St. Johns Adds 13,000 Residents in Latest Census Report

If it feels a bit more crowded on the highways and byways of St. Johns County, it’s not your imagination.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 Vintage Population Estimates, St. Johns County’s population grew by just over 4% between July 2022 and July 2023 to 320,110. The increase follows a trend already underway that saw the county’s population go up between 13,000 and 16,000 annually since 2020.

That growth comes as county officials are working on strategic and comprehensive planning efforts.

“This is a wonderful time for the community to let their voices be heard on the services, program and desired direction of the county through our strategic plan and comprehensive plan,” said Wayne Larson, St. Johns County director of public affairs. Residents can view the  Comprehensive Plan at www.SJCPlanUpdate.com and the Strategic Plan at www.sjcfl.us/sjc-strategic-plan/

St. Johns County’s growth also mirrors changing demographics across the Sunshine State.

According to the Census Bureau report, Florida is home to four of the five fastest-growing metro areas in the nation by percentage. Led by The Villages at No. 2 and Lakeland/Winter Haven in the second spot, the list also includes Ocala in fourth and Port St. Lucie in Fifth spot.

In addition, three of the top 10 metro areas for annual numeric growth are in Florida, including the Orlando/Kissimmee/Sanford area, Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater and Miami/Fort Lauderdale/West Palm Beach.

On average, counties in the South experienced faster growth in 2023 than in 2022, according to the Census Bureau report. Approximately 67% of the counties in the region experienced population gains in 2023, up from 59% in 2022. In Florida, 96% of the state’s 67 counties saw population increases with only three – Leon, Monroe and Pinellas – losing population.

Nationally, the number of counties with positive net domestic migration increased in all other regions except the West, where 253 counties experienced positive domestic migration in 2023, down from 275 counties in 2022. The Northeast saw the largest increase in the share of counties with positive domestic migration from 44% in 2022 to 52% in 2023. The number of southern counties with positive rates of domestic migration increased from 957 in 2022 to 1,014 in 2023, while the number of those counties in the Midwest increased from 561 to 581.

International migration also had an impact in the state, with Miami-Dade County claiming the top spot with 54,457new residents from outside the U.S., followed by Harris County, Texas with 41,665.

Larson said county officials are working to create a strategy for economic growth as the population continues to increase.

“The Board of County Commissioners will consider an economic strategic plan for a long-range vision for the business growth of the community, and we continue to partner with the Chamber of Commerce on projects,” he said.