2026 E-Insights Report
Cumulative Yearly Growth: Taxpaying Population
- Tampa Bay demonstrates a remarkable 鈥渁cceleration and sustain鈥 migration pattern. Starting from a mid-tier position (No. 13) in 2014, the region rapidly gained momentum, surging to No. 2 by 2022. Unlike markets that experienced volatile fluctuations, Tampa Bay鈥檚 taxpaying population growth has been consistent and robust, achieving a cumulative growth index of approximately 117.5 (relative to the baseline). This trajectory indicates that the region has successfully transitioned from a secondary migration target to a primary destination, outpacing traditionally strong magnets like Austin and Nashville in the most recent rankings.
- Orlando maintains the cohort dominance while legacy metros stagnate. Orlando consistently anchored the top spot (No. 1), setting the benchmark for the cohort with cumulative growth approaching 120 index points. In sharp contrast, St. Louis, Baltimore, and Chicago have consistently anchored the bottom of the rankings (Nos. 18鈥20). These metros show cumulative indices near or below 100, indicating net stagnation or contraction in their taxpaying base over the decade.
Trend Over Time
Competitive Position Trend
About: This metric measures the cumulative growth of the taxpaying population within the metropolitan area. Definition: The index is calculated using the total number of individuals (tax filers and dependents) reported on federal income tax returns, normalized to a base year to track relative momentum. It serves as a robust proxy for economic migration, regional attractiveness, and household retention. Source: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Statistics of Income (SOI) Division.