Florida: government, population and official figures

Florida is a state of the United States, number 3 of 51 by population. Florida had an estimated 23,462,518 residents on 1 July 2025, 6.9% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 3rd largest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.85%, 13th fastest-growing of 51.

Who runs Florida?

The governor is Ron DeSantis. Governor's office. Phone: 1-850-717-9337. Address: The Capitol 400 South Monroe St. Tallahassee , FL 32399-0001.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Florida: The economy of Florida (gross domestic product) was worth $1.81 trillion in 2025 at current prices, 5.9% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 4th largest of 51. In current dollars it was up 5.8% on 2024.
• Health in Florida: Life expectancy at birth in Florida was 77.9 years in 2022, 19th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Florida: 87.3% of public high school students in Florida graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); joint 19th highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Florida: The Census Bureau estimates that 12.1% of people in Florida lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 2,772,367 people; joint 19th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Florida: Florida's state government took in $142.1 billion in fiscal year 2024, $6,107 per resident, 2nd lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Florida

• Florida
• Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
• Department of Children and Families
• Division of Consumer Services
• Department of Corrections
• Local governments
• Department of Education
• Division of Elections
• Division of Emergency Management
• Department of Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Florida

1. Jacksonville 1,017,689 (2025)
2. Miami 489,812 (2025)
3. Tampa 413,554 (2025)
4. Orlando 333,888 (2025)
5. Port St. Lucie 268,062 (2025)
6. St. Petersburg 264,033 (2025)
7. Cape Coral 236,264 (2025)
8. Hialeah 230,968 (2025)
9. Tallahassee 204,902 (2025)
10. Fort Lauderdale 188,677 (2025)
11. Pembroke Pines 176,714 (2025)
12. Hollywood 157,019 (2025)
13. Gainesville 148,671 (2025)
14. Palm Bay 148,092 (2025)
15. Miramar 142,570 (2025)
16. Coral Springs 138,783 (2025)
17. West Palm Beach 127,189 (2025)
18. Lakeland 125,520 (2025)
19. Pompano Beach 117,211 (2025)
20. Clearwater 114,364 (2025)
21. Miami Gardens 113,579 (2025)
22. Davie 110,851 (2025)
23. Palm Coast 109,886 (2025)
24. Boca Raton 101,582 (2025)
25. Fort Myers 101,581 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• Nebraska 2,018,006
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

Up a level: the United States · government and power in the United States · cities

Sources

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