TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida had 4 of the 5 fastest-growing metropolitan areas within the nation from 2022 to 2023, led by the realm that features The Villages retirement group, in response to knowledge launched Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau.The inhabitants within the space that features The Villages and Wildwood elevated by 4.7 p.c from July 1, 2022, to July 1, 2023.The Ocala space was fourth-highest at 3.4 p.c, and the Port St. Lucie space was fifth-highest at 3.1 p.c, in response to the census knowledge.Learn MoreThe second-fastest development charge within the nation was within the Lakeland and Winter Haven metro space at 3.8 p.c.Learn: Orlando says enhancements are coming after metropolis scores 41 out of 100 for walkabilityThe solely space outdoors of Florida within the prime 5 was the Myrtle Seashore, S.C., space, which grew 3.7 p.c.“The inhabitants development in Florida’s metro areas underscores a bigger development of widespread inhabitants development throughout the South, the nation’s fastest-growing area and website of the entire prime 10 fastest-growing U.S. metro areas from 2022 to 2023,” the U.S. Census Bureau mentioned in asserting the information. “The expansion continued a sample already clear the earlier 12 months when eight of the ten fastest-growing metro areas have been within the South.”Learn: Thousands and thousands authorized to help reasonably priced housing improvement in Orange CountyThis browser doesn’t assist the video ingredient.Click on right here to obtain our free information, climate and sensible TV apps. And click on right here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness Information stay.