Florida Retirement Buzz

   Florida was an important stop in the presidential primary season.   Senator John McCain was victorious in the Republican primary, while Senator Hillary Clinton won the State’s Democratic contest. 

It is noteworthy that Florida’s population of 18.3 million grew by 2.3 million people from 2000 to 2007, the nation’s third-highest numeric growth during that period. 

Florida also has the highest percentage of residents age 65 and over.

About 64 percent of Florida’s voting-age citizens cast a ballot in the 2004 general election, which is not statistically different from the national rate. 

Highlights include the following:

Florida Presidential Primary Snapshot

Selected Characteristics	Florida	U.S.
Population change: 2000-2007	14.20%	7.20%
Median age	39.6	36.4
Population 65 and over	16.80%	12.40%
Women	50.90%	50.70%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino	61.30%	66.40%
Black alone	15.80%	12.80%
Hispanic or Latino	20.20%	14.80%
Median household income	$45,495	$48,451
Foreign born	18.90%	12.50%
Persons below poverty	12.60%	13.30%
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	25.30%	27.00%
Median home value	$230,600	$185,200

Source: U.S Census Bureau  Population Estimates (2007).