While Florida continues to see population growth, its growth rate over the last couple of years has dropped to an all-time historic low, a new study by the University of Florida said.
The state’s permanent resident population grew to just over 18.8 million, a 17.6 percent increase over the decade, the study found. And while that was among the biggest growth trends in the country for the decade as a whole, the study projected a steady decline in the rate of growth through 2040.
The latter part of the decade had a tough time keeping up with the go-go middle part of the first decade of the century.
Between 2003 and 2006 the state saw a huge amount of growth as the economy boomed.
Growth slowed as the economy tanked and the unemployment rate edged up in the last couple years because many people move to Florida for jobs.
Others who have through history retired to Florida have a harder time when the real estate market slumps because they can’t sell their previous homes as easily.
