Florida is known for its sunny beaches, diverse culture, and booming tourism industry. But not all of its cities are enjoying the same growth and prosperity. According to a recent report by WalletHub, a personal finance website, one Florida city has been named the fastest shrinking city in the state, and the 11th fastest shrinking city in the nation.
The Fastest Shrinking City in Florida
The city in question is Pensacola, located in the northwest corner of the state, near the border with Alabama. Pensacola has a population of about 52,000 people, and is the county seat of Escambia County. It is also home to the Naval Air Station Pensacola, which is the primary training base for Navy, Marine, and Coast Guard aviators.
According to WalletHub, Pensacola ranked 390th out of 400 cities in the U.S. in terms of population growth, with a negative growth rate of -0.48% from 2014 to 2019. It also ranked poorly in other indicators of socio-economic development, such as income growth, unemployment rate, poverty rate, and education level.
Pensacola’s median household income was $46,569 in 2019, below the national average of $62,843. Its unemployment rate was 5.1% in 2019, above the national average of 3.7%. Its poverty rate was 20.9% in 2019, well above the national average of 12.3%. And its percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher was 29.9% in 2019, below the national average of 32.1%.
The Reasons Behind the Decline
There are several factors that may explain why Pensacola is losing population and lagging behind in economic development. One of them is the impact of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and oil spills, that have hit the region in recent years. Pensacola was severely damaged by Hurricane Ivan in 2004, Hurricane Dennis in 2005, and Hurricane Sally in 2020.
It also suffered from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, which affected its fishing and tourism industries. These events have caused property damage, environmental degradation, and loss of income for many residents and businesses.
Another factor is the lack of diversification and innovation in Pensacola’s economy, which relies heavily on the military, government, and service sectors. While these sectors provide stable employment and income for some, they also limit the opportunities for entrepreneurship, creativity, and growth.
Pensacola has not been able to attract or retain enough young, educated, and skilled workers, who often prefer to move to larger and more dynamic cities, such as Tampa, Orlando, or Miami. Pensacola also faces competition from neighboring cities, such as Mobile, Alabama, and Biloxi, Mississippi, which offer similar amenities and lower costs of living.
A third factor is the social and cultural challenges that Pensacola faces, such as racial inequality, crime, and political polarization. Pensacola has a history of racial segregation and discrimination, which still affects its demographics and outcomes today. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pensacola’s population is 54.3% white, 28.9% black, 4.6% Hispanic, 3.3% Asian, and 8.9% other races.
The racial gap in income, education, health, and justice is evident in Pensacola, as well as in the rest of the state and the nation. Pensacola also has a relatively high crime rate, with 467 violent crimes and 2,834 property crimes per 100,000 people in 2019, according to the FBI. Moreover, Pensacola is located in a conservative and religious area, which may clash with the values and preferences of some residents and visitors, especially those who are more liberal and secular.
The Potential Solutions
Despite the challenges and difficulties that Pensacola faces, there are also some signs of hope and potential for improvement. Pensacola has some assets and advantages that could help it reverse its decline and revitalize its economy and society. Some of these are:
Its natural beauty and rich history. Pensacola has a scenic coastline, a historic downtown, and a diverse cultural heritage. It is the oldest European settlement in the U.S., founded by the Spanish in 1559. It has been under the rule of five different nations: Spain, France, Britain, the U.S., and the Confederate States. It has also been influenced by the Native American, African American, and Creole cultures. Pensacola has many attractions and landmarks that showcase its natural and historical legacy, such as the Pensacola Beach, the Pensacola Lighthouse, the National Naval Aviation Museum, and the Historic Pensacola Village.
Its strategic location and transportation network. Pensacola is situated in a convenient and accessible location, close to major markets and destinations in the Southeast and the Gulf Coast. It has a well-developed transportation network, including the Pensacola International Airport, the Port of Pensacola, and several highways and railways. Pensacola could leverage its location and infrastructure to enhance its trade, tourism, and logistics sectors, and to connect with other regional and global hubs.
Its educational and research institutions. Pensacola has several educational and research institutions that could foster innovation and talent development. These include the University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, and the Gulf Coast Research Laboratory. These institutions could collaborate with each other and with the private and public sectors to create new knowledge, products, and services, and to train and retain the workforce of the future.
Conclusion
Pensacola is a city that faces many challenges, but also has many opportunities. It is the fastest shrinking city in Florida, and one of the fastest shrinking cities in the U.S., due to various economic, social, and environmental factors. However, it also has some strengths and assets that could help it overcome its problems and achieve its potential. Pensacola needs to adopt a vision and a strategy that can harness its natural, historical, and human resources, and that can address its weaknesses and threats. Pensacola needs to reinvent itself as a city that is resilient, inclusive, and innovative.