Florida In The Year 2010

9 Pages 2208 Words

ando, and Miami to create their own communities (Huckshorn, 1998, pg.235). This age group alone has greatly expanded both the eastern and western coastlines of Florida, where their continuing economic and social contributions are enriching areas of Florida that were once greatly undeveloped. As we see this Baby Boom trend rising nationally, we can expect a continuing flow of the elderly into Florida as they continue to further the areas they have already developed and begin to reach into other parts of the state for future development.
Another growing demographic in Florida’s population make-up is the under eighteen years of age category. As more and more families are taking residence in Florida, they are starting families here with their sons and daughters becoming some of the first generations of Florida natives. Nearly 23.5% of Florida’s population in the year 2000 was this adolescent group, and we can only expect the numbers to grow as Florida’s population in general continues to grow at a rate of 23.5% every ten years (Florida Quick Facts, 2003). As these youths grow up they will be the ones to choose Florida colleges and universities, build businesses and create new economic markets, and stimulate the Florida economy as a whole. In a state that was once considered “a place where everyone lived but no one was from”, this new trend in Florida’s youth population will be a significant factor in what our state looks like in 2010.
With these two growing demographics continuing to explode Florida’s population, the question of where they are going to live arises. The southern, coastal, and even now inner regions of Florida’s peninsula have been thoroughly developed and are running out of room. Where, then, are these retirees and young families seeking the Florida lifestyle? Many of them are choosing to settle down...