Florida is a state located in the Southeaster United States with a population of 21.78 million people as of 2021. Florida is bordered to the north by the states of Georgia and Alabama. Florida’s official nickname is “the Sunshine State”. Florida is the third most populous state in the U.S. behind California and New York. The population of Florida is racially diverse, with a large percentage of Hispanic and Latino residents. Florida’s marriage and divorce laws contribute to a high marriage and divorce rate. The state’s low taxes contribute to a strong economy. Florida has the 4th largest economy in the U.S. behind only California, Texas and New York in terms of gross domestic product (GDP).
Where is Florida Located on a Map?
Florida is located in the southeast corner of the United States on the North American continent. Florida is bordered to the east by the Atlantic ocean, and to the west by the Gulf of Mexico. The highest point in Florida is Britton Hill with an elevation of 345 feet (105.15m).
56% of Florida is covered by forrest. Florida has 1350 miles (2170km) of coastline and is second only to Alaska.
What Are Florida’s Coordinates?
Florida’s coordinates are 27.994402° north latitude and -81.760254° west longitude.
What is the Time Zone in Florida?
Florida is in the eastern and central time zone. The Apalachicola River divides the Eastern and Central Time zones in the state of Florida.
The Eastern Time zone is 5 hours behind Greenwich mean time (GMT-5) during the winter months, also known as Eastern Standard Time (EST) and is 4 hours behind Greenwich mean (GMT-4) during the summer months, also known as Easter Daylight Time (EDT).
What Are Florida’s Neighboring States?
Florida’s neighboring states include Alabama and Georgia. Alabama is located northwest of Florida and the length of the border is approximately 260 miles. Florida is south of the state of Georgia.
What is the Area of Florida?
The surface area of Florida is 65,757 square miles (170,311 square km). Florida is the 22nd largest state in the United States. Florida’s surface area and population contribute to a population density of 416.96 people per square mile. Florida has the 7th highest population density of all U.S. states.
What is the Population of Florida?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau the population of Florida in 2021 is 21.78 million people. In terms of population size, Florida is the third most populous state in the U.S.A. The population of Florida has increased every year between 2010 and 2022 by an average of 1.4% per year.
Population censuses in the U.S. are held every 10 years according to the U.S. Census Bureau. According to macro trends the population of Florida grew 1.1% from 2020 to 2021.
What Are the Population Demographics of Florida?
As of 2020, the average age of the population of Florida is 42.2 years based on the 2020 U.S. Census Bureau data. The life expectancy of the population of Florida is 77.5 according to the Centers for Disease control. Florida ranks 19th amongst all U.S. states in terms of life expectancy.
Florida’s population is predominantly urban with 82.1% of the state’s population living in cities. The remaining population distribution is 13.9% suburban and 4.0% rural. The south of Florida is the most densely populated part of the state.
What are the Racial Demographics in Florida?
The racial demographics of Florida are listed below.
- 55.3% White (non-Hispanic)
- 26.6% Hispanic or Latino
- 14.5% black or African American
- 3.6% Asian
- .4% American Indian
- .1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- 9.5% Other
The largest concentration of Hispanic or Latino people are in South Florida, while the White (non-Hispanic) population is evenly distributed throughout the state.
What is the Marriage Rate in Florida?
The marriage rate in Florida is 6.8 marriages per 1,000 residents as of 2021. This is a 19% increase over 2020 when the marriage rate was 5.7% or 5.7 marriages per 1,000 residents.
What is the Divorce Rate in Florida?
The divorce rate in Florida is 13% or 13 divorces per 1,000 residents. This is the 6th highest divorce rate amongst U.S. states. Florida’s divorce rate has been roughly the same for the past decade. The white (non-Hispanic) and American Indian population have the highest divorce rate of any race in Florida. Pinellas county has the highest divorce rate of all Florida counties at 15%. A low cost of living, aging population, and no-fault divorce laws all contribute to the higher divorce rate of the state.
What Are the Biggest Cities by Population in Florida?
Florida’s top 10 cities by population are listed below.
- Jacksonville
- Miami
- Tampa
- Orlando
- St. Petersburg
- Port St. Lucie
- Hialeah
- Cape Coral
- Tallahassee
- Fort Lauderdale
The largest city in Florida both in terms of population and surface area is Jacksonville with 971,319 people and an area of 874.4 sq miles (2,24.84 km²). The oldest city in Florida is St. Augustine which was founded on September 7, 1565.
What is the Capitol City of Florida?
The capitol of Florida is Tallahassee. Tallahassee is Floridas 9th largest city with a population of 201,731 according to Florida Demographics. Tallahassee has an area of 98.2 square miles (254.3 km²). Tallahassee became the state capitol of Florida in 1824 while it was the Florida Territory.
The city of Tallahassee is located in north-central Florida about 18 miles south of the Georgia border. Tallahassee’s coordinates are 30.4383°North, and 84.2796°west. Interstate 10 runs east and west through the city of Tallahassee.
Tallahassee is home to Florida State University, with a student population of over 70,000. Tallahassee is the site of the Florida Supreme Court, the Florida State Capitol building, and the Florida Governor’s Mansion.
What Are Florida’s Laws?
The laws of the state of Florida are codified in the Florida Statutes, which are a permanent collection of state laws organized into 52 titles and further divided into chapters, parts, and sections. These laws are updated annually by the state legislature. These laws govern everything from marriage, divorce, immigration, gun ownership, illegal and recreational drugs, and more.
What Are Florida’s Marriage Laws?
Florida’s marriages laws govern the process of getting married in the state. The purpose of Florida’s marriage laws is to ensure that marriages are legal, valid, and entered into freely and voluntarily. Both individuals must be 18 years of age or older to be married in Florida. Anyone under the age of 18 will require parental consent to get married. Both persons must also be “free to marry”, meaning they are not currently married to anyone else. Before getting married it is necessary to obtain a marriage license from the clerk of the circuit court in the county in which the couple will be married.
Is Gay Marriage Legal in Florida?
Yes, gay marriage is legal in the state of Florida. Same sex-marriages were legalized in Florida on January 6, 2015 as a ruling in Brenner v. Scott from the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida. This ruling replaced a 1977 statute that had banned same-sex marriages as well as prohibiting the recognition of same-sex marriages from other jurisdictions.
What Are the Florida Divorce Laws?
Florida is a “no-fault” divorce state. The divorce laws in Florida do not require that a spouse prove that the other spouse is at fault for the marriage failing. It is only necessary to demonstrate that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” The two types of divorce in Florida are uncontested and contested.
Uncontested divorces are the most common and occur when both spouses agree on the terms of the divorce such as child custody, child support, alimony, and the division of assets. Contested divorces occur when the divorcing spouses cannot agree on the terms of the divorce. In these cases a judge will make decisions on the legal aspects of divorce, or the couple can reach agreement through the process of mediation.
Is Divorce Mediation Mandatory in Florida?
No, Florida law does not require divorcing couples go through mediation. Some counties within Florida such as Pinellas, Pascoe, and Hillsborough counties do require couples attend divorce mediation before a case can be litigated.
What Are the Florida Immigration Laws?
Florida’s immigration laws are designed to address and regulate the problems relating to unauthorized illegal aliens in the state of Florida. Florida’s immigration laws are generally aligned with U.S. Federal immigration laws. However, Senate Bill 1718 (FL 1718), which was signed into law on July 1, 2023 aims to further limit the influx of illegal aliens by strengthening measures against human smuggling, enhancing penalties for certain immigration-related offenses, requiring employers to use the E-Verify system, and imposes consequences for knowingly employing illegal aliens such as the suspension of a business or professional license.
What Are Florida’s Gun Laws?
As of July 1, 2023 Florida is a constitutional carry state, meaning that permitless concealed carry is legal for anyone 21 years of age or older who is not prohibited by law to carry a firearm. Florida is the 26th constitutional carry state in the United States. Florida does not require a license or background check, or registration when purchasing a handgun from a private individual. Open carry of a firearm is not legal in the state of Florida except when engaged in hunting, fishing, camping, or target practice at an indoor firing range.
Florida is a castle doctrine state, meaning there is no duty to retreat if an individual is attacked in any place where they have a lawful right to be. Individuals can stand their ground and meet force with force, including the use of deadly force, if it is necessary to prevent great bodily harm or death to the individual or others.
What Are Florida’s Weed Laws?
Florida’s weed laws make it illegal to possess, sell, distribute, or grow marijuana. Possession of 20 gram or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor that is punishable by a maximum fine of $1,000 and a maximum of one (1) year of imprisonment. Possession of more than 20 grams up to 25 pounds (lbs) of marijuana is a felony punishable by a maximum fine of $5,000 and 5 years in prison.
The recreational use of marijuana is illegal in the State of Florida. Some counties, such as Alachua, Broward, Miami-Dade, Osceola, Palm Beach, Volusia, and West Palm Beach county have decriminalized possession of marijuana by issuing civil citations for possession rather than pressing criminal charges. The fines associated with these civil citations for possession of up to 20 grams (20g) of cannabis are listed below.
- First offense: $75-$100
- Second offense: $150-$250
- Third offense: $300-$500
Some areas offer alternatives to paying a fine such as community service or attending a drug education program.
Medical marijuana became legal in Florida with the passage of Amendment 2 in 2016. A medical marijuana use registry identification card is required to purchase medical marijuana. These cards can be purchased at medical marijuana treatment centers throughout the state.
How is the Economy of Florida?
The economy of Florida has a gross domestic product (GDP) of $1.389 trillion. Florida’s economy is the 4th largest in the United States and the 16th largest in the world according to the International Monetary Fund. The unemployment rate in Florida is one of the lowest in the nation.
What Are the Largest Industries In Florida?
The 10 largest sectors of the Florida economy are listed in the table below.
| Industry | Revenue in Billions (USD) |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | $204.88 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $110.27 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance | $99.17 |
| Wholesale Trade | $79.74 |
| Retail Trade | $73.56 |
| Finance and Insurance | $69.34 |
| Information | $69.08 |
| Manufacturing | $59.09 |
| Administration, Business Support and Waste Management Services | $52.76 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | $47.63 |
The real estate sector is by far the largest in terms of GDP at $204.8 billion followed by professional, scientific, and technical services at $110 billion according to IBISWorld.com.
What is the GDP Per Capita in Florida?
Florida’s gross domestic product per capita as of 2023 is $62,446, which is a 6.9% increase over the 2022 GDP per capita. Florida’s GDP per capita ranks 37th among all U.S. states. This is a 43.5% increase in GDP per capita since 1997. The minimum wage in Florida is $12.00 per hour. Florida ranks 30th among U.S. states for minimum wage according to Rich States Poor States.
What is the Unemployment Rate in Florida?
Florida’s unemployment rate is 2.8% as of October 2023 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The total number of unemployed individuals is 318,000, with 34,000 claiming unemployment insurance. Florida’s. Florida’s unemployment rate ranks 13th among all U.S. states. Florida’s low unemployment rate is attributed to a strong economy and a low tax burden.
What Are the Taxes in Florida?
The taxes in Florida include corporate income tax, sales tax, and real estate taxes. Floridians pay an average of 4.4% of their personal income in taxes. Florida ranks 49th overall in tax burden. Only South Dakota and New Hampshire are lower.
What Is the Income Tax Rate in Florida?
The corporate income tax rate in the State of Florida is 5.50%. Florida’s corporate income tax rate ranks 33rd among all U.S. states. The low corporate income tax rate and low overall tax burden has led to 8.9% of all publicly traded corporations moving their headquarters to Florida between March 2022 and March 2023.
Is There a Personal Income Tax in Florida?
No, Florida does not have a personal income tax. In addition the capital gains rate in Florida is 0%.
What is the Sales Tax Rate in Florida?
Florida’s sales tax rate is 6%. The list below contains exceptions to the general sales tax rate.
- retail sales of new mobile homes: 3%
- Rental, lease, or license of commercial real estate: 4.5%
- Electric Utilities: 6.95%
- Amusement machine receipts when operated by a church or synagogues: 4%
Local sales tax rates in Florida can be as high as 1.5%, bringing the total sales tax to 7.5% in certain counties.
What is the Property Tax Rate in Florida?
Florida’s average property tax rate is .98%. This rate is slightly lower than the national average of 1.08% in the United States. According to the Florida constitution, all property tax rates are set by the state’s local governments, such as county and city governments, as well as school districts.
Florida’s property taxes are implemented using millage rates. A millage rate is one-tenth of one percent or $1 in property taxes for every $1,000 of the home’s appraised value. The low property taxes in Florida contribute to it’s increasing population and strong economy, especially the real estate industry.