Study: Florida Could Have 33 Million Residents By 2070

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

ORLANDO (CBSMiami/AP) — Florida could have more than 33 million residents by 2070 and the percentage of the state that is developed could jump from under 20 percent to 33 percent, according to a new study.

The study conducted by the University of Florida for the smart-growth advocacy group, 1000 Friends of Florida, was presented Wednesday.

The study says Florida's population would jump 15 million people over the next seven decades if growth trends continue. The number of acres developed would jump from 6.4 million acres to 11.6 million acres.

It proposes alternatives to growth that encourages higher density, filling in empty spaces in urban areas.

Under the alternative growth, the amount of developed land would only jump to 28 percent.

The state currently has around 20 million residents.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)