POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS 



N. Alan Sheppard 



Associate Professor of Education 



Virginia Polytechnic Institute 



Falls Church, VA 22042 



INTRODUCTION 



This report focuses on the population and demographic characteristics of 

 Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Monroe, Pasco, 

 Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties in Southwest Florida (Figure 1) and examines 

 and analyzes information on population and income characteristics, levels of 

 education, labor, and human services. It also identifies data gaps and incon- 

 sistencies. 



Since much of this report was written before the 1980 Census data became 

 available, empirical data on population components such as age, race, and sex 

 are lacking. The reliability and validity of the projections for these com- 

 ponents in 1980 are subject to error. The accuracy of these estimates is di- 

 rectly related to the degree that the various assumptions are valid for the 

 methodology used. 



POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS 



STATE OF FLORIDA 



From 1950 to 1960, Rorida's population growth was faster (79%) than any 

 other state. From 1960 to 1970, the percentage increase was second only to 

 Nevada, and the increase in number was topped only by California. 



Florida's 1980 population was 9.7 million, which was 2.9 million or 43% 

 over the 1970 population of 6.8 million (U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau 

 of the Census 1981). Florida's population is now eighth largest in the 

 Nation. 



Florida's population growth has been explosive. In 1950 to 1980, its 

 population increased from 2.7 million to 9.7 million (an increase of more than 

 250%). The United States was only 45%. Florida's rapid growth is expected to 

 continue. More than 90% of the State's increase population was caused by 

 immigration from other states. 



