Fort Lauderdale
RANK #878 / 996 NAT · #30 / 41 FL · POP 1,940,907
1YR FORECAST: -2.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +13%
Broward County, Florida, is known for its extensive canal system in Fort Lauderdale, earning it the nickname "Venice of America." Located on Florida's southeast coast, just north of Miami, the county offers a blend of urban and suburban environments. Commuting options include Tri-Rail, Brightline, Broward County Transit buses, and community shuttles, connecting residents within the county and to neighboring Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties. The community offers year-round outdoor recreation due to its climate, with access to 24 miles of sandy beaches, numerous parks, and nature centers like Anne Kolb Nature Center and Everglades Holiday Park, where visitors can experience airboat rides and wildlife viewing.
Life in Broward County attracts a diverse population, including families, professionals, and retirees. The public school system, Broward County Public Schools, is one of the largest in the nation. The economy is driven by tourism, trade, and sectors like healthcare and technology, with Fort Lauderdale leading in yachting and boating. Recent economic developments show continued investment in infrastructure, including expansions at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades, and a focus on attracting international trade and tourism.
Above national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Prices declining
Housing is fairly valued at 5.0x relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Dania Beach 7 Natural Gas Power Plant
Florida Power & Light Co.
|
$1,448M | Operating |
|
Port Everglades Natural Gas Power Plant (Unit 5)
Florida Power & Light Co.
|
$1,250M | Operating |
|
Volico Data Center FLL1 - Broward Data Center
Volico Data Center
|
$480M | Operating |
|
Broward County Solar Installations (Multiple Projects)
Broward County / Advanced Roofing, Inc.
|
$50M | Operating/Under Construction |
|
Convention Center Expansion and Headquarters Hotel
Broward County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
The Residences at Shell Bay (Hallandale Beach)
Related Group and Dezer Development
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Broward County scores just 11/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #878 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.0% and median household income of $70,331 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Broward County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $348,600 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,683/month on average.
Population and employment in Broward County are both close to flat — population +0.3% YoY and jobs +1.0%. Home values shifted -5.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.33% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Broward County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values fell -5.5% over the past year in Broward County, bringing the median down to $348,600. A drop of that magnitude usually reflects weakening demand or population outflow — worth watching if you're considering buying here.