The Most ‘Charming’ Town in Florida
Small towns are always charming places to visit, no matter the season, but driving across American and experiencing the small towns that the country has to offer just feels extra…
Small towns are always charming places to visit, no matter the season, but driving across American and experiencing the small towns that the country has to offer just feels extra good in the summer months. Thankfully, this state has so many fantastic small towns, some of them very popular and others more secret. Whether visiting a small town that's packed with tourists or off the radar, it's always the perfect time to head to a small town.
A Charming Small Town
Love Exploring has a feature out about most charming small towns in each state. It really sheds some positive light on these small communities and what they have to offer. In the piece, they named the most charming small city in every state, being "places that offer the culture, charm, and character of the big hitters, but at a far more laid-back pace."
A small town is also referred to as an "incorporated place," and according to the U.S. Census, "About 76% of incorporated places have fewer than 5000 people and about a third of those have less than 500 people." While it might seem like small towns are becoming more popular across the U.S., that's correct for certain areas, but according to the U.S. Census, "On average, small cities and towns, with populations of less than 5,000 people, have seen uneven growth across U.S. regions."
The report adds that since 2010, the population in large southern cities has grown by an average of 11.8%, but in the West, small towns saw the largest growth with an increase of 13.3%. Small towns also decreased in the Northeast and Midwest and increased in the South, according to the same report.
Now, let's get to Florida. Love Exploring raves about St. Augustine, which is about three and a half hours from Tampa and five and a half hours from Fort Myers. "Founded by the Spanish in 1565, its Old City charms with narrow streets, museums, and 18th- and 19th-century buildings – some said to be haunted," they state. "Beyond the historic center, residents and visitors enjoy tranquil beaches and nearby Anastasia State Park."
