TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida, currently home to nearly 20 million people, is expected to have about 34 million residents by 2070 -- and it could be problematic for the state.
The nonprofit organization 1000 Friends of Florida just released a forecast titled Florida 2070, which shows the state is projected to add nearly 15 million more people in the next 50 or so years.
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With more people comes more development, but that could hurt the environment.
“If we continue existing development patters, more than one-third of the state will be developed by 2070,” said Vivian Young, of the group 1000 Friends of Florida.
The area between Tampa and Daytona can expect the most change, as the forecast predicts nearly half of that land will see new development.
A growing population is always good for business, developer and real estate agent Josh Kasper said.
“I think that the law of supply and demand will create more opportunity for developers, contractors, and everyone associated with building,” Kasper said.
But some say the state needs to be careful, so it’s not overrun.
“Smart development would be taking into account some of the developments that need revitalization, and the infrastructure improvements that are aging and getting older,” Kasper said. “And the market could use an update.”
One suggestion from the report recommends building up, and more compactly, while also focusing on conservation lands.
The group 1000 Friends of Florida worked with the University of Florida and the state’s Department of Agriculture on the study.