Frequently Asked Questions

Florida Estimates of Population provides comparative census data from the 2000 census and county-level census data from the 1980 and 1990 censuses conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Do you have population projections?

Yes, we publish high, medium, and low state- and county-level population projections based on current population estimates in five-year increments to the year 2030 as part of our Florida Population Studies series in Florida Population Studies: Projections of Florida Population by County, an 8-page publication.

Where can I find population estimates and projections broken down by various demographic groups?

State and county population census counts, estimates, and projections by age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin are published in five-year increments to the year 2030 in Florida Population Studies: Population Projections by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for Florida and Its Counties. Age categories are: 0-4, 5-17, 18-34, 35-54, 55-64, 65-79, and 80+. Race categories are: Non-Hispanic White and Non-Hispanic Black.

Where can I find more age and race detail?

Detailed state and county population census counts, estimates, and projections to the year 2030 are available for seven race categories by the following five-year age categories in Detailed Population Projections by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for Florida and Its Counties. Users can order a single individual race category, multiple categories, or order all seven.
Race categories: All races, White, Black, Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Non-White.
Age categories: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, 15-17, 18-19, 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-84, and 85 and over.

Do you have population projections for cities?

No. We only produce and publish state- and county-level data.

Do you have Florida household data?

BEBR produces and publishes state- and county-level household data as part of its Florida Population Studies series in Florida Population Studies: Number of Households and Average Household Size in Florida. This four-page brief features a methodology and trend discussion along with a tabular presentation of the number of households and average household size for the current year. Comparative census data from the 1990 and 2000 censuses conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau are also provided.

What is the Florida Population Studies series?

The Florida Population Studies series is comprised of three annual bulletins that are released after the current year’s population estimates are released: Number of Households and Average Household Size in Florida, Projections of Florida Population by County, and Population Projections by Age, Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin for Florida and Its Counties.

Do I have to purchase all of the bulletins in the Florida Population Studies series, or can I just get what I want?

You have the option of purchasing an annual subscription to all of the bulletins for the year or you may purchase the one(s) you need individually. Back issues are also available.

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Housing

Are building permits and housing starts the same thing?

No. Building permits are issued by county and municipal agencies prior to starting a construction project. However, projects may be reclassified, abandoned, misclassified, or have design changes that can warrant permit changes. Housing start data refers to the actual start of construction. Please visit the U.S. Census Bureau for a complete discussion of factors affecting permit-start-completion relationships.

Do you have residential building permit data for my city?

Monthly and annual building permit data for the state, counties, municipalities, and unincorporated areas of Florida as provided by the U.S. Census Bureau are published in Building Permit Activity in Florida. This report provides data on the total estimated cost of construction and the number of single- and multifamily units permitted within a month or year. Building Permit Activity in Florida also provides comparative data for the same month of the previous year. You may purchase a monthly/annual subscription or order individual reports.

Do you have building permit data for commercial properties?

No. We only publish residential permit data as provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

What data do you have for commercial properties?

The Commercial Properties in Florida, 2003 CD-ROM (with accompanying ARMView software) provides complete access to information about over 320,000 commercial and industrial parcels in the state of Florida. It contains all data fields as reported by the property appraisers to the Florida Department of Revenue in 2003. This product has been discontinued, but copies are still available for 2003 and previous years.

Where can I find historical building permit and housing start data?

Historical annual permit and start data for the state and counties of Florida back to 1976 as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau are published in Annual State and County Building Permits and Housing Starts. Each year’s data is broken down by single- and multifamily units permitted or started for the state and each county.

Do you have housing start and/or building permit projections?

No. We only publish current building permit data in Building Permit Activity in Florida and historical annual data in Annual Annual State and County Building Permits and Housing Starts as provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Where can I find Florida home sales and price data?

Unfortunately, we do not produce home sales and price data. We provide limited Metropolitan Statistical Areas data in the Florida Statistical Abstract from the Florida Association of Realtors. We recommend that you contact the source agency for detailed information.

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Ordering Information

Are your publications free?

Some are, but most must be purchased. Visit our Publications Store or our Free Data section for details. Order forms are available for those publications and products that must be purchased.

I’d like to purchase one of your publications. How do I place an order?

There are a few options available when placing a BEBR publication or product order. You can download a printable order form from our Web site, fill it out, and either fax or mail it to us with the appropriate form of payment (please follow the instructions on the form); or you can phone us to place your order by phone using an acceptable credit card.

Do you have online ordering?

Not at this time. However, we are working toward developing an online ordering system. In the meantime, you can download a printable order form from our Web site and either fax or mail your order (please follow the instructions on the form), or you can phone us to place your order by phone using an acceptable credit card.

Do you accept checks?

Yes. Please make all checks for orders payable to the University of Florida and include the appropriate order form or forms with your check.

Do you accept purchase orders?

No. We do not accept purchase orders.

What kind of credit card can I use to place an order?

We accept either Visa or MasterCard.

How do I check on the status of an order I have already placed?

You can check on your order by phoning us.

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Sales

Where can I find gross and taxable sales data?

Gross and taxable sales as reported by the Florida Department of Revenue are available either by county or by kind code and are reported annually or by month. Order form.

Can you describe how the sales are reported?

Sales are reported either by county or by kind of business, or “kind code.” The county data features a breakdown of the sales for all of the different kinds of business that took place within a certain time period for that particular county. The kind code data reflects sales by a particular kind of business for all of the 67 Florida counties and the state. For example, a report for Alachua County would break out and show the number of reports, gross sales, taxable sales, and the amount of tax collected for approximately 100 different kinds of tax categories. If you were interested in sales within a specific tax category, say, grocery stores, you could request that particular kind code and receive the same breakdown of reports, sales, and collections for grocery stores in each of the 67 counties and the state.

Do you have city-level sales data?

No. Data are only available for the state and each of Florida’s 67 counties. The Florida Department of Revenue does not report city-level sales data.

How many different kinds of businesses are there?

The Florida Department of Revenue breaks out its sales data into approximately 100 different kinds of businesses. The second page of the order form for Gross & Taxable Sales Reports contains a detailed list.

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General

Where can I find general Florida economic, demographic, or social data?

You can phone or email us for assistance.

Do you offer discounts for your publications and data?

Yes. We offer a 10% government agency discount to state and local government agencies and a 10% education discount to schools and students.

What is the best source for a variety of Florida demographic, economic, or social data?

The most comprehensive source of data about Florida is the Florida Statistical Abstract. Data are presented in a 26-chapter, 800-plus page reference volume for the state as a whole and for all 67 Florida counties. Limited city-level data are also available. This publication is available in print or on CD-ROM.

Where can I find comprehensive county-level data for all of the counties in Florida?

Available in print or on CD-ROM, the best source for comprehensive county-level data for all 67 Florida counties is Florida County Rankings. Tables in this publication offer ranked comparisons of each county to the state and to other counties.

Where can I find a large amount of data on one or just a few specific counties?

Florida County Perspective offers the same data presented in Florida County Rankings, but in a single-county format with comparisons to the state. In addition, Perspective provides basic historical demographic, economic, and social data for the state and the specified county for users interested in monitoring trends within a county or counties and making comparisons to the state as a whole. Order form.

How are Florida County Rankings and Florida County Perspective different?

Florida County Rankings and Florida County Perspective primarily differ in presentation. Your decision on which to choose is based upon your need. Florida County Rankings provides a snapshot tabular presentation of all 67 counties and the state on each table throughout the book, arranged in 13 chapters. Rankings also includes relative state data maps. Florida County Perspective is a detailed summary of a single, specified county using all of the variables found in Florida County Rankings. Perspective also includes a special historical section that does not appear in Rankings.

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