THE VILLAGES — While at their neighborhood recreation center, Village of Duval residents Paul and Dawne Lampson gazed across the street last week and expressed an amazement shared by neighbors Jerry and Sue Wilson and Jim and Gayle Opatrny.

Just a year or so ago, an expanse of undeveloped land existed across the street from the Odell Circle pool, bocce court and postal station.

TALLAHASSEE - Since World War II, Florida has beckoned retirees looking to spend their golden years in the sun. The steady stream has made Florida's population the oldest in the nation.

Now, Florida is headed for an even grayer future in the Baby Boomer retirement era, state economists and demographers predict. The consequences: worker shortages and severe strains on public pensions and government services.

Released November 2009, this Microsoft Excel document, "Estimates of Population by County and City in Florida," appears as Table 1 of the upcoming annual Florida Estimates of Population due for release in early 2010, and presents the state's official population estimates, census counts, population change since the 2000 census, and inmate population for Florida and its counties, cities, and unincorporated areas for the specified year.

E-mail. Printed copies by special request only - add $5.00 per copy ordered.

Four out of 10 households in Marion County are occupied by someone who is 65 or older.

That is perhaps no surprise in Florida which, according to recently released census statistics, ranks first in the nation for percentage of older households.

It's rare when a news conference includes the whirling moves of a Flamenco dancer and the taste of savory Cuban sandwiches.

That was the scene Tuesday near the steps of the LeRoy Collins Public Library, as Leon County officials kicked of the 2009 Hispanic Heritage Fest: A Celebration of Culture. Later, the celebration continued with an art exhibit, a poetry reading and more dancing at the Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science. Events are planned through Saturday.

The most vivid sign of Florida's fight against recession came in August with the news that the state's ever-rising population declined in the 12 months ending April 1. Preliminary estimates show a drop of 58,000 in a state where growth has fueled the economic engine for more than 60 years.

The Tallahassee metropolitan statistical area, however, gained population during the same period. Wakulla County's increase of 3.5 percent to 31,791 was the most dramatic.

This table features Florida population census counts, April 1, 2000, and estimates 2001 through 2009, for the state, counties, municipalities, and unincorporated areas (last updated November 2009). Available in Microsoft Excel or Adobe Acrobat PDF formats.

Phone 352-392-0171 x 212 or e-mail info@bebr.ufl.edu to order.