The Villages, Fla., Nation’s Fastest-Growing Metro Area for Second Year in a Row – Florida was home to the nation’s fastest growing metro area from 2013 to 2014, according to new U.S. Census Bureau metropolitan statistical area, micropolitan statistical area and county population estimates released today. The Villages, located to the west of the Orlando metro area, grew by 5.4 percent between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014, to reach a population of about 114,000. State population estimates released in December revealed that Florida had become the nation’s third most populous state. Today’s estimates show Florida’s growth to reach this milestone was propelled by numerous metro areas and counties within the state. Florida contained seven of the nation’s top 50 numerically gaining metro areas between July 1, 2013, and July 1, 2014, and these areas accounted for more than three-quarters of the state’s population gain over the period:

• Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach (with a one-year gain of about 66,000).
• Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford (about 50,000).
• Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater (about 41,000).
• Jacksonville (about 23,000).
• Cape Coral-Fort Myers (about 18,000).
• North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton (about 16,000).
• Lakeland-Winter Haven (about 11,000).”