The Brief
- Pinellas County lost about 12,000 residents between 2024 and 2025, according to new census data.
- The county had the second-largest population decline in the U.S., behind Los Angeles County.
- Leaders say back-to-back hurricanes likely drove some residents to leave. Officials say the dip is not a long-term concern, pointing to projected growth.
CLEARWATER, Fla. – New census data shows thousands of people have left Pinellas County following a devastating stretch of back-to-back hurricanes — marking one of the largest population declines in the country.
By the numbers:
According to newly released figures, Pinellas County lost about 12,000 residents between 2024 and 2025, the second-largest population drop nationwide, behind only Los Angeles County, which faced historic wildfires during the same timeframe.…