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report came out recently with data from the US Census Bureau that shows that Tampa’s population continued a path of slow but steady growth, adding 5,400 people over the past year to climb to 340,882 total residents. The growth or pace of the growth is not particularly surprising. What continues to surprise, however, is St Pete’s fall in population. We have seen the demographics which reveal St Pete having a difficult time balancing new residents with its elderly population. The one percent reduction in population over the past 8 years does not correlate with what we have seen in terms of revitalization of the downtown core over the same period of time. Downtown St. Pete is arguably the area’s most attractive zone for the young professional and baby boomer retiree, which as a whole, tend to prefer residing in areas that offer walking, urban cores, as opposed to a suburban living style.
