POPULATION AND DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS 



N. Alan Sheppard 

 Associate Professor of Education 

 Virginia Polytechnic Institute 

 Falls Church, VA 22042 



INTRODUCTION 



This report is a review of the population and demographic characteristics 

 of Northwest Florida (Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf and 

 Franklin Counties). It explicates and synthesizes information on population, 

 income, labor, health, education, and human services. 



Because much of this report was written before the 1980 census data 

 became available, projected population statistics for Northwest Florida in 

 1980 and after are based on trends from 1960 to 1970. The projections, based 

 primarily on births, deaths, and migration, were prepared by the Population 

 Division, Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Flor- 

 ida. 



STATE OF FLORIDA 



From 1950 to 1960, Florida's population increased more (79%) than any 

 other state. In 1960-70, the percentage increase was second only to Nevada 

 and the increase in numbers was topped only by California. 



From 1970 to 1980, Florida's population increased by 2.9 million (6.8 to 

 9.7 million, about 43%) according to the 1980 Census of Population and Hous- 

 ing, U.S. Department of Commerce (1981). Florida's population is now the 

 eighth largest in the Nation. 



Annual growth rates have varied considerably. The rate of growth was 

 about 5% in the early 1950' s, 8% in the late 1950' s, 3% in the late 1960's, 5% 

 in early 1970' s, less than 2% in the mid 1970' s, and 3% in 1979 (Florida 

 Chamber of Commerce 1979). Florida's growth has brought about a steady 

 increase in employment in the tourist trade, service, and manufacturing 

 industries. 



Florida's growth has been explosive. In 1950-80, its population increased 

 from 2.7 million to 9.74 million (an increase of more than 250%), whereas the 

 United States increase was only 45%. More than 90% of Florida's increase in 

 population was caused by immigration from other states. 



