Explanation of Indicator
Patterns of development are determined in part by the age composition
of the population. With elderly populations, development tends to be
of greater density and centrality. Conversely, younger populations tend
to be associated with development that is multi-use in character. The
age of the population is important because of the varying impacts
different age groups have on infrastructure needs, resource use, and
impacts on the environment. The age structure of a population can be
useful when analyzing future policy and planning goals involving
infrastructure and development patterns.
Data Characteristics
SOURCE
This information is found in the Florida Statistical Abstract, produced
annually by the Bureau of Economic and Business Research, College of
Business Administration, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
32611-2017, or (904) 392-0171. The Abstract is available at most major
libraries; it may also be purchased from University Press of Florida,
15 N.W. 15th Street, Gainesville, Florida 32611, or at (904) 392-1351.
ACQUISITION
There are no costs associated with obtaining the data from a public or
university library; however, the Abstract costs $29.95 to purchase.
COLLECTION
This information is collected statewide by county and is estimated every
five years based on decennial census data.
Data Limitations
These data are the best available for this indicator. The limitations
associated with the data are the same limitations inherent in census data.
The collection methodologies and analysis of the population figures may
lead to some double counting, undercounting, or misrepresentation.
Data Analysis
The data show that since 1975, increases have occurred within all age
cohorts. The reason for this increase is the population growth that
has occurred in the coastal counties since 1975. Analysis of each age
group individually reveals that, with the exception of the 15 to 24 and
25 to 44 year old groups, while the population within each cohort
increased, the cohorts generally comprised the same proportion of the
total coastal population in 1990 as they did in 1975. For example, in
1975 the 65 and over age cohort comprised 19 percent of the coastal
population; in 1990 the 65 and over cohort still constituted 19 percent
of the coastal population, even though the number of individuals in
this group increased by 671,059 persons.
The two age groups that reflect changing populations are the 15 to 24 year olds and the 25 to 44 year olds. From 1975 to 1985 the number of individuals in the 15 to 24 year old cohort increased by 175,268 persons, but then declined by approximately 10,000 persons between 1985 and 1990. The proportion of the coastal population represented by 15 to 24 year olds has shown a slight decreasing trend since 1980 when this cohort made up 16 percent of the coastal population. As of 1990, the 15 to 24 year old cohort made up only 12 percent of the coastal population. Conversely, the population of 25 to 44 year olds continued to increase, as did the proportion of the coastal population found in this age cohort. In 1975 this age group represented 22 percent of the coastal population. By 1990 this age cohort represented 30 percent of the coastal population, increasing by over 1,500,000 persons since 1975.
Age Groups 1975 1980 1985 1990 0-14 1,396,320 1,422,825 1,579,489 1,832,956 15-24 1,065,618 1,219,260 1,240,886 1,230,740 25-44 1,487,867 1,899,544 2,337,321 3,033,942 45-64 1,469,811 1,696,300 1,865,950 2,015,857 65+ 1,281,649 1,425,809 1,746,948 1,952,708
