Explanation of Indicator
This indicator describes the average number of people occupying one square
mile in Florida's coastal areas. The total land area of Florida is
54,190 square miles; the coastal counties account for 30,069 square
miles (55.5% of Florida’s land area) and the non-coastal counties
account for the remaining 24,121 square miles (44.5%). The population
density is derived by dividing total square miles into the total
population. This is a useful indicator since population growth
can indirectly indicate the competition for space placed on the
environment and on urban development. While this indicator displays
roughly the same information as does straight population, showing
population growth as a ratio of a fixed commodity like land makes
the impact more meaningful.
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 annually, statewide by county, based on
decennial U.S. Census figures.
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
Increases in population density mirror the increases in absolute
population. From 1920 to 1990 the population density in coastal
counties increased almost 1,800%, from 19.03 to 335.21 people per
square mile. This rate of increase is greater than that of the
non-coastal counties (about 724%) and the state (over 1,300%).
Therefore, it can be said that the population density in the coastal
counties is increasing faster than in the rest of the state.
The primary reason is that the coast offers natural amenities,
which attract businesses and population.
The greatest percent change in coastal county population density occurred between 1950 and 1960, when the density increased by 60.58 persons per square mile, or 90.20 percent. The largest increase in the state’s population density also occurred between 1950 and 1960, whereas the greatest change for the non-coastal counties’ population density occurred between 1970 and 1980. The smallest amount of change in coastal counties within a decade occurred between 1970 and 1980, when the absolute change was only 63.88 persons per square mile, or 35.60 percent. The non-coastal counties experienced their smallest change between 1930 and 1940, when the density only increased by 2.82 persons per square mile, or 13.06 percent. The decade of least change for the state was also 1930 to 1940, when the population density changed by 7.93 persons, or 29.25 percent. The data show that the coastal counties were growing at a faster rate than the rest of the state prior to the 1980 census, when the non-coastal counties began to experience larger increases in population density than the coastal counties.
Year Non- Percent Coastal Percent Florida Percent Coastal Change Change Change 1920 16.45 -- 19.03 -- 17.88 -- 1930 21.59 31.25 30.22 58.80 27.11 51.62 1940 24.41 13.06 43.55 44.11 35.04 29.25 1950 31.27 28.10 67.16 54.21 51.18 46.06 1960 46.26 47.94 127.74 90.20 91.44 78.66 1970 58.13 25.66 179.43 40.47 125.41 37.15 1980 86.31 48.48 243.31 35.60 179.98 43.51 1990 119.04 37.92 335.21 37.77 238.91 32.74