Explanation of Indicator
Per capita income is a measure of the wealth of an area’s population
as well as an indicator of the economic health of that region. Per
capita income is determined by dividing the total income of coastal
county residents by the total population of the coastal counties.
Non-coastal per capita income is calculated by dividing the total
income of non-coastal counties by the total population of non-coastal
counties. For the purposes of this indicator, the per capita income
of the coastal counties will be compared to the per capita income for
the non-coastal counties.
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.
Data Limitations
The population figures used to calculate per capita income are
estimates derived from mathematical analyses based on census data
collected every ten years. While some flaws and biases are inherent
in the census information due to the data collection process and
mathematical analysis, they are not defects that reduce the utility
and validity of these figures. The data presented are not adjusted
to a base year, so there is no adjustment for inflation or cost of
living increases.
Data Analysis
The per capita income in coastal counties was consistently higher
(approximately twenty percent higher) than the per capita income for
non-coastal counties between 1975 and 1992. The explanation for
this is that the coastal counties have amenities, such as ports and
natural features, that attract both businesses and individuals.
Thus, most of the jobs in the state are located in coastal counties
since they are centers of population and commerce. This could also
be an indication of a higher cost of living in coastal versus
non-coastal counties. With the exception of the income figures for
1991 and 1992, the per capita income for both coastal and non-coastal
counties has shown a trend of fairly steady increase.
Year Coastal Non-Coastal Year Coastal Non-Coastal Counties Counties Counties Counties 1975 $ 5,663 $ 4,776 1984 $13,836 $11,343 1976 $ 6,092 $ 5,097 1985 $14,794 $12,488 1977 $ 6,752 $ 5,532 1986 $15,637 $12,857 1978 $ 7,628 $ 6,003 1987 $16,428 $13,492 1979 $ 8,546 $ 7,269 1988 $17,093 $14,340 1980 $ 9,710 $ 7,865 1989 $18,788 $15,288 1981 $ 10,914 $ 8,848 1990 $20,152 $15,945 1982 $ 12,237 $ 9,857 1991 $19,949 $16,285 1983 $ 12,930 $ 10,633 1992 $19,229 $16,965