PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (CBS12) — The rapid growth on the Treasure Coast is something that is not slowing down anytime soon.

With almost 255,000 residents, Port St. Lucie is now Florida’s sixth largest city, according to the U.S. Census.

This is up about 50,000 from 2020.

City leaders tell CBS12 News it’s not a matter of all of that growth coming too fast, but taking advantage of all the opportunities that come with it.

“It’s getting a little crowded now, but you get used to it,” said Beverly Kamensky, a Port St. Lucie resident.

“I think it’s good. We’ve been here ever since the developers left and I think the politicians have taken over and done a good job,” said Ed Gillen, a Port St. Lucie resident.

Port St Lucie residents have mixed opinions on the rapid growth of its city.

But Scott Samples, the city’s Public Information Officer, says this is something they have been planning for decades.

“This was kind of a long-term plan. It was expedited a bit as the growth has come at a quick pace. What you’ve seen is the developers who have those property rights to build are really trying to meet the demands they’re seeing from a housing perspective or businesses,” said Samples.

Because of this demand, Port St. Lucie home prices are rising faster than average compared to the rest of the state, selling for a median price of $410,000, according to real estate website Redfin.Com.

But residents say it’s still much more affordable then other big cities.

“Financially, it’s much less expensive living here than in New York,” said Charles Kamensky, a Port St. Lucie resident.

The affordability spiking the demand, leading to more developments, which unfortunately leads to more traffic.

“That’s not a good thing. Especially this time of year,” said Gillen.

“We try not to leave the house before 9am. If we have to go do something, try to be home by 3pm. Rush hour can be a little hectic,” said Kamensky.

Samples says they’re taking a data-driven approach to combat traffic congestion around the city.

“So, where are the places we need to put roads, to expand roads, to build new roads,” said Samples.

That issue also falls on the developers inside neighborhoods.

“If a developer wants to build a housing complex, they have to build the roads to get in there,” said samples.

But perhaps the biggest thing Samples says residents value is green spaces. That’s why the up and coming ‘Port District‘ is a development the city is especially excited about.

The development opened last June with a park and boardwalk on the St. Lucie River. But eventually it will become the River Food Garden, with tons of restaurants and retail.

“The Port District- we’ve seen a tremendous response from the people that are coming there. So, it just shows that it contributes to that quality of life that people have moved to Port St. Lucie for,” said Samples.

Samples placed a big emphasis on the importance of public input.

That’s why just last week, the city held their third public workshop where residents could come, voice their opinions, and help city officials see where the priorities lie now and in the future.

Samples says right now, the city is in the middle of updating their comprehensive plan that looks out until 2045.