December 13, 2021
In previous editions, FTL Focus has covered how DowntownFTL has become an attractive destination for young professionals. At of the end of 2020:
The share of DowntownFTL residents between ages of 25 and 34 is equal to residents over the age of 55.
Since 2010 there has been a 33% increase in the number of residents between the ages of 25 and 34.
As we close the book on 2021 and look ahead to next year, these trends are projected to continue. 2025 projections expect that there will be 35% increase in residents in this age bracket, nearly doubling the number of young professionals living in DowntownFTL in 2010. This type of growth can only happen Downtown, positioning Fort Lauderdale as a magnet for talent and ideas of all kinds: new companies, new restaurant concepts, new creatives, innovative mobility solutions, and collisions of all kinds of arts & culture experiences.
This trend also applies to the number of families choosing DowntownFTL.
Growth in Families Based Downtown Will Equal the Rise of Young Professionals Over the Next 5 Years
Just as DowntownFTL has become incredibly attractive for young professionals, the city is just as in-demand for families with children. As DowntownFTL young professionals become more established in their careers, they are opting to start families in the urban core more than ever. From 2010 to 2020, the number of families living downtown increased by 48%. From 2020 to 2025, there is a 47% projected increase in the number of families based downtown and a 48% increase in children up to age of 14.
Key Takeaway
While these trends should not be shocking, the extent that both families and young professionals choose to live and stay in DowntownFTL speaks to the quality of our civic assets, amenities, and cultural institutions. This is a trend that should be celebrated as the impact of this generation will continue to grow and shape DowntownFTL as a world class city.