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Leon County Sees Modest Population Growth Amid Challenges

Aerial view of Tallahassee, Florida, highlighting urban and natural features.

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News Summary

Leon County experiences a modest 2.8% population growth from 2020 to 2024, ranking 56th among Florida counties. The growth lags behind neighboring counties, raising concerns about its competitiveness. Additionally, Tallahassee International Airport reported a decline in passenger traffic. Changes in school leadership are also underway, with several new principal appointments for the upcoming school year. Despite its challenges, the community engages through various initiatives, including applications for the Children’s Services Council and the observance of Florida’s Emancipation Day.

Tallahassee – According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Leon County recorded a modest population growth of 2.8% from 2020 to 2024, a figure that ranks the county 56th out of 67 counties in Florida. The total population in Leon County rose from 292,207 to 300,488 during this period.

This growth is significantly lagging behind neighboring counties. For instance, Bay County witnessed a substantial growth rate of 14.0%, while Alachua County experienced a 4.8% increase. Another nearby county, Escambia County, saw a slight growth of 2.9%. The slow population growth rate in Leon County raises concerns about its competitiveness and appeal compared to other regions in Florida.

Adding to the county’s challenges, passenger traffic at Tallahassee International Airport has also declined. In April 2025, the airport reported 79,423 passengers, which marks a 1.0% decrease compared to 80,229 passengers in April 2024.

Changes in School Leadership

In addition to demographic challenges, the Leon County School District is undergoing significant changes in its administrative leadership. Several new principal appointments have been announced for the upcoming 2025-26 school year.

Michael Bryan is set to retire from his position as principal of Leon High School. His successor will be Scotty Crowe, who is transitioning from Gilchrist Elementary School. In turn, Lisa Mehr will be taking over at Gilchrist, stepping into the role from Crowe.

Cari Molinaro is taking over as the principal of Woodville K-8 School, succeeding herself from her previous position as assistant principal. Additionally, Kerri Lamar-Anderson has been appointed to lead Griffin Middle School following the resignation of the former principal, while Logan Crouch will become the principal of Cobb Middle School, previously serving as assistant principal at Raa Middle School. Finally, Sarah Hembree will take over at SAIL High School, replacing Rhonda Blackwell-Flanagan.

Community Developments

In line with community engagement, the Leon County Government is actively seeking applications for the Children’s Services Council of Leon County (CSC Leon), which aims to support children and families within the district.

In another notable event, Leon County and the city of Tallahassee shut down offices and public services on May 20 to observe Florida’s Emancipation Day. This marks the fifth consecutive year that this date has been recognized as an official holiday in the state.

Educational and Tourism Context

In the realm of sports, the Stanford University women’s golf team secured a victory against Florida State University, finishing 3.5-1.5 in the semifinals of the NCAA Division I Women’s Golf Championships. Stanford is set to compete against Northwestern for the national championship.

On a broader scale, Florida has been experiencing a rise in tourism, with 143 million visitors recorded in 2024, reflecting a 1.7% increase over the previous year’s 140.2 million visitors, showcasing the state’s thriving travel industry.

Overall, despite these varying developments, Leon County faces a significant challenge in boosting its population growth while adapting to changes within its educational leadership and maintaining its community services.