thursday  estimates Florida as the fourth most-populous state after New York, with 19.5 million residents. The Sunshine State trails the Empire State by 150,000 residents.

But the Associated Press reports the official number is likely outdated and greater than the official Census figure by more than 80,000. That would mean Florida’s population growth rate has returned to pre-recession levels, thereby likely surpassing New York's total demographic numbers.

“When you compare it to 2008 or 2009, when the population wasn’t growing, then it’s quite a rebound,” University of Florida demographer Stefan Rayer told the AP.

The Census report also ranks Florida as having the highest proportion of seniors for any state in the country, at 18.7 percent.

Sumter County has the largest proportion of resident 65 years and older at 51.6 percent.