Tallahassee Among Top Metropolitan Locations In The Nation For Second Consecutive Year
March 12, 2025
The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality is proud to announce that the latest Leading Metro Locations report published by Area Development magazine highlights the continued economic strength and competitiveness of the Tallahassee Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The rankings, which evaluated all 410 metro areas across the nation based on key economic indicators such as job growth, business climate, and workforce development, reaffirm Tallahassee-Leon County’s position as one of the top-performing regions in the country. This recognition underscores the area’s ongoing economic vitality, investment appeal, and ability to attract and retain businesses. Tallahassee placed among the top five overall performers for steady growth and amid the best in economic strength and prime workforce.
“Tallahassee offers a unique blend of affordability, livability, and economic strength making it a prime destination for growth and success in today’s competitive economy,” City Manager Reese Goad said. “Through a forward-thinking approach, we have successfully fostered a business-friendly culture that is thriving on innovation and opportunity.”
“As we welcome new businesses and residents to our community every day, our economic growth continues to pay dividends and has successfully positioned us nationally as an innovative economic hub, serving diverse and passionate people with a wide range of in-demand skillsets,” City of Tallahassee Mayor John Dailey said.
Over the past five years, the Tallahassee-Leon County metro area has achieved remarkable success in job creation, adding more than 18,000 new jobs—97 percent of which were in the private sector—through strong partnerships between businesses, educational institutions, chambers of commerce, and workforce development organizations.
“Our ability to attract and retain skilled workers makes Tallahassee-Leon County a prime spot for businesses,” said Leon County Commission Chairman Brian Welch. “We’re focused on workforce development and creating strong career paths for our residents.”
“This national recognition reinforces what we’ve long known — that Leon County is one of the strongest and most competitive economies in the nation,” said Leon County Administrator Vincent S. Long. “Through strategic investments and a commitment to growing our local workforce, Leon County is a place where businesses can thrive and residents can succeed. This economic momentum shows no signs of slowing down.”
“Tallahassee’s rise in these rankings highlights our region’s economic momentum,” Keith Bowers, OEV Director said. “From job creation and workforce development to affordability and business resilience, we create an environment where companies and talent thrive.”
TALLAHASSEE MSA’S 2024 RANKINGS
- #2 in the South Atlantic Region: Tallahassee ranked second in the South Atlantic Region—comprised of MSAs in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia—rising from fourth place.
- #4 Overall Metro Location: Of all the metro areas analyzed, Tallahassee jumped five spots to secure fourth place nationwide.
- #13 in Prime Workforce: One of the MSA’s most significant leaps, Tallahassee surged from eighty-second to thirteenth—demonstrating the success of workforce development initiatives and access to top-tier talent.
- #3 Small Metro Location: Due to population adjustments, Tallahassee is classified as a “Small Metro Location” (population less than 500,000), ranking third in this group.
- #12 in Economic Strength: Tallahassee remains one of the strongest economies in the nation, ranking twelfth.
WHY TALLAHASSEE-LEON COUNTY STANDS OUT
Prime Workforce (#13 of 410)
- STEM Growth: Tallahassee-Leon County is experiencing consistent growth in high-demand STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields—a key driver for innovation, healthcare, and tech sectors.
- Competitive Wages: Average wages continue to rise, pointing to strong employer demand.
- Robust Labor Force: A consistently expanding labor force and high participation rate help attract and retain businesses.
Economic Strength (#12 of 410)
Cost Efficiency & Business Appeal
Unlike many booming areas that struggle with affordability, Tallahassee-Leon County remains
7 percent below the national average cost of living, which helps:
Regional and National Competitiveness
Tallahassee-Leon County ranked among the Top 5 nationally, in the South Atlantic Region, and among small metros, as well as in the Top 20 for economic strength and prime workforce. This achievement showcases the effectiveness of strategic investments in workforce development and industry diversification by OEV and partner organizations, solidifying our position as a formidable competitor on the national stage. Tallahassee-Leon County’s highly educated workforce, bolstered by major institutions of higher learning, gives it a competitive advantage in attracting technology firms, research institutions, and knowledge-based industries. This strong positioning highlights Tallahassee’s growing influence as a burgeoning economic hub.
A THRIVING BUSINESS DESTINATION
These high rankings highlight Tallahassee-Leon County’s growing reputation as a place where companies can thrive, and workers can find solid opportunities. Whether you’re a large corporation, a startup founder or a professional looking to relocate, the 2024 Leading Metro Locations report confirms that Florida’s Capital Region is on the rise.
For more information on doing business in Tallahassee-Leon County, visit OEVforBusiness.org.
COMPREHENSIVE METHODOLOGY
The Leading Metro Locations report, developed by Area Development, highlights communities with significant long-term growth potential. Their research methodology incorporates 24 economic and workforce indicators based on datasets produced by Chmura Economics & Analytics, which are compiled from trusted sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Economic Analysis, and JobsEQ. The 2024 report analyzed 410 MSAs (a seven-percent increase from 2023) with a one-, three-, and five-year retrospective of the indicators to provide a comprehensive assessment of economic conditions.
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