Florida population declines 1/3 of 1 percent

In fact, as Reuters proclaimed, Florida’s actual population drop between April of 2008 and April 2009 came to a grand total of 58,000 people. In a medium sized city, 58,000 residents might make a sizable dent.

In a state with 18 million residents, the number of people who have departed represent a net decline of 1/3 of 1% (.003, for those who are statistically minded). If, for some reason, our wonderful sunshine state ceases to attract new residents, but continues its population loss on a yearly basis, then we have only 299.66 years left before we have to turn off the lights permanently.

To add insult to exodus, Time Magazine claimed that rising taxes were driving out residents. The Sun Sentinel suggested that state officials should not be raising taxes during a recession. That practice, it says, will force people to move.

That may be; however, if today’s doomsayers bothered to read CNNMoney.com columns during June and July of this year, they would have discovered that 24 out of 50 states planned various tax hikes in 2009. Among those states were California, with a $21 billion budget gap, Illinois with a $4.5 billion shortfall, and New York, with a mere $4 billion in red ink on its books.

At the moment, Florida’s economic profile is not stellar. Current figures show that Florida state job growth fell 5.3% in June, while the rest of the nation averaged 4.2%. State unemployment averaged close to 10.7%, whereas the national average was 9.5%. The state’s economy isn’t expected to register much of an uptick until early in 2011.

Florida is not alone in its suffering. Arizona, long another mecca for retirees seeking a warmer climate, has an unemployment rate of 11.9%, according to the US Department of Labor. Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina, current competitors of Florida for baby boomers moving south, show unemployment rates of 11.8%, 11%, and 10.3% respectively. In short, most states are suffering.

In the meantime, despite this infinitesimal movement of people away from the state, Florida is showing an increase in month over month real estate sales, and home prices appear to be strengthening.Out of state, as well as foreign buyers, are coming in flush with cash, eager to purchase homes in our state. So to those 58,000 who have left us, we wish you well, wherever you are. Your exit may have helped to ease our highway congestion by one third of one percent.

Written by Marc Jablon, Realty Associates
marcjablon@yahoo.com - 561 / 213 – 6139
www.MarcJablonHomes.com