Tallahassee-Leon County Economy Outpaces State and Nation in GDP Growth

SENT ON BEHALF OF THE TALLAHASSEE-LEON COUNTY OFFICE OF ECONOMIC VITALITY

February 12, 2026

Newly released data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows that the Tallahassee-Leon County Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) recorded strong economic growth in 2024, outperforming both the State of Florida and the nation.

According to the BEA, Real (inflation-adjusted) Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the Tallahassee-Leon County MSA reached $21.3 billion in 2024, an increase of 4.3 percent from $20.4 billion in 2023. By comparison, Florida's Real GDP grew by 3.3 percent, while U.S. Real GDP increased by 2.8 percent over the same period.

This marks the first time since 2007 that the Tallahassee-Leon County region's GDP growth rate exceeded both state and national growth in the same year.

"GDP is one of the clearest indicators of overall economic activity," said Keith Bowers, Director of the Office of Economic Vitality. "Seeing Tallahassee-Leon County grow faster than both Florida and the nation underscores the region's economic momentum and the impact of sustained investment in jobs, talent, and key industry sectors."

GDP measures the total value of goods and services produced within a region and is widely used to assess economic strength, productivity, and long-term growth trends. Real GDP adjusts for inflation, providing a clearer picture of true economic expansion.

Beyond year-over-year gains, the region's economic growth has remained strong in recent years. Real GDP increased 9.3 percent from 2022 to 2024 and is 15.9 percent higher than 2021 levels, reflecting steady post-pandemic recovery and expansion.

The newly released 2024 GDP data not only reflects past strong performance but also emphasizes the region’s continued economic momentum. In Area Development's 2025 Leading Metro Locations report, Tallahassee-Leon County placed 16th overall nationally, ranked second in the South Atlantic Region, and finished fifth among medium-sized metros with populations between 200,000 and 500,000.

Additionally, the region's workforce strength is equally impressive, ranking 19th out of 411 metro areas for Prime Workforce performance—a measure evaluating workforce competitiveness, growth, and wage gains. In 2025, the Tallahassee-Leon County metropolitan area added approximately 2,100 jobs, with about one-third of workers employed in the region commuting from surrounding counties, underscoring Tallahassee-Leon County's role as a major regional employment hub.

The Tallahassee-Leon County MSA remains the primary economic driver within the metropolitan area, accounting for approximately 87-88 percent of total regional GDP. In 2024, private-sector activity accounted for approximately 76 percent of the region's Real GDP, up from 74 percent in 2019, reflecting continued growth in the private sector alongside ongoing workforce development and business investment.

"These results reinforce that Tallahassee-Leon County’s collective efforts are on the right trajectory," Bowers said. "GDP growth is a strong indicator of economic vitality, demonstrating that our regional economy is expanding, diversifying, and becoming increasingly competitive."