ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – The U.S. Census Bureau last week released 2024 population estimates for cities and towns across the country.
The United States has an estimated population of 341.8 million, and the most populous cities include New York City (8.4 million), Los Angeles (3.8 million), Chicago (2.7 million) and Houston (2.3 million).
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But far on the other end of the spectrum is Marineland, a Florida town that has the lowest estimated population in the state: nine people.
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It’s located south of St. Augustine on A1A and sits in both Flagler and St. Johns counties.
The town’s history dates back to the opening of Marine Studios, now Marineland Dolphin Adventure, in 1938 as the world’s first oceanarium and a unique destination for Hollywood filmmakers to capture underwater footage, according to the town’s website.
The town was later incorporated in 1940.
Over the last 80 years, Marineland has contributed to marine science and conservation and serves as the home of the UF Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience.
The population of the 0.2 square-mile town has dropped since 2020, when it was 15 people, according to the Census.
Marineland has its own government and board of commissioners, which, as of Monday, has only one member after Marineland Mayor Gary Inks died at 79 over the weekend, according to FlaglerLive.com. Dewey Dew, former vice mayor, is now acting mayor.
Here were the Florida towns with the smallest populations:
— Marineland: 9
— Bay Lake: 23
— Lake Buena Vista: 25
— Lazy Lake: 35
— Belleair Shore: 76
— Indian Creek: 89
— Bascom: 93
— Otter Creek: 114
— Cloud Lake: 141
— Horseshoe Beach: 173
