Biggest Cities in Florida

Florida has one of the most complex urban geographies in the US — several large, distinct metro areas that each function almost independently, separated by suburban sprawl and natural landscapes.

Jacksonville — 949,000 (city); 1.7 million (metro). The largest city in Florida by area (874 square miles — the largest city by area in the contiguous US). Jacksonville has an extensive river system, a major Navy base, and a growing logistics and finance sector. The St. Johns River flows through downtown and the city has 22 miles of oceanfront.

Miami — 443,000 (city); 6.2 million (metro). Miami punches far above its city-limit population. The Greater Miami metro is one of the largest in the Southeast and one of the most internationally connected cities in the Western Hemisphere. Miami is essentially bilingual (English and Spanish), with enormous Cuban, Venezuelan, Colombian, and Haitian communities. The financial district, Wynwood art district, and South Beach make it one of America's most culturally vibrant cities.

Tampa — 408,000 (city); 3.2 million (metro). Tampa Bay is the largest metro in Florida's Gulf Coast. The city has a strong port, a growing tech and cybersecurity sector, the University of South Florida, and one of the country's most beloved Ybor City neighborhood — a historic Cuban cigar-manufacturing district turned entertainment hub.

Orlando — 320,000 (city); 3.0 million (metro). The theme park capital of the world, yet far more than that. Orlando has a growing tech and simulation sector (driven partly by defense contracts), a medical research cluster around UCF Health Sciences, and one of the most rapidly diversifying urban economies in Florida.

St. Petersburg — 265,000. Tampa's smaller neighbor across the bay is known for its arts scene, the Salvador Dalí Museum (the largest collection of Dalí's work outside of Spain), and a livable waterfront downtown.

Tallahassee — 200,000. The state capital and a university town (Florida State University and Florida A&M University). Tallahassee has a character distinctly different from coastal Florida — more Southern, more wooded, more politically focused.