Florida Facts
Florida Quick Facts
A simple overview of Florida’s geographical, historical, and current state facts presented in an easy-to-scan format.
Geographical Facts
- Total Area: 65,758 square miles
- Total land area: 53,625 square miles
- Total water area: 12,133 square miles
- Rank among states in total area: 22nd
- Length north and south: 447 miles (St. Marys River to Key West)
- Width east and west: 361 miles (Atlantic Ocean to Perdido River)
- Distance from Pensacola to Key West: 792 miles (by road)
- Highest Natural Point: 345 feet
- Geographic Center: 12 miles northwest of Brooksville, Hernando County
- Coastline: 1,350 statute miles
- Tidal shoreline (general): 2,276 statute miles
- Beaches: 663 miles
- Longest River: St. Johns, 273 miles
- Largest Lake: Lake Okeechobee, 700 square miles
- Largest county: Palm Beach, 2,578 square miles
- Smallest county: Union, 245 square miles
- Number of lakes (greater than 10 acres): about 7,700
- Number of first-magnitude springs: 33
- Number of islands (greater than 10 acres): about 4,500
Historical Facts
- First permanent European settlement: 1565, St. Augustine, by Spain
- Acquired from Spain as a U.S. Territory: 1821
- Admitted as 27th state of the U.S.: March 3, 1845
Current Facts
- Capital: Tallahassee
- Population 2020: 21,538,187 (2020 Decennial census, US Census Bureau)
- Population 2019 (estimate): 21,477,737 (Rank 3rd)
- Population 2010: 18,801,310 (Rank 4th)
- Population 2000: 15,982,378
- Population 1990: 12,937,926
- Population growth rate 2010–2020: 14.5%
- Most populous metropolitan area 2020: Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Beach: 6,138,333 (9th US)
- Most populous metropolitan area 2019: Miami-Ft. Lauderdale-Pompano Beach: 6,166,488 (estimate - Ranked 7th in the US)
- Most populous County 2020: Miami-Dade County: 2,701,767 [actual]
- Most populous County 2019: Miami-Dade County: 2,716,940 (estimate)
- Most populous County 2010: Miami-Dade County: 2,496,435 [actual]
- Number of counties: 67
- Form of government: Governor and cabinet consisting of Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Agriculture
- State sales tax: 6%
- State income tax: None
- Legislature: 120 house districts, 40 senate districts, 28 congressional districts
Sources
- The Florida Handbook, Allen Morris, Joan Perry Morris, and the Florida House of Representatives. © 2014. Florida Statistical Abstract, 2012
- U.S. Census Bureau
- U.S. Geological Survey
- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection
- Florida Department of Revenue
- The Florida House of Representatives
- The Florida Senate