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.

For the first time in over a year, the Dow Jones Industrial Index briefly hit 10,000. While much of the economy is still languishing -- for one, unemployment hit 9.8 percent earlier this month -- the Dow has risen roughly 50 percent since March.

Whether the Dow breaking the 10,000 barrier is a good indicator of the larger economy -- or just Wall Street's recent turnaround -- is a matter for debate. Judging by the stock market alone, the economy seems to be inching its way toward a recovery.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Belief that a national economic recovery is under way boosted Florida’s consumer confidence three points to 74 in September, according to a new University of Florida survey.

“I think Florida consumers are buying into the argument that the worst of the recession is over and we have avoided a complete meltdown,” said Chris McCarty, survey director of UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. “Once again they have surprised us with a higher than expected index.”

FORT LAUDERDALE — Cruise up coastal highway A1A. Take in the sea breeze, the sand and surf shimmering in the sun, the palm trees swaying beside luxury high-rise hotels, shops and cafes. The idyllic image helps explain why millions have come to Florida to play, and millions have come back to stay.

WASHINGTON - Six months after Congress approved billions to stimulate the economy, Florida's share is trickling into the state to build roads, shore up gaps in Medicaid and meet a host of local needs.

So far it has not created many jobs.

Employment services in South Florida say the economic-recovery dollars have had little impact on the job market, leaving many job-seekers disillusioned and sometimes desperate.

The following represent city-, county-, and regional-level news stories around the state relating to the BEBR Population Program's recent release of the April 1, 2009 preliminary population estimates.

Brevard's population dipped last year - Florida Today - August 24, 2009
UF: Polk Is Losing People - The Ledger - August 22, 2009

WASHINGTON - Finally, a glimmer of good news has broken through the gloomy jobs picture.

A down-tick in the nation's unemployment rate has raised hopes that the economy is beginning to recover and will produce jobs quicker than expected.

Economists say this and other signs point to recovery, even in states such as Florida that were hit hardest by the recession. The waves of layoffs may be coming to an end.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The state’s double-digit unemployment rate is likely to blame for a two-point drop in Florida’s consumer confidence in July to 67, despite good news about housing prices and the stock market, a new University of Florida survey finds.

“We had expected consumer confidence to fluctuate between the upper 60s and low 70s for the next few months, but given the current economic climate, this decline comes as a bit of a surprise,” said Chris McCarty, director of UF’s Survey Research Center at the Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

The U.S. Census 2010 will bring up to 3,100 part-time jobs to Jacksonville this fall.

Each of the two Jacksonville offices will have about six managers whose salaries will range from $24 per hour to $28 per hour, said Stacy Gimbel, U.S. Census Bureau spokeswoman. The other estimated 39 non-supervisory workers’ salaries will range from $12 per hour to $16 per hour.

Nine of Brevard County's 16 municipalities lost population from 2007 to 2008, according to newly released Census data. Of the nine, five were beachside communities.

Population experts say the leveling off or decline in population is the result of economic factors, not just within Brevard County, but in Florida overall.

Statewide, the population grew by 0.7 percent from 2007 to 2008, reaching 18.33 million. Since 2000, Florida's population rose 14.2 percent.