professionals in Northwest Florida are in Bay, Escambia, and Okaloosa Counties 

 (Table 20). 



About 5% of the hospitals and beds in the State are in Northwest Florida. 

 In 1979-80, it had 4.0 beds per 1,000 population compared to 5.5 for the State 

 (Table 21). The number of licensed professionals and medical facilities is 

 likely to remain constant in the 1980's. Although the number of employees in 

 health services has increased steadily since 1956, the percentage increase is 

 less than that for the State (Table 22). 



WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE 



Florida had the largest population increase and more retail sales from 

 1950 to 1980 than any other State in the southeast United States. In 1979, 

 Florida's retail sales of $40.5 billion were seventh among all states. 



The number of wholesale and retail establishments and sales volume in 

 Northwest Florida in 1960-80 lagged considerably behind the State (U.S. 

 Department of Commerce 1962, 1967, 1973; Florida Statistical Abstract 1980). 

 This deficiency is not surprising given the slow growth in the economy and the 

 high degree of unemployment in Northwest Florida. Tables EMP28 to EMP 38 in 

 the Data Appendix describe the retail and wholesale establishments in North- 

 west Florida. The wholesale and retail trade sector provides goods and serv- 

 ices for local consumption. With the exception of goods and services sold to 

 tourists, the wholesale and trade sector generates little income for the gulf 

 coast economy. Wholesale and retail trade is dependent upon income- producing 

 sectors for its existence. 



SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 



In general terms. Northwest Florida is rather sparsely populated, decid- 

 edly more rural than urban and relatively slow growing compared to the State 

 as a whole. Recent population increases are due to natural increases rather 

 than to immigration. 



Blacks are the largest and Hispanics are the second largest non-White 

 groups in Northwest Florida. Females, both Black and White, outnumber males. 

 Whites outnumber non-Whites by a substantial margin. Future population pro- 

 jections are that there will be minimal growth in the next 40 years. 



The Northwest Florida region is weaker economically than most other areas 

 of Florida. In 1970, about 20% of families were at the poverty level and only 

 about lOX earned $15,000 or more. Most poor people receive food stamps and 

 aid for families with dependent children (AFDC) funds. 



Median school years completed in Northwest Florida are lower than for the 

 State and non-Whites tend to have less education than Whites. 



Unemployment in Northwest Florida is higher than the State average. 

 Although males are far more abundant in the labor market than females, female 

 employment had increased considerably since 1950. 



24 



