Moving to Florida

Florida, otherwise known as ‘The Sunshine State’, is a amazing state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to FL, we have composed a detailed list of some important facts and useful factoids to help make your move an easy transition.

Geography

Located in the South Atlantic Region of the country, Florida is bordered by Alabama and Georgia. With a total land area of over 65,754.59 Square Miles, it comes in as the 22nd largest state.

Population

Currently, the population of FL is 20,612,439 making it the 3rd most populated state in the union and the 9th most densely populated. The state capital, Tallahassee, has a population of 156612. which is the 25th largest capital in the country.

Notable Floridians

Florida is home to various famous and some infamous citizens such as, Julian Cannonball Adderley a prominent jazz saxophonist is from Tampa and Pat Boone a prominent singer is from Jacksonville. Others include people like Fernando Bujones a ballet dancer and Steve Carlton a baseball player .

Climate

Florida’s location at subtropical latitudes and adjacent to the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and western Atlantic gives it a climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Average temperatures in January range from the lower 50s (°F) in the northern portion of the state to the upper 60s (°F) in the southern portion. During July, typically the hottest month of the year, monthly average temperatures are similar throughout state in the low 80s°F. Annual average precipitation is approximately 54 inches across the state, with more precipitation occurring through the warmer months of June through September. The driest year on record occurred in 2000 with a statewide average of 40 inches of precipitation, and the wettest year on record was in 1947 with about 73 inches of rainfall.

National Parks

Florida is home to 3 beautiful national parks.

• Biscayne

  Located in Biscayne Bay, this park at the north end of the Florida Keys has four interrelated marine ecosystems: mangrove forest, the Bay, the Keys, and coral reefs. Threatened animals include the West Indian manatee, American crocodile, various sea turtles, and peregrine falcon.

• Dry Tortugas

  The islands of the Dry Tortugas, at the westernmost end of the Florida Keys, are the site of Fort Jefferson, a Civil War-era fort that is the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere. With most of the park being remote ocean, it is home to undisturbed coral reefs and shipwrecks and is only accessible by plane or boat.

• Everglades

  The Everglades are the largest tropical wilderness in the United States. This mangrove and tropical rainforest ecosystem and marine estuary is home to 36 protected species, including the Florida panther, American crocodile, and West Indian manatee. Some areas have been drained and developed; restoration projects aim to restore the ecology.

Crime Statistics

Safety and security should always be an important consideration when moving to a new area. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the security of its resident, it highly affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Florida’s violent crime rate is 54 per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 341per 10k residents which is greater than the national average of 248.7.

Florida ranks #6 in the US for violent crime and #6 for property crime.

Schools & Education

Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Florida’s educational system.

Overall Grade: C

Florida spends on average $9585.00 per pupil, which is less than the national average ($11,900). FL ranks #29 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While FL ranks #29 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 77.90%%.

Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Florida ranks #9 with over 50.80% of children attending a early educational program.

Taxes

The current income tax rate for Florida is 0.00% which ranks 1st favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. FL’s rate is $28.63 which ranks 24th in the US.

Currently, FL sales tax is $28.33 for which it comes in as 36th compared to other states.

Sports

Florida fans are not only loyal but also very tried-and-true to their local major league teams. Florida is home to the following teams: the Florida Panthers, the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Heat, the Miami Marlins, the Orlando City SC, the Orlando Magic, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Tampa Bay Rays .

Utility Companies

Before you move to Florida, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in FL.

Other Resources

For more information about moving to Florida, visit their website at http://www.myflorida.com