People are still moving to the Sunshine State but in much smaller numbers. The University of Florida's latest projection shows that population growth in Florida has dropped to its lowest level in thirty years.

The state's expected to add a little more than 200,000 new residents a year between 2007 and 2010. But that's half the annual increases between 2002 and 2006. Of course a strong real estate market and new construction fueled that growth.

Stan Smith is a University of Florida researcher.

"The bursting of the housing bubble has had a tremendous impact in the state, and we had overbuilt for years and now that's coming home at this point."

While florida remains a destination for retireesš young and middle-aged people accounted for much of the high growth in the state several years ago. But fewer jobs opportunities has stunted that growth.

Researchers, like Smith, do expect Florida's growth rate to rebound somewhat starting in 2010.

"We've seen this sort of up and down for many decades in Florida, where you have some years that are well above average and some years that are below average. And one thing to keep in mind is even an average year in Florida is pretty high compared to most states."