Fastest Growing Florida Cities

So what are the fastest growing Florida cities? Well, the U.S. Census Bureau has data that shows the population growth in the country in 2023. A lot of people are moving to the south and Texas seems to be the place. They are landing. Although there are two Florida cities that are the fastest growing Florida cities. Cities come in the top 15 of the largest population growth in the country. this is based on the increase in percentage of the population of the city

Coming in at #7 on the list is Polk County’s very own Haines City. Haines City has seen an increase of 10.8% with a population of 37,272 people. The second city on the fastest growing Florida cities list is Leesburg. Leesburg comes in at #14 in the country. It has seen an increase of 8.7% with a population of 31,721 people.

Below you will see thew fastest growing cities in the United States. The percentage next to the city shows the increase of people coming into the city. A lot of people are moving to Texas. The top 4 cities on the list are in Texas.

Haines City is located in Polk County. It is east of Lakeland, but still south of I-4. Haines City is named after Henry Haines, who was a Colonel in the Confederate States Army.

Leesburg is located in Lake County. It is located 80 miles northeast of Tampa, but is 50 miles northwest Orlando. Leesburg is named after Evander McIver Lee and his brothers who settled in that area in 1857.

Do you remember any of these 4 Tampa Bay area malls that have closed down? It's so sad when malls close and it seems like it is happening a lot these days. I live in St. Petersburg and often go to Tyrone Square mall. They are still open but sadly my friend just had to close down here store that was in there. The economy is getting worse but it's also cheaper to shop online. You can find some of the same outfits you find in stores on SHEIN. In the stores the outfit could be $60 but on SHEIN $10. Some people still prefer shopping at mall's however.

Do you still shop at the mall? I am a person who still shops in person. I still love the feeling of trying things on. Even though it's cheaper online, you still don't really know how it's going to fit you when you receive the package. The process of sending things back is also exhausting. It sucks when your package arrives and you cant fit the item that you need for an event that is happening soon. The best bet is always just to read the reviews from people who have purchased that item.

How long have you lived in the Tampa Bay area? Are there any malls that were once opened that you miss? Feel free to email me Babs@wild941.com. I just moved here 4 years ago and I'm shocked that the University mall is still standing. I'm happy it is, but its a ghost town every time I'm there. I mostly go there for the Look-Dine in theater. What is your favorite mall currently in the Tampa Bay Area? Below you will find 4 Tampa Bay area malls that have closed down.

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East Lake Square Mall was opened in 1976. It was the first regional mall on Tampa's eastside. East Lake was home to Dillards, Montgomery Ward, JCPenney and Service Merchandise. In 1988 less people started shopping because  Brandon Town Center opened up nearby. In 1999 they turned it into a technology office campus called Netpark.

Pinellas Park Mall was opened in 1977 at Us 19 and Gandy Boulevard. In 1977 the mall started to suffer due to the closing of Montgomery Ward. The mall closed after Dillard's closed down in 2004. Pinellas Park Mall is now called the Shoppes at park place. You know, the shopping plaza with the big Target.

In 1976 the Tampa Bay Center opened up. The Tampa Bay Center was Tampa's 4th major mall. In 1994 they were accused of racism after they closed early to avoid being packed with fans who were going to the Florida classic.  The Florida Classic is a game between FAMU and Bethune Cookman ( Both historically black colleges) The mall was close by the Tampa stadium which always hosted the games. In 2005 the mall was demolished and turned into the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training  facility.