Floridians tend to be annoyed by tourists. Some have accents, drive more aggressively and run screaming out of the ocean when they see harmless moon jellyfish swim across their line of sight.
According to demographic experts, however, some of the tourists may be here to stay.
An article by The Associated Press reported that Florida’s population will surpass that of New York in the next two years, making it the third largest state in the country.
Florida’s population grew at a rate of 2.7 percent from 2010 to 2012, and New York’s population has only been growing at 1 percent per year for the past two years, according to data from the census bureau.
Stanley Smith, population program director at UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, explained some possible reasons for why it’s happening.
People in their 20s, 30s and 40s are attracted to jobs in the tourism, construction, medicine and finance industries, he said.
Those in their 50s and 60s are attracted to the climate.
“Florida has a long history of growth,” he said.
As for the population’s effect on UF, Smith said the “impact will be notable.”
He said campus may not expand physically, but the growth of distance learning could bring UF degrees to more new residents.
Many in- and out-of-state students like Florida for many of the same reasons Smith listed.
Alyssa King, a 19-year-old UF biology freshmen from Rockland County, N.Y. — about 20 minutes outside New York City — said she enjoys the Southern hospitality.
“The people are so nice,” she said. “They open the door for you.”
Sarasota native Shane Ahles, a 21-year-old UF economics junior, said he appreciates the climate.
“I like the fact that you can play sports year-round outside,” he said, adding that he enjoys the beaches as well.
Stella Heekin, who hails from Woodinville, Wash., said she loves attending UF because of the school spirit.
“I spent the most time here out of all my college tours,” the 18-year-old UF public relations freshman said. “The atmosphere is what I wanted.”
A version of this story ran on page 5 on 1/22/2014 under the headline "Move over, New York: Florida soon to become the third-largest state"
