The strong concentration of finance, professional, business, and information sector jobs in Fort Lauderdale ranks the metro as one of the top-performing economies in Florida. This supported a median household income slightly higher than Miami’s and sustained a tight labor market with an unemployment rate below 4%. Since 2020, incomes have surged more than 25%, outpacing the national growth rate of 21%. Yet, Fort Lauderdale notes a rise in living costs, but new efforts like the Live Local Act are ongoing to combat this concern.

 

Fort Lauderdale Demographics

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

• Unemployment Rate: 3.6%
• Current Population: 2,051,439
• Households: 784,601
• Median Household Income: $79,862

 

Population, Labor, and Income Growth

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

 

Key Findings

• Although Fort Lauderdale recorded a slowdown in leases, the vacancy rate remains below the national average of 7.5%, underscoring the region’s ongoing resilience.
• After a period of subdued development, construction activity reaccelerated to about 1.6 million square feet underway by late 2025, led by projects in Southwest Broward and Pompano Beach.
• Institutional investors, including Ares Industrial REIT and Tishman Speyer, have made major acquisitions, reflecting confidence in the region’s long-term fundamentals.

 

Market Performance

Industrial activity has softened across Fort Lauderdale over the past year, with net absorption totaling -467,165 square feet and vacancy rising to 5.9%, up from a low of 3.2% in 2022. Tenant move-outs from transportation and warehousing firms have contributed to this trend, though vacancy remains below the U.S. average of 7.5%.

 

Despite slower leasing and moderating demand, the metro’s position within South Florida keeps it a vital logistics hub anchored by Port Everglades, Florida’s third-largest container port. Construction activity has rebounded, with over 1.6 million square feet underway, while rent growth has eased to 2% annually following strong post-2019 gains. Investment remains robust, with $1.6 billion in annual sales and pricing up 18% since 2021.

 

Fort Lauderdale Industrial Supply & Demand Dynamics

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

 

Fort Lauderdale Construction

Fort Lauderdale’s industrial construction has picked up since late 2024, with about 1.6 million square feet underway in Q3 2025. Elevated financing costs and softer economic conditions are expected to keep new development subdued, with annual deliveries projected to stay under 900,000 square feet. Most large-scale projects are concentrated in Pompano Beach and Southwest Broward, where the 281,000-square-foot 20421 Sheridan St Building C leads current activity. Although availability for new construction remains around 60%, tight vacancy levels near 6% for existing large assets indicate limited competitive supply and stable long-term leasing prospects.

 

SF Construction Starts

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

 

SF Under Construction

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.

 

Sales

Industrial sales across Fort Lauderdale remain active, with Q3 2025 sales reaching $469 million and a total $1.6 billion in deals over the past year. Institutional investors continue to show strong interest, highlighted by Ares Industrial Real Estate Income Trust’s $120 million acquisition from Blackstone in early 2025 and Tishman Speyer’s $100 million purchase of Rock Lake Business Center in 2024. Large portfolio deals, such as Elion Partners’ $205 million purchase from Link Logistics, further underscore investor confidence. Although cap rates have risen about 100 basis points to around 6.5%, sustained institutional demand reflects long-term confidence in the region’s industrial fundamentals.

 

Sales Volume

Source: CoStar Group, Inc.