What Are The 10 Fastest Growing Cities In Florida?

Kayla Eaton
by Kayla Eaton

Do you want to live near or on the beach for life? Moving to Florida can help you achieve this dream easily. There are big cities that are expanding and growing rapidly, and after a long day in the city, you can hit the sandy shores next to them. Florida offers a sunny and happy environment to call home. There are so many reasons why you may want to look at the different cities around the state.

After researching Florida, we have found that a few of the fastest-growing cities include Fruitland Park with a 93.2% growth rate, Groveland with a 72.3% growth rate, Sweetwater with 53.4%, and St. Cloud with 51.6% growth. The best news about Florida is that it is a big state with many options; we have researched seven more cities that are quickly expanding.

Florida is also known as the sunshine state because of the fantastic weather that happens every year. You will find tons of outdoor activities, nice shopping areas, and, most importantly, friendly communities. If you have been questioning whether or not to move, maybe these cities will do the job of convincing you that now is the best time to move.

How The Fastest Growing Cities Were Determined

To find out the fastest growing cities, we took a look at ACS or the American Community Survey led by the United States Census Bureau. There are over 282 cities in Florida, but to narrow down our search, we looked through 82, most of them well known and had lots of information going back several years. We were able to look at the population from 10 to 12 years ago to calculate the change to help us determine which were the fastest-growing cities.

Fastest growing Cities In Florida

CityPrevious Population (2010)Current Population (2021)Growth Rate %
Fruitland Park4,0627,84893.2%
Groveland7,93513,67272.3%
Sweetwater13,59920,86553.4%
St. Cloud33,74251,15851.6%
Doral41,14859,97245.7%
Parkland22,44231,45440.2%
Winter Garden31,48043,64838.7%
Ocoee34,13446,30535.7%
Clermont26,14135,20934.7%
Palm Springs18,66824,84333.1%

1. Fruitland Park

  • Current Population: 7,848
  • Previous Population: 4,062
  • Growth Rate: 93.2%

This is a city in Lake County that was first settled by Calvin Lee and another man Major. Orlando P Rooks who built a house in 1877. This area originally got its name due to all the citrus groves and trees in the area. Even though this is one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida, it has remained a safe place to live. The crime rate is 49% below the national average, and this small city continues to attract a wide variety of people.

This is a quiet area in the suburbs of Orlando; unfortunately, if you are looking for a wild nightlife scene, this may not be the area for you. It is a great place to settle down with a growing family. It’s also one of the best places if you’re looking to buy a home. The median home value in this neighborhood is $228,200.

2. Groveland

  • Current Population: 13,672
  • Previous Population:  7,935
  • Growth Rate: 72.3%

This is another suburb of Orlando but was recently deemed the 5th best place to raise a family in Lake County. Why is it a good place to raise a family? It has a crime rate that is 33% below the national average, and your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 603. Groveland was founded in 1922 and is in a very strategic location that makes it super appealing for young professionals and families.

Groveland is a diverse area that attracts all sorts of people with various political views. The public schools are rated above average, and there is a good job opportunity in this area. It’s a perfect town to buy a home because the median home value is below the national average. You will find that the median home value is $199,100.

3. Sweetwater

  • Current Population: 20,865
  • Previous Population:  13,599
  • Growth Rate: 53.4%

Sweetwater is a suburb of Miami and was founded in 1941. People choose to move here because of the low crime rate and fun surrounding community. The police are outstanding about patrolling the area and helping when there are any problems, they are incredibly responsive. The crime rate in Sweetwater is 55% below the national average and your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 1360. This means that violent crime rarely happens.

This city can be a good place to retire, with decent homes for sale and a few to rent. The schools are rated above average, and there are many bars and coffee shops you can walk to from your home. You will find that there is a decent mix of renters and homeowners in this area. Rent is more expensive than the national average, but the median home value is $178,700.

4. St. Cloud

  • Current Population: 51,158
  • Previous Population:  33,724
  • Growth Rate: 51.6%

This is a city that is in the suburbs of Orlando and was founded in 1909. Many people choose to live here because it is safe, welcoming, and the community is tight-knit. The crime rate in this area is 47% below the national average, and your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 534. You will find that even though these are fast-growing cities, the crime rates continue to decrease over time. St. Cloud has seen a 5% decrease in crimes over the last few years.

Families choose to move here because owning a house is more affordable than in other areas of Florida. There are tons of parks throughout the city and a lot of nature surrounding the community. Most of the people in this city choose to own homes rather than rent. You will find that the median home value in this area is $197,500.

5. Doral

  • Current Population: 59,972
  • Previous Population:  41,148
  • Growth Rate: 45.7%

This is another suburb of Miami that was recently rated the 37th best city to raise a family in. Doral was founded in 1962, which is later than the other cities. You will be surprised to find the total crime rate is 4% below the national average, but property crime is 9% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 1035.

Young professionals tend to gravitate towards this area because the nightlife is extremely fun, and the population is diverse, drawing in a large crowd. This is a better area for renters who want a stable rent of around $1,991 per month. You will find that the homes are a bit more expensive, with an average median home value of $394,900.

6. Parkland

  • Current Population: 31,454
  • Previous Population:  22,442
  • Growth Rate: 40.2%

Year after year, Parkland, Florida, becomes a safer place to reside. Every year the crime decreases by 32%. This city is a suburb of Fort Lauderdale and was rated the second-best place to raise a family. Parkland was incorporated in 1963 and has been thriving ever since. The total crime rate is 77% lower than the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 3916.

Believe it or not, everyone is trying to get into this area, but it can be rather hard if you’re trying to stick to a budget. Most of the community chooses to be homeowners, while only a select few choose to rent. The median home value for this town is $611,800, which means not everyone can afford a home. This price is way above the national average.

7. Winter Garden

  • Current Population: 43,648
  • Previous Population:  31,480
  • Growth Rate: 38.7%

The good thing about Winter Garden is that it is an excellent place for young couples to start a family. It was founded in 1908. This is a spot where young professionals can go to settle down. Unfortunately, unlike the other cities on the list, the crime rate in this area is higher. The total crime rate is 11% higher than the national average, and your chance of being a victim of violent crime is 1 in 259.

Though this area may seem unsafe, keep in mind that it is safer than 26% of United States cities. This is still a good place to raise a family with school districts that are rated above average. You will find that most of this city chooses to become homeowners because of the affordable prices. The median home value is $313,600, which is still slightly above the national average but cheaper than other areas.

8. Ocoee

  • Current Population: 46,305
  • Previous Population:  34,134
  • Growth Rate: 35.7%

Overall, Ocoee is a pretty good place for families and professionals to settle down. Ocoee was founded in 1886, and it was named after a river in Tennessee. Like the previous city, this town has an overall crime rate of 21% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 320, which is actually 17% below the national average.

This area is extremely diverse with broad ranges of opinions, and it is perfect for a small family. The schools are rated above average and overall is an affordable area to live in. You will find that most of the community chooses to become homeowners. The median home value in this area is $242,200.

9. Clermont

  • Current Population: 35,209
  • Previous Population:  26,141
  • Growth Rate: 34.7%

Founded in 1884, this city has now been rated the #1 best place to live in Lake County. Though the growth rate may appear slower, it is still gradually expanding. The best news about this area that attracts many retired folks is that the total crime rate of the area is 20% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 479. It rarely happens here.

You will find that over 71% of the community choose to buy their homes because of the excellent price. People are always trying to get into the neighborhood because it is beautiful, with gorgeous houses and kind neighbors. You will find that the median home value of Clermont is $233,00.

10. Palm Springs

  • Current Population: 24,843
  • Previous Population:  18,668
  • Growth Rate: 33.1%

Last on the list is Palm Springs in the suburbs of Fort Lauderdale. It was founded in 1957 and continues to grow in population. People continue to move to this area because it is a family-friendly place with a lot of outdoor activities. Unfortunately, out of the entire list, Palm Springs has the highest crime rate. The total crime rate is 77% higher than the national average, and your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 158.

The public schools are rated above average, and there is plenty of activities for the entire family to enjoy. You will notice that there are just a few more renters than homeowners in the neighborhood. The average rent prices per month are $1,186 per month, and ten to be a better price than buying a home.

Kayla Eaton
Kayla Eaton

Kayla is a full-time content creator and her passion is everything green. When she's not writing city-based content at UpgradedHome, her focus is on the environment and sustainability. Kayla loves to travel and is always looking forward to her next vacation!

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