In a recent ranking, St. Pete was named the #2 mid-sized city in Florida and #18 in the United States for Gen Z young professionals. CommercialCafe ranked the best U.S. cities with populations between 250,000 and 400,000 residents based on several Gen Z-friendly factors, such as:
- Employment opportunities for graduates;
- Affordability; and
- Green spaces
The study also looked at school enrollment, the unemployment rate, internet costs, and recreational establishments.
CommercialCafe notes that “St. Petersburg offers young people a familiar mix of great beaches and natural sights alongside great future prospects. Here, the local economy relies on industries such as the financial sector — especially investment and financial services giant Raymond James — as well as tech, health care and advanced manufacturing. This diverse landscape contributes to a share of jobs for recent graduates of 29.2%, which equals Tampa’s showing and outpaces Orlando’s 25.9%.”
St. Pete’s top-notch educational institutions coupled with dozens of universities and technical schools within 100 miles mean employers have access to more than 40,000 highly-skilled graduates each year.
St. Pete has repeatedly been recognized as a haven for outdoor lovers and has been ranked a top city for outdoor enthusiasts , with the #1 parks system in Florida.
St. Petersburg offers young people a familiar mix of great beaches and natural sights alongside great future prospects…This diverse landscape contributes to a share of jobs for recent graduates of 29.2%, which equals Tampa’s showing and outpaces Orlando’s 25.9%.
CommercialCafe 2024
For more, see “Zoomer Boomtowns: Mid-Sized U.S. Cities Drawing Graduating Gen Zers.”
