Congratulations. The recession is over.

Uncle Sam (a.k.a. the Department of Commerce) reported Thursday that the economy grew at a 3.5 percent pace in the third quarter, the first positive upswing in 15 months.

But few are buying the argument that our economic winter has ended, particularly in Florida. Not with rising, double-digit unemployment and surging credit card defaults.

E-mail - Price per county. Print by special request only - add $5 per county. CD-ROM includes all 67 counties (Microsoft Excel for PC and Acrobat® PDF).

You’ll find rankings of over 800 current data topics for the county (or counties) of your choosing along with a comprehensive historical data series for the state and county.

Download/E-mail price. Print or CD-ROM extra.

How does your county compare to other counties in the state? Florida County Rankings provides at-a-glance ranked data for nearly 800 current data topics for all 67 counties in the state of Floria. Includes pertinent data maps throughout.

1/2 PRICE BOOK SALE! Reduced to $25.

Get both the 2008 Book and the Florida Statistical Abstract on CD-ROM as a set for only $75

AUBER 2009 Award of Excellence in Publications Winner

Acclaimed for over forty years as the state data book, and recognized nationally by the Association for University Business and Economic Research as a 2009 Award of Excellence in Publications award winner in its class, the Florida Statistical Abstract continues to set the standard for reliable economic and demographic data, containing the largest collection of state and county statistics on demographic, social, and economic conditions in Florida. Selected national and comparative data for other states and countries are also included.

WASHINGTON -- Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, warning that ''millions of Americans cannot find affordable financing for basic credit needs,'' announced a major expansion of the federal bailout on Tuesday -- as much as $800 billion to make mortgages and consumer credit more available and affordable.

A shortage of credit in auto loans has strangled sales in that industry, helping drive sales down to their lowest level in 17 years. In Florida, car sales were down 31 percent in the third quarter, CNW Market Research reported.

Consumers haven't been in much of a mood to spend lately given the state of the economy, but even those who are find that lenders are less in a mood to extend credit.

Lenders have clamped down on the lax lending standards behind much of the turmoil that started when mortgages sold between institutional investors ended in foreclosure. The shift in the economy also means more people are considered higher credit risks even if their personal circumstances have not yet changed.

Although the $700 billion economic bailout was passed Friday within a week of debate, it may take longer before the economy feels its effects.

The country’s recession will probably last between about nine months and a year, Denslow said. Without the bailout, it would probably have lasted at least two years.

Denslow said the 778–point drop in the stock market Monday following the House’s denial was a wake–up call that helped to change many Congressmen’s minds.

“It’s becoming clearer that we are in a recession,” he said.

According to survey figures released Tuesday, statewide consumer confidence fell again this month, surpassing a 16-year low recorded in March.

The results of the monthly University of Florida survey was one of several pieces of unpleasant economic news that came out Tuesday. Among the others:

• A national home-price survey showed that the South Florida market was the second-fastest-falling in the nation in February.

• A study found that Florida ranked fourth in the nation for the number of mortgage foreclosures during the first quarter.

BOOK SPECIAL $25; Available on CD-ROM (Microsoft Excel for PC and Acrobat® PDF)

Acclaimed for over forty years as the state data book, the Florida Statistical Abstract continues to set the standard for reliable economic and demographic data, containing the largest collection of state and county statistics on demographic, social, and economic conditions in Florida. Selected national and comparative data for other states and countries are also included.