With Cape Coral always atop any given list of “fastest growing cities,” a newly released study shows the area can be touted as just that.

A report compiled by Porch, a home services connector, using newly released 2020 Census data, shows that Cape Coral was the fifth fastest growing midsized city (100,000-plus) in the country since 2010.

New data shows a 29.88% increase in population since 2010, bringing the total number of Cape residents to 200,972. According to the study, the 10-year total population change saw 46,236 new residents. When compared to the rest of the country, the average percent change in population was 6.52%.

“With a 30% increase in population over the past decade and drawing younger residents on a daily basis, Cape Coral is rapidly diversifying its economic base drawing more commercial and industrial establishments to create jobs for the newcomers,” said Cape Coral Economic Development Manager Ricardo Noguera. “Home to the largest population between Miami and Tampa, employers seeking to fill jobs for a workforce with shorter commutes, reasonably priced housing and an excellent work/life balance, the Cape is the best choice.”

The new data also shows that America is now an aging nation, as the age brackets for residents 55 and older are expanding at a pace that far exceeds the younger brackets.

According to the study, over the past decade, the population of retirement-age residents (65 to 74 years old) climbed 48.9% according to Census figures, while those 75 or older grew 24.1%, and those 55 to 64 increased 15.3%.

“In comparison, the total U.S. population increased by just 6.5% over the same time period, with certain age cohorts experiencing a population decline,” the study stated.

Porch officials said such demographic shifts have reshaped the makeup of entire regions, states, and cities as the eldest generation moves from traditional job locations across the Rust Belt and Northeast to more retirement-friendly environments in the West, Southwest, and Southeast.

The midsize city with the greatest increase in percentage of population was Frisco, Texas (77.66%). Other Florida cities to make the list were Port St. Lucie at No. 7 (27.21% change) and Orlando at No. 13 (21% change).

For the full report visit https://porch.com/advice/cities-that-grew-the-most-over-the-past-decade .

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