Three signs Jacksonville’s economy is outpacing the nation

October 2025 — Steady population growth, a surge in corporate business relocations, and new construction along the city’s riverfront are indicators of the growth taking place in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida.

Below we highlight these key areas, along with insights from industry leaders in the latest Invest: Jacksonville report that shed light on what makes this metro area one to watch.

Population Growth

Jacksonville and the Northeast Florida area are growing in terms of population. The city of Jacksonville currently ranks No. 15 in the list of the top 20 fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. Post-pandemic, the area experienced rapid population growth. From 2020 to 2022, the population in the city area grew from 949,611 to 971,319 — a 2% increase, while the metro area population expanded 5%, from 1.53 million to 1.61 million. 

Forecasts for growth over the next four years are just as strong. From 2023 to 2028, Jacksonville is expected to grow by 11%, faster than any other major Florida metro as well as state and national averages.

According to data gathering platform Statista, Jacksonville’s population grew 20% between 2010 and 2023, adding 326,701 new residents. That pace picked up rapidly in 2023, when the population reached 1.71 million, adding about 103 new residents per day. The U.S. Census Bureau ranked Jacksonville No.10 nationwide for largest population gains between July 2023 and July 2024. The city was one of two Florida cities ranked on PODS’s list of top cities people are moving to. (PODS is a national moving & storage company, which regularly collects move-in rates in the U.S.)

“With 1,200 people moving to Florida daily, not all can live on the Atlantic or Gulf Coasts; they will need to move inland. Just as Clay and St. Johns counties have grown, we are the next to experience population growth. We are already benefiting from the overall population growth and relocations occurring in Florida,” said Mark Litten, vice president of economic development for the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, in an interview with Invest:.

Corporate relocations

More than 150 corporate, regional and divisional headquarters now operate in the Jacksonville region. As long as the city continues to offer a favorable business climate, entrepreneurial spirit, a young and skilled labor force, and other competitive advantages, the demand for corporate relocations to the area will likely continue.

Another factor is that Jacksonville has close proximity to the logistical infrastructure that facilitates operations for those businesses that operate across state as well as internationally. In 2024, Jacksonville was ranked as the second-hottest job market in the country by the Wall Street Journal. And more recently in July 2025, FloridaCommerce announced the Jacksonville metro area led all metro areas in job gains over the year in the education and health services sector, adding 8,600 jobs in June 2025.  

“Population growth creates opportunity. As new businesses come to Jacksonville, they need a good bank and trusted advisors to take care of them and help them grow. We appreciate all efforts in recruiting these businesses to Jacksonville, viewing it as an opportunity to add value,” said Tim Hamilton, market president and director for Valley National Bank in Northeast Florida, in an interview with Invest:.

Riverfront development

Jacksonville’s riverfront is seeing plenty of growth from new developments. There are multiple parks and public facilities under design or construction that will run throughout the city’s downtown riverfront. 

A primary example of this trend is the ongoing construction efforts of the Riverfront Plaza, a playground and green space along the St. John River bank. New projects are also expected to be underway in the area when the City Council approves the renovated designs for Shipyards West and Metropolitan Park.

Another major development is the construction of the $215 million Four Seasons hotel along the Downtown Northbank, slated for completion in 2026, right across from the Jacksonville Jaguars’ planned ‘Stadium of the Future.’

Update: This article was originally published in September 2024, and it has been updated in October 2025.

Want more? Read the Invest: Jacksonville report.

Update Date: This article was originally published in September 2024, and it has been updated in October 2025.