Florida to Pass New York State's Population

ABC News ^ | 01/03/2014 | MIKE SCHNEIDER

[SeekAndFind]

Sometime this year, Florida will surpass New York in population, becoming the nation's third-most populous state, and sun-seeking seniors are not driving the growth.

The milestone is validation of the increasing influence of the Sunshine State as it approaches being home to 20 million residents. Once Florida passes New York, only California and Texas will have more people.

"Florida is kind of an icon of the 21st century in terms of the shifting population and the growing role Latin America is playing in transforming the country," said James Johnson, a business professor at the University of North Carolina. "I think it's going to be for the 21st century what California or New York was for the 20th century."

Florida encompasses many trends in America: an aging population, a service-oriented economy with many low-wage jobs and an ethnic diversity propelled by Hispanic growth. Like the United States, Florida is a haven for migrants and people making fresh starts, and the state's 29 electoral votes are the nation's most coveted given Florida is the nation's largest swing state. Florida also has myriad problems, some the result of its explosive growth, which must be addressed for the state to keep thriving.

[Count of Monte Fisto]

alter the 14th Amendment so that people do not become US citizens simply because they are born in the US

We should eliminate birth right citizenship altogether. If you born here you should have to take the same written (in English!) citizenship test that given to legal immigrants. And make the test harder.

[Cementjungle]

There is more crowding, more traffic, more crime, more pressure on the environment, more demand for more handouts, for more government spending and for more government in every aspect of life.

Everything's relative I guess. I moved here from L.A. (Hollywood actually) and everything is easier and better. I can park most places for free, what people call "traffic" here is a joke, everything is just nicer. I have an acre of land, am near everything I need... and the stores and things are clean and friendly (and everyone speaks English).

[SeekAndFind]

Just where in Florida are you in? I don’t think it’s Miami you’re describing...

[Cementjungle]

No, I wouldn’t move to Miami... I’m in Delray Beach. Still nice and close to airports and everything, but much nicer.

[hal ogen]

One of the problems for FLA is that many who move there from NY bring their idiot ideas with them.

[bill1952]

Yep. When the posters say more crime more etc etc, they fail to put it in perspective.
I moved from Pennsylvania back in 81 and there is no comparison between here and there even now.
Pa has fallen...