By Gay Cororaton, MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld Chief Economist
For the 5th consecutive year, Port St. Lucie had the fastest population growth among the nation’s 91 largest cities (population of at least 250,000), according to MIAMI REALTORS® + RWorld analysis of the US Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 population estimates. Over the period July 1, 2024- July 2025, Port St. Lucie’s population rose 3.5%. Over a 5-year period from July 2020, population increased 29.6%, also the highest among the nation’s largest cities. Port St. Lucie’s population growth far outstrips the national pace of 0.5% 1-year percent change and 3.1% cumulative percent increase since July 1, 2020.
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In numeric change, Port St. Lucie’s population increased in the by 9,131 people over the period July 1, 2024-July 1, 2025, the 7th largest among the nation’s largest cities. Over the 5-year period from July 2020, Port St. Lucie’s population increased in 61,274 people, the 4th largest. Charlotte, North Carolina has the highest 1-year numeric increase (20,731) while Kansas City, Missouri has the highest 5-year population numeric increase (110,112).
In the city of Miami, the population rose 1.3%, the 11th highest among the nation’s largest cities. In numeric change, population rose by 6,393 people. Over the 5-year period from July 2020, population increased 10.6%, the 5th highest among the nation’s largest cities, translating to a numeric increase of 46,917 people.
Other Florida largest cities that gained population from July 1, 2024 through July 1, 2025 were Jacksonville (0.8%, +8,319), Orlando (+0.4%, 1,233), and Tampa (0.1%, +573).
Domestic migration is driving population growth in Port St. Lucie
What’s driving population growth in Port St. Lucie? The US Census Bureau’s population estimates does not break down the components of change at the city level, but the components of change at the county level reveal what’s driving population growth in Port St. Lucie which accounts for 84% of St. Lucie County’s population increase.
Over the period July 1, 2024- July 1, 2025, St. Lucie County’s population increased by 10,857 people. Ninety percent of this growth was driven by net domestic migration of 9,861 people. Net international migration also increased, adding 1,353 people. The total net migration offset the loss in population of 280 people due to more deaths than births.
Who are the people moving from out-of-state to St. Lucie County? They are likely movers from the nearby counties of Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Martin County, and retirees from New York and New Jersey, based MIAMI REALTORS + RWorld research on migration data from IRS tax records for 2022-2023 tax years (latest available). See Palm Beach County: #1 in the Nation in Net Inflow of Income from Domestic Migration Per Latest IRS Tax Data – MIAMI REALTORS®
Driver license exchanges in Saint Lucie County in the first quarter of 2026 show an increase in migration compared to one year ago from New York (+16%) and New Jersey (+25%) Miami Sees Double-Digit Spike in Domestic Migration; New York, California, and Texas Lead Inflows – MIAMI REALTORS®
No state taxes, the lower cost of housing, and the warm climate are the factors driving migration into Port St. Lucie. As of April 2026, the median single-family sales price in Port St. Lucie was $400,000 and $388,057 in St. Lucie County. In neighboring Palm Beach County and Martin County, the median single-family median sales price is $650,000. The new pied-a-terra tax on second homes of over $5 million in New York City could drive more home purchases among second homebuyers into South Florida.
New York City and Los Angeles have largest numeric population declines
New York city had the largest population decline of 12,196 people over the period July 1, 2024- July 1, 2025, or 0.1% of the population. Over the 5-year period, the city lost 166,559 people, or 1.9% of the population.
Los Angeles city had the next largest numeric population decline over the period July 1, 2024- July 1, 2025, or 0.1% of the population. Over the 5-year period, the city lost 27,384 people, or 0.7% of the population.
The only Florida city with a population of at least 250,000 that lost population from July 1, 2024- July 1, 2025 was St. Petersburg, losing 1,822 people or 0.7% of its population. However, compared to July 1, 2020 population, St. Petersburg population still has 4,728 more people or an increase of 1.8%.
