Discover The Largest Cities In Florida

In recent years, Florida has emerged as one of the fastest-growing states, a remarkable transformation from its historical roots to the Spanish colonial era. Following the First Treaty of Paris in 1763, Florida exchanged hands from Spanish rule to the British Empire in return for Spanish Cuba and the Philippines, both under British control then. However, it wasn’t until 1821 that Florida declared its independence, marking the beginning of its cultural and economic evolution, which truly blossomed after World War II. As early as the early 1900s, American, Caribbean, and Jewish investors recognized the potential of Florida’s vibrant cities like Palm Beach and Miami, igniting a surge in land and property interest. Among these cities, Orlando stands out as a culturally significant historical hub with deep-rooted connections to freedom and civil rights, owing much to its exceptionally diverse population, comprising African Americans and Hispanic ethnicities.

​​Jacksonville 

Jacksonville played significant national importance long before European settlement, as it was home to the Timucuan Indians for a period that can be traced back to 500 BC. Florida's largest city was initially donated land by two settlers along St. Johns River who saw the potential of developing a "proper" town in 1822, supporting the economic boom of the two major plantations along the river. The Early 1900s were a turning point that carved the once-empty land into the melting pot of cultures it has become, with neighborhoods, parks, and more being built in 1920. The recorded population of Jacksonville in 2022 was 971,319, according to the US Census report. The population of Florida’s largest city has been steadily increasing in population. Today, Jacksonville is nationally renowned for being home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, a diverse community of creatives, endless murals, and famous Rock and roll bands like The Allman Brothers and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Some of the main tourist attractions in Jacksonville, Florida, include the Cummer Museum Of Art and Gardens, the Jacksonville Zoo, the historic Kingsley Plantation, and MOSH The Museum Of Science and History. 

Miami 

Miami was officially incorporated as a city with 444 residents in 1896 and was named after the Miami River and the Native American tribes that lived around the area. Miami is a gateway to Latin America, one of Florida’s most popular vacation and entertainment cities. Like many major cities in the Sunshine State, Miami didn’t see its economic boom until after World War II, when Cubans fleeing the dictatorship of Fidel Castro and relocating American Servicemen stabilized its economy, attracting many more foreigners in the 1960s for its mix of cultural influence. With a population of about 442,,799 in 2022, Miami attracts the rich and famous worldwide for its perfect weather, top-tier nightlife, upscale communities, year-round events, and Spanish-influenced culture and cuisine. Nicknamed the Magic City, some of Miami’s main tourist attractions and must-see destinations include South Beach, Ocean Drive, Little Havanna, the lush Vizcaya Museum and Garden, and the artistic murals of Wynwood walls. Miami is also home to nationally renowned universities like Florida International University, Florida Memorial University, st. Thomas University, and The University of Miami. Before visiting the "305", it’s important to note that parties don’t start until midnight, food prices are relatively high compared to neighboring cities, and locals go all-in on fashion, so prepare to spend big and dress fancy. 

Tampa 

Tampa is the third largest city in Florida by population and was initially founded as a military center in the 19th century with Fort Brooke. The city sits along Florida’s Gulf Coast and plays a dominant role in Florida’s business sector, nationally renowned as home to America’s largest cigar producer, Ybor City. However, Tampa has come a long way from Cigar production, as today it’s home to an extensive array of business industries in the financial, insurance, and technology sectors. Tampa reached a population total of 398,173 in 2022. Nicknamed the Guava City, it is nationally renowned for having some of the best city beaches, family-fun amusement parks, and Bayshore Boulevard, the United States’ largest continuous sidewalk. Busch Gardens, a 355-acre animal-themed amusement park, stands as one of the city’s prominent attractions, along with the Tampa Museum of Art and the breathtaking castle-shaped Tampa Bay Hotel built in the late 1800s to encourage tourism. Universities in Tampa include the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa, which was founded in 1931. The best time to visit Tampa is during the tourist season from January to May, for the perfect weather and range of seasonal events like the Gasparilla Music Festival in February and the Tampa River Fest in the first week of May. 

Orlando 

Orlando, Florida, was initially named Jernigan and was renamed in 1857 after Orlando Reeves, an army sentry. The city was originally home to the Timucua and Seminole people. Officially recognized as a city in 1885, Orlando is the county seat of Orange County, Florida, and one of the most visited cities in America. With a population of 307,733 residents, Orlando is home to world-class tourist attractions like Seaworld, the 1990 Universal Studios, and the Walt Disney World Resort. The city also attracts thousands of students annually with its globally renowned educational institutions, such as the University of Central Florida, which ranks among the top 200 in the United States, and Rollins College, which ranks first among regional universities in the south, according to the US World and News Report. The city is easily accessible by public transportation, with all its theme parks and entertainment destinations conveniently located within a 20 km radius. 

St. Petersburg

St. Petersburg’s settlement history dates back to the 1840s. However, it wasn’t until a railroad system was built by founders John C. Williams and Peter Demens that the city’s economy began to thrive. The city of St. Petersburg today is heavily reliant on tourism and was the first city in Florida to encourage new residents, according to Britannica’s overview of St. Petersburg’s history. In 2022, the city’s population was 259,997 residents, and it has grown to be one of the largest cities in Florida. From world-class museums like the Museum of Fine Arts, the Florida Holocaust Museum, and the Florida Orchestra, St. Petersburg is a major cultural and artistic hub in Florida. Thus, the city fosters creativity and is a creative incubator of national talents. Home to Stenson University’s College of Law, St. Petersburg College, and Eckerd College, the city attracts 150,000 students annually. Visitors can catch year-round events like Florida’s largest Pride celebration, the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, and SHINE Mural based on what time of year they visit.  

Hialeah 

One of the most bilingual cities in America, Hialeah is known for its Cuban population, as visitors will find a strong influence of Hispanic culture from buildings to street signs and delicious cuisine. Hialeah is one of the newer largest cities of Florida, with settling that began in 1912. The Tequesta and Seminole Indians initially inhabited the area and saw solid industrial development after World War II. With 222,390 residents, the city is an industrial center and a significant technological, financial, and health employer. Major companies in the town include Telemundo, Centuri, and G&R Electric, along with a broad range of small mom-and-pop shops. Hialeah’s main tourist attractions include the Historic Hialeah Park Race Track converted into a casino and event center, the 515-acre Amelia Earhart Park, which encompasses five lakes, and the Leah Arts District brimming with vibrant murals. 

Port St. Lucie

Officially incorporated in 1961 as a residential city, Port St. Lucie began as an agricultural community, with Pineapple production playing a key role in the city’s economic growth. According to Britannica, Port St. Lucie was initially planned as a retirement community that was developed to incorporate a diverse age range of residents. Port St. Lucie recorded a total population of 206,808 in 2022, ranking it as the seventh largest city in The Sunshine State. Port St. Lucie stands out from other Major Florida cities for offering an abundance of recreational outdoor opportunities in vast, lush waterside parks and expansive preserves like the Savannas Preserve State Park, Oxbow Eco-Center, Winterlakes Park, and Woodland Trails Park. Accompanied by an extensive range of golf courses, Port St. Lucie is one of Florida's best cities to visit for nature-centric family fun. 

Cape Coral 

Finally, the canal-rich city wraps up one of the largest cities in Florida, ranking as the eighth largest city. The founding history of Cape Coral dates back to 1948 when two real-estate specialized brothers recognized the potential of the area, purchased it, and began the city-planned development. The city recorded a population of 195,408 in 2022, according to The US Census Bureau, boasting a convenient location on the Gulf of Mexico near Sanibel Island and 131.5 mi from Tampa, Florida, and its world-class entertainment destinations. Owing to its location surrounded by water, Cape Coral has over 400 miles of canals and waterways designed to prevent flooding, earning it the nickname 'Waterfront Wonderland.' These canals add to Cape Coral’s charm and appeal of residency with homes that sit directly on the waterfront for those looking to enjoy the boat and yacht-owner lifestyle. With Humid subtropical weather and no cold, the best time to visit Cape Coral is January through May. 

Booming Metropolises: A Double-Edged Sword

Ultimately, the largest cities of Florida continue to increase in popularity and attract new residents from all around the world for their cultural richness, perfect weather, and serene beaches. Sadly, due to the state's unique coastal setting, population growth also means increased vulnerability to natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and more.