Southeast Florida - Facts at a Glance

Growing Population - On June 6^th, 2003 , the U.S. Office of Management and Budget officially recognized what South Florida ’s residents have known for a long time: Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties comprise one large urbanized region.  Yes, it’s official – with 5.2 million residents our region is now the sixth largest in the nation, surpassing the Washington , Atlanta , and Detroit metropolitan statistical areas.   South Florida ’s population is expected to increase by more than 2.6 million, raising the region’s population to 7.8 million, by 2030. 

Increasing Congestion - From 1982 to 1999 the region’s population increased 42% while the average number of miles driven by each driver increased 62%.  South Floridians are spending an increasing amount of traveling time stuck in traffic.

Regional Partnerships = Local and Regional Success - No one county can meaningfully address growing regional transportation impacts within its borders working in isolation.  The transit needs in the region far outweigh any one county’s ability to secure adequate resources working alone.

Needs are greater than resources - 2025 Estimate of Unfunded Transit Needs in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties = $6.462 billion

South Florida ’s Congressional and State Legislative Delegations - South Florida ’s elected federal and state representatives currently represent over 30% of the elected membership of the Florida Congressional Delegation and State Legislature.  A unified regional “ South Florida ” agenda supported by Palm Beach , Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties ’ federal and state legislative representatives would greatly increase the region’s political power and ability to access a wide range of resources.

TEA-21 Reauthorization - A special funding opportunity exists this year with the reauthorization of the federal Transportation Equity Act for the 21^st Century (TEA-21).  Because the Transportation Equity Act is currently reauthorized every six years, the region must act now to maximize the 2003 opportunity to secure transportation dollars or wait until 2009.   With TEA-21 reauthorization, many more projects will qualify for funding than there will be funding available. A unified South Florida Legislative Delegation will be critical to the region’s success in accessing these limited dollars.   

For more information please contact Isabel Cosio Carballo (isabelc@sfrpc.com) or Christina Miskis (cmiskis@sfrpc.com) of Council staff via email or by telephone at (954) 985-4416.

This page and all contents prepared by the South Florida Regional Planning Council.
Last edited on December 10, 2008