Counties Most Concerned About Climate Change in Florida

U.S. Florida Climate Change Global warming

Nationally, 72 percent of Americans believe global warming is happening. But when public opinion researchers zoom in on Americans, they find that attitudes and opinions about climate change can vary drastically from county to county—even when those counties are next door. Public opinion factors into how policy-makers respond to climate change, including taking steps to reduce CO2 levels and mitigate harmful impacts already being experienced. Stacker compiled a list of counties most concerned about climate change in Florida using data from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.

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50. Levy County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.3%
--- 15.1% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.9%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.3%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 54.7%
- Total population: 32,015

49. Suwannee County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.3%
--- 15.0% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 55.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.0%
- Total population: 34,382

48. Nassau County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.4%
--- 14.9% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 58.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 33.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.6%
- Total population: 64,415

47. Okeechobee County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.5%
--- 14.8% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.2%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 38.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 20.1%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 50.8%
- Total population: 31,733

46. Gulf County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.7%
--- 14.4% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 56.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 38.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.1%
- Total population: 13,423

45. Charlotte County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.9%
--- 14.1% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 58.3%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.0%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.8%
- Total population: 154,789

44. Hernando County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 53.9%
--- 14.1% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 56.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.9%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 52.0%
- Total population: 148,796

43. Bay County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 54.0%
--- 13.8% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 56.3%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.4%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 51.8%
- Total population: 143,074

42. Union County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 54.2%
--- 13.6% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 53.9%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.4%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.6%
- Total population: 12,362

41. Gilchrist County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 54.5%
--- 13.1% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.7%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.9%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.3%
- Total population: 14,051

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40. Indian River County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 55.1%
--- 12.2% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 59.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.8%
- Total population: 125,597

39. Putnam County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 55.2%
--- 12.0% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 52.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 36.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 18.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 54.3%
- Total population: 57,138

38. Madison County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 55.5%
--- 11.5% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 58.4%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 39.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 18.4%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 54.0%
- Total population: 14,989

37. Okaloosa County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 55.8%
--- 11.1% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 59.7%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.9%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.5%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.4%
- Total population: 156,180

36. Martin County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 56.1%
--- 10.6% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 57.3%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.9%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 56.7%
- Total population: 131,352

35. Glades County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 56.2%
--- 10.4% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 56.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 40.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.1%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 54.3%
- Total population: 11,245

34. Hardee County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 56.3%
--- 10.2% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 54.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 40.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 18.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 53.5%
- Total population: 20,018

33. Citrus County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 56.3%
--- 10.2% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 57.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 35.3%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 56.9%
- Total population: 121,711

32. Marion County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 56.5%
--- 10.0% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 62.4%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.5%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 60.4%
- Total population: 283,087

31. Highlands County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 56.6%
--- 9.8% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 57.9%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 39.5%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.1%
- Total population: 84,429

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30. Hamilton County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 57.0%
--- 9.1% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 57.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 41.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 18.9%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 56.0%
- Total population: 11,574

Jefferson County, FL — Ken Badgley/Getty Images

29. Jefferson County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 57.0%
--- 9.1% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 60.2%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 39.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 19.5%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 56.8%
- Total population: 11,783

28. Sumter County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 57.1%
--- 9.0% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 60.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 26.9%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 56.0%
- Total population: 112,146

27. Manatee County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 57.9%
--- 7.7% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 60.7%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 39.5%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 25.0%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 58.3%
- Total population: 303,375

26. Lake County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 58.2%
--- 7.2% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 61.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.3%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 58.3%
- Total population: 269,794

25. Flagler County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 58.2%
--- 7.2% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 58.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.4%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 58.7%
- Total population: 88,402

24. Volusia County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 58.5%
--- 6.8% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 62.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 39.7%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.1%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.7%
- Total population: 433,326

#9. Brevard County, Florida — Zhukova Valentyna / Shutterstock

23. Brevard County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 58.5%
--- 6.8% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 61.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 40.4%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 55.8%
- Total population: 469,998

22. Seminole County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 59.1%
--- 5.8% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 60.9%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 39.0%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 25.4%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 57.2%
- Total population: 358,208

21. Collier County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 59.6%
--- 5.0% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 59.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 40.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 26.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 57.1%
- Total population: 299,554

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20. DeSoto County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 60.1%
--- 4.2% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 59.2%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 44.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 56.4%
- Total population: 29,254

19. Lee County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 60.1%
--- 4.2% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 59.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 38.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 54.2%
- Total population: 588,693

18. Escambia County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 60.3%
--- 3.9% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 60.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 40.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.4%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 59.4%
- Total population: 246,269

17. Sarasota County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 60.7%
--- 3.2% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 63.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 37.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 26.0%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 58.4%
- Total population: 352,164

16. Pasco County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 60.8%
--- 3.1% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 62.9%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 40.5%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.4%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 62.4%
- Total population: 406,411

15. Pinellas County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 61.4%
--- 2.2% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 65.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 42.9%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 26.3%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 63.0%
- Total population: 798,558

14. Polk County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 61.9%
--- 1.3% lower than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 59.7%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 41.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 21.5%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 61.8%
- Total population: 518,793

13. Duval County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 63.6%
--- 1.4% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 63.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 42.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.4%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 59.9%
- Total population: 714,286

12. Orange County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 63.8%
--- 1.8% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 63.8%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 45.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 61.1%
- Total population: 1,024,121

11. St. Lucie County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 64.1%
--- 2.1% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 63.9%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 42.4%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.1%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 63.4%
- Total population: 243,531

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10. Palm Beach County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 65.4%
--- 4.2% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 67.2%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 44.8%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 25.1%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 64.1%
- Total population: 1,166,266

9. Leon County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 65.4%
--- 4.2% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 66.1%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 45.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.8%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 61.9%
- Total population: 234,087

Key West — felixmizioznikov/Getty Images

8. Monroe County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 65.7%
--- 4.7% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 65.6%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 44.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 30.0%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 64.5%
- Total population: 64,795

7. Gadsden County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 65.9%
--- 5.1% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 66.7%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 46.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 17.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 63.7%
- Total population: 35,930

6. Hillsborough County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 66.6%
--- 6.2% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 66.5%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 45.9%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.4%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 67.1%
- Total population: 1,063,125

5. Alachua County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 67.1%
--- 7.0% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 68.4%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 45.0%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 27.3%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 63.9%
- Total population: 215,778

4. Broward County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 68.9%
--- 9.8% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 66.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 48.1%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.6%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 65.0%
- Total population: 1,500,346

3. Osceola County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 69.2%
--- 10.4% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 71.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 49.2%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 22.7%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 66.1%
- Total population: 254,625

2. Hendry County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 69.5%
--- 10.8% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 64.9%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 51.3%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 24.0%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 64.4%
- Total population: 29,363

1. Miami-Dade County

- Percentage who are worried about climate change: 71.2%
--- 13.5% higher than Florida average
- Percentage who agree that global warming is affecting weather in the US: 70.0%
- Percentage who think global warming will harm them personally: 55.6%
- Percentage who hear about global warming in the media at least weekly: 23.9%
- Percentage who think Congress should be doing more to address global warming: 66.4%
- Total population: 2,165,208

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