population

The state Demographic Estimating Conference says Florida added almost 359,000 people last year.

Polk County is home to Lakeland. The county sits between Tampa and Orlando, two metros areas where housing has grown increasingly pricey.

Even with the slowdown, Florida continues to see population increases that are roughly equivalent to adding a city the size of Orlando each year, according to a state report released Tuesday.

Demographers expect Florida’s population to continue growing steadily over the next eight years. A population-estimating committee says the state is on…