Move over, New York. The state of Florida is about to SQUEEZE you out. Sometime this year, according to census statistics, No. 4 Florida will become No. 3 in total population. Some experts say it could have already happened. The reason is not that New York is losing residents—it’s been growing at roughly 1 percent in recent years. Florida’s rate of growth, meanwhile, has been more than double during the same period. Florida’s slow but steady ascent began decades ago, and by July 2013 New York stood at 19.65 million, just barely (roughly 100,000) ahead of Florida’s 19.55 million.
Is bigger better? Demographers believe so. Florida, they say, has turned a housing bubble into a business magnet, thanks to an enticing economic climate.
More juice, please.