Rapid growth, major investments mark Jacksonville’s spot as a rising powerhouse
Writer: Pablo Marquez
September 2025 — Jacksonville is rapidly emerging as one of the country’s fastest-growing large cities, securing the third spot in a new nationwide study by CoWorkingCafe measuring economic momentum. Jacksonville currently ranks just behind Austin, TX, and Sacramento, CA, which claimed first and second place, respectively.
Jacksonville is making a particularly strong showing in the analysis, recording a remarkable 9% population increase and welcoming roughly 14,000 new residents between mid-2022 and mid-2023. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Jacksonville ranked among the top 15 U.S. cities for population growth in 2024, gaining 16,365 new residents and bringing its total population to 1,009,833. Simultaneously, Jacksonville’s labor force grew 3.8% in 2023 (adding over 32,000 workers), with private-sector employment up 3.4% (adding 24,200 jobs).
That demographic growth is being matched by economic expansion, including a 43% jump in GDP, a 10% boost in housing development, and a 25% surge in exports. Jacksonville’s economic takeoff in 2025 is being fueled by growth in aviation, fintech development, strong job creation, and strategic new partnerships. At the same time, Jacksonville is among 20 communities chosen to join the Southern Cities Economic Initiative, a three-year program led by the National League of Cities. The initiative will offer grant funding and support aimed at increasing economic mobility for residents while promoting long-term economic growth in participating cities.
Jacksonville is preparing for its future with major investments in infrastructure, including airport upgrades, road expansions, and enhanced storm drainage systems. Significant downtown revitalization, including the Jaguars’ “Stadium of the Future,” has revitalized the urban core. Ambitious riverfront developments and new corporate office projects signal strong investor confidence. The city is attracting high-skill industries such as life sciences, cybersecurity, and robotics, as well as strengthening industry-academia links. Major financial gains have followed, including a 13% increase in tax revenue (totaling approximately $13.35 million).
“We’re seeing a lot of interest in Jacksonville in both the office, financial services, particularly, sector as well as manufacturing and distribution,” said Kirk Wenland, executive director of the City of Jacksonville Office of Economic Development, as cited by yahoo!News.
At the heart of Jacksonville’s export boom is JAXPORT, one of the busiest seaports in the country. It contributes more than $44 billion of economic output annually to the regional economy and supports over 258,800 jobs, solidifying the city’s role as a logistics and trade hub. Jacksonville’s connectivity is also on the rise since it welcomed new airlines at its international airport and introduced a hypersonic aircraft testing facility at Cecil Airport, bringing around 100 high-wage tech jobs. Two new airlines, Avelo and Breeze, have launched one-way destination routes at Jacksonville International Airport, a move expected to boost tourism in the area.
“We are proud to announce another nonstop route at JAX with service to the Philadelphia region. This new route continues to highlight Avelo’s convenient, affordable, and industry-leading reliability. We also look forward to making Northeast Florida’s famous beaches, as well as its abundance of outdoor activities and historic culture, easier than ever for Avelo travelers to enjoy,” said Andrew Levy, CEO and founder of Avelo Airlines, as cited by the Jacksonville Business Journal.
Brian McCormick, director of airport properties, facilities, and contract services at Breeze Airways, agrees. “The next step for us is to grow our commitment to the region. Jacksonville is one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States, offering robust opportunities for further expansion,” he told Invest:. “We see significant potential given Jacksonville’s appeal to both visitors and residents looking to travel.”
For more information visit:
https://www.flybreeze.com
