Orlando is now the 20th most populous region in the country.
ORLANDO, Florida – It’s common knowledge that more and more people are choosing to live in Florida. And, according to new data, the Orlando area is emerging as one of the top destinations for those who decide to settle down.
According to information released by the Orlando Economic Partnership based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of the Orlando metropolitan area grew by 2.7% in 2024, exceeding the Florida state average of 2.0%.
This result earned Orlando the title of the fastest-growing large metropolitan area in the United States, ranking first among the country's 30 most populous metropolitan areas.
The most recent estimates show that the Orlando metropolitan area (MSA – Metropolitan Statistical Area) gained approximately 76,000 new residents between July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024. This represents about 1,500 new residents per week, bringing the region’s total population to 2,940,513.
This rapid growth has propelled Orlando to the 20th most populous region in the U.S., reflecting a national trend of migration to the southern part of the country, particularly to states such as Texas, Florida, and North Carolina.
According to the Orlando Economic Partnership, international migration is currently the main factor driving population growth in the region.
Since the 2020 Census, Orlando has welcomed 267,126 new residents —a number comparable to the combined population of its four largest neighboring cities: Kissimmee, Sanford, St. Cloud, and Apopka. It is worth noting that nearly 65% of this growth came from international migration, while 25% is due to domestic migration (people coming from other parts of the U.S.) and only 10% to natural growth (the difference between births and deaths).
