Tampa Bay's Population Booming: Census Bureau

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The Tampa Bay area is home to several of the country’s fastest-growing counties and some of the Sunshine State’s most populous areas, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

On the fastest growing front, Manatee and Pasco counties both rank on the census bureau’s national top 100 list. Manatee County was the country’s 33rd fastest-growing in the time period between July 1, 2014, and July 1, 2015, according to the bureau. During that time period, the county’s population rose 3.3 percent from 351,771 residents to 363,369. Pasco County came in 85th on the list of 100 with a 2.5 percent rise in population year over year. The county’s estimated population grew from 485,640 in 2014 to 497,909 in 2015.

While Miami-Dade County remains the state’s most populous with an estimated 2,693,117 residents in July 2015, several Tampa Bay area counties are not trailing far behind it in population ranking, the census bureau notes. Here’s a look at the bureau’s estimated population growth for Bay area counties between 2010 and 2015:

• Pinellas County – 916,812, population estimate in 2010; 949,827, estimate for 2015; statewide population ranking, sixth most populous county
• Hillsborough County – 1,229,224, population estimate in 2010; 1,349,050, estimate in 2015; statewide population ranking, fourth most populous county
• Sarasota County – 379,435, population estimate in 2010; 405,549, population estimate in 2015; statewide population ranking, 14th most populous
• Manatee County – 322,833, population estimate in 2010; 363,369, population estimate in 2015; statewide population ranking, 15th most populous
• Pasco County – 464,703, population estimate in 2010; 497,909, population estimate in 2015; statewide population ranking, 12th most populous

Outside of Miami-Dade and Hillsborough counties, the state’s most populous counties include Broward, second; Palm Beach, third; and Orange, fifth.

See Also:

• Florida’s Population Tops 20 Million

Florida’s population on the whole grew to more than 20 million by July 1, 2015, the census bureau announced late last year. That makes the Sunshine State the country’s third most populous.

Florida, interestingly enough, even beat out California in the number of people added year over year, the government noted in its figures release. That’s the first time that’s happened in a decade.

Florida’s overall population gain also tracked with a Harris Poll that named the state No. 1 in the nation for where people want to live. The poll, conducted online between Nov. 11 and Nov. 16, 2015, involved a survey of some 2,232 American adults. When the numbers were tallied, Florida came out on top with California, Hawaii, Colorado and New York rounding out the top five. Interestingly enough, pollsters at Harris also determined Florida was the seventh top state named when people were asked where they wouldn’t want to live. California got the dubious No. 1 honors on that question.

To check out county-specific information, visit the census bureau online.

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