Non-Hispanic whites leaving Broward, Palm Beach County in large numbers
Non-Hispanic whites are leaving Broward and Palm Beach counties in droves. Meanwhile, the dramatic growth of Hispanics and other minority groups has slowed to a trickle.
The latest U.S. census estimates, released today, show that the number of non-Hispanic whites in Broward County went down by more than 24,000 between 2006 and 2007, single-handedly accounting for the county's drop in total population. In Palm Beach County, that number dropped by more than 9,000.
At the same time, the number of Hispanics increased by more than 9,000 in Broward and about 7,000 in Palm Beach County. The number of blacks jumped by almost 2,000 in both counties last year.
Contrast that with the year 2000, when the Hispanic and black populations went up by more than 30,000 and 19,000 in Broward, respectively. That year, Hispanics climbed by nearly 13,000 and blacks by 7, 000 in Palm Beach County.
Since at least 2000, the influx of minorities more than made up for the departing non-Hispanic whites. No more.
Stan Smith, director at the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research, said soaring housing costs and the national economic woes are behind the slowdown in the growth of the Hispanic population here. Even so, Hispanics from other areas, such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, still are coming, he said.
More on this topic:
Census: Treasure Coast Hispanic population doubled since 2000, now at more than 12% - TCPalm- August 7, 2008
Southwest Florida more crowded and more diverse - Naples Daily News - August 7, 2008
Manatee posts slight rise in 2006-07 population - Bradenton Herald - August 7, 2008
Counties' complexions change with economy - Orlando Sentinel - August 7, 2008
By 2042, feds say, minorities will be the majority in U.S. - Ft. Myers News-Press - August 15, 2008
