What is BEBR?
Founded in 1929, The Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) is an applied research center in the
Warrington College of Business Administration at the University of Florida. BEBR’s mission is to
collect, analyze and generate economic and demographic data on Florida and its local areas; conduct
economic and demographic research that will inform public policy and business decision making; and
to distribute data and research findings throughout the state and the nation.
Did you know?
BEBR produces Florida’s official state and local population estimates and projections. These estimates and projections are used for distributing state revenue-sharing dollars to cities and counties in Florida and for budgeting, planning and policy analysis by state and local government agencies, businesses, researchers, the media, and members of the general public.
BEBR conducts surveys for clients such as the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, the Florida Department of Transportation, the Florida Public Service Commission, the Kaiser Family
Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the RAND Corporation, and academic researchers at UF and other universities. A monthly survey monitors changes in the consumer confidence of Floridians, providing an important indicator of the state’s economic outlook.
BEBR produces a county price level index used by the Florida Legislature to allocate K-12
educational funds to school districts in Florida. It conducts policy-relevant analyses on topics such as the economic effects of changes in Florida’s property tax system, the costs and benefits of alternative teacher preparation programs, and methods for estimating local differences in the cost of living.
BEBR provides employment and training for many graduate and undergraduate students each
year, making it possible for them to support themselves financially and enhancing their job skills and credentials.
BEBR has published the Florida Statistical Abstract each year since 1967. This award-winning
volume is the leading source of data on Florida and its cities and counties, providing information on population, housing, employment, income, education, health, tourism, elections, and much more.
BEBR answers more than 300 e-mails and telephone calls each month, providing data and analysis to government officials, employers, faculty members, news reporters, and many other data users. The BEBR Web site receives more than 5,000 unique visitors each month.