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Florida Has 4 Of The Hardest Working Cities In America

Author Jeff Gorra

Florida often gets a reputation as being a state where many get comfortable and retire. However, the work ethic in the Sunshine State is not to be overlooked.  In fact, WalletHub recently detailed the hardest-working cities in America, and four Florida cities ranked in the top third of the list.

In total, 116 major metro areas were ranked here based on a few determining factors. “Some U.S. cities represent the strong work ethic that helped to build the world’s biggest economy better than others,” WalletHub said.

To compile this ranking, two major categories were established. They are direct work factors and indirect work factors. Then, 11 different metrics within those buckets were analyzed and assigned a score. In total, this report found that Americans put in about 1,811 working hours per year, on average. If you are a business owner or have the option to work remotely from your home, these are two considerations that can often lead to people working more hours.

Tampa Area Works The Hardest

Overall, this Hardest Working Cities of 2024 report shows favorable results for all of Florida. Given the number of major metro areas studied, to have four places in the top 40 is quite impressive.

First, the greater Tampa area gets the crown for the hardest-working spot in the state. Tampa proper ranked 29th overall, with exceptional results in the direct work category. St. Petersburg was next at 38th. Orlando and Jacksonville then followed at 39th and 40th, respectively.

In addition, this WalletHub data shows the employment rate across the country since 2009. The news for Florida is good here, too. The region has steadily had a higher employment rate for the past five years.

Finally, while we can certainly be proud of working hard, it’s equally as important to allow yourself some time to recharge. “Even though people in the hardest-working cities are the backbone of our economy, they shouldn’t forget to take the occasional break for their mental and physical health,” WalletHub analyst Cassandra Hope concludes.

Florida Has 2 Of The Most Beautiful Bridges In The Country

According to Infrastructure Report Card, there are 617,000 bridges in the United States. Outlets such as Attractions of America and Mr. Hudson have each come up with lists of the most beautiful bridges. Two of them call Florida home.

A bridge can be a historical landmark in addition to a pathway that connects communities. Certain bridges, like the Golden Gate in San Francisco, draw thousands of tourists each year. People plan trips around visiting this site and taking in its incredible views. Unsurprisingly, the Golden Gate Bridge is either #1 or #2 on each of the aforementioned lists.

The bridge that it shares the top spot with is famous for its ability to walk or bike over. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn Heights to Manhattan via six lanes. Many charity-driven bike rides also cross here as it offers unique perspectives into New York City without any tollways.

Florida Bridges

In Florida, American Road and Transportation lists over 12,000 bridges in the Sunshine State (though not all of them are in functional condition). There are two however, that stand above the rest. One is architecturally astounding. The other feels like a gateway into a mysterious paradise.

“American bridges are often designed with looks to match their engineering ingenuity,” Mr. Hudson explains.

What’s fascinating about bridges in America, is they are constructed of different materials and serve different purposes. For example, the final and tenth selection in Attractions of America’s feature is the Benson Bridge, Multnomah Falls, in Oregon. This is a foot traffic bridge that is only 45 feet long. It allows visitors to walk 105 feet above the Lower Multnomah Falls cascade

Let’s take a look at the two most beautiful bridges in Florida.

 

  • Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Tampa

    Connecting St. Petersburg to Terra Ceia, this bridge is 4.1 miles long. This stunning bridge over Tampa Bay is often lit up with colors that highlight the skyline. Furthermore, since 2018, there has been a Skyway 10K race that closes the bridge each year.

    Sunshine Skyway Bridge crossing Tampa Bay in Florida with a beach in the foreground.

    Getty Images

  • Seven Mile Bridge, Florida Keys

    This two-lane bridge is technically part of Route 1. It’s a magical gateway into the Florida Keys. Mr. Hudson points out, “the Seven Mile Bridge usually has space for sightseers to park up and admire the Florida Keys.” In 1982, a heavy renovation made the lanes wider, allowing for a safer and more comfortable drive. The last annual seven-mile bridge run took place this past April.

    Overseas Highway Seven Mile Bridge Traffic at Sunrise, Florida Keys

Jeff Gorra is a Boston-based writer who has been with Beasley Media Group since the beginning of 2023. He writes about restaurants and food, as well as sports and rock music. His experience also includes show hosting and in-depth creative writing in rock and reggae dub music. Jeff’s an avid surfer, New York Giants, and Pearl Jam fan, however, if you make unforgettable pizza, he is sure to find you.

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Author Jeff Gorra
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