PSL ranks 3rd among small U.S. Cities for economic growth

Published on August 20, 2025

Source: CoworkingCafe.com | Rising Powerhouses: The Cities Making America’s Economic Future

America's economic map is shifting — and both traditional powerhouses and fast-growing challengers are setting the pace. To capture this dynamic, CoworkingCafe released a new study ranking the U.S. cities that achieved the strongest economic growth from 2019 through 2023, highlighting the communities driving the next chapter of prosperity.

Grounded in 11 key metrics — including GDP growth, job creation, housing expansion, export strength, business formation, infrastructure investment, and educational attainment — our analysis recognizes success at every scale by ranking cities within three population brackets: large (500,000+ residents), mid-sized (250,000–500,000), and small (under 250,000).

Port St. Lucie ranks 3rd among small U.S. cities for overall economic growth, earning 57.82 points thanks to its rapid population gains, robust GDP growth, and rising educational attainment.

Here are the key findings for Port St. Lucie:

• Population growth: Port St. Lucie’s population surged by 22.2% between 2019–2023, one of the fastest growth rates among all small U.S. cities (3rd place)
• GDP growth: The local economy expanded by 47%, also placing Port St. Lucie in 3rd place among small-city peers
• Educational attainment: The share of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher rose by 18%, ranking 5th and signaling strong progress in building a skilled workforce
• Housing stock: The number of housing units grew by 18%, the 7th-highest increase among small cities
• Business applications: Entrepreneurial activity more than doubled, climbing by 108%, placing Port St. Lucie 8th for new business formation.
• Median earnings: Local wages rose by 32%, earning the city a solid mid-tier ranking (15th)
• Labor market: Employment levels held steady, while the unemployment rate edged up slightly (+1%, also 5th place)
• Trade/exports: Export activity grew by 27%, ranking 29th among small cities
• Infrastructure: Roadway mileage increased modestly by 0.4%

Florida remains a national growth leader, with six cities placing in the top 10 of their respective population brackets — including Port St. Lucie (#3 small), Jacksonville (#3 large), Tampa (#2 mid-sized), Orlando (#3 mid-sized), St. Petersburg (#4 mid-sized), and Clearwater (#6 small).

Read the full analysis and methodology