From Hogs To Lottery Tickets, Abstract Answers Florida’s Questions

November 22, 1996

GAINESVILLE—A typical phone call in a typical day for Carol McLarty might be from a reporter wanting to know where Florida ranks in U.S. hog production.

“Twenty-ninth,” is her answer. “Florida’s not really a hog state.”

As a coordinator for information and publications with the Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) at the University of Florida, McLarty has the answer to this question and hundreds more at her fingertips in the latest edition of BEBR’s Florida Statistical Abstract.

The annual 800-plus page reference volume has provided researchers, decision-makers and the curious with the largest collection of data about Florida and its counties for 30 years. The 1996 edition is now available from BEBR, almost two months ahead of schedule.

The statistical tables, notes, charts and maps found in the volume include just about everything businesspeople or the amateur demographer needs to know. The abstract offers data in varying detail on 25 topics, including population, housing, education, income and wealth, tourism and state comparisons. The publication is produced by three full- time staffers and two student assistants. This year’s 30th edition marks the first time the distribution will be handled from the UF office.

“The abstract usually comes out in January,” said editor Susan Floyd. “We’re very pleased to have it printed and ready for the public by November.”

Additions to the 1996 abstract include Hispanic population estimates, occupation and industry growth trends and boating and personal watercraft accident statistics.

Floyd, also coordinator for information and publications with BEBR, has worked on the Florida Statistical Abstract for more than 20 years. She said the new data added each year usually reflect the concerns and interests of the public.

“When I first started in the early 70s, there was a huge demand for oil and gasoline statistics,” Floyd said. “Today, people are more concerned with health-related data and criminal justice statistics.”

Floyd said because Florida is one of the most popular states in the country for boating and personal watercraft, the new series of tables devoted to these types of accidents will be of particular interest to many users.

Information in the abstract reveals there were 68 fatal boating accidents in Florida in 1995, with “falls overboard” reported as the leading type of fatality. Of the 1,821 operators involved in boating accidents last year, most were between the ages of 22 and 35. And, even though Dade County had the greatest number of registered vessels, Monroe County had the highest number of accidents statewide.

The abstract is one of many publications and services supplied by BEBR. The UF bureau provides state and county economic forecasts, monthly consumer attitude survey results and Florida population estimates for the periods between national census reports.

The Florida County Rankings and County Perspective are also published by BEBR, by-products of the Florida Statistical Abstract. Floyd and her staff take pertinent data from the abstract that is related to business and industry in the state and conduct additional analysis. The 1996 editions will be available from BEBR in January.

For example, from Florida County Rankings 1996, a researcher can discover that Duval County produced the most solid waste, per capita, in the state. The researcher also can determine which county sells the most lottery tickets per capita – Hamilton County.

“We are very diverse in terms of economic information,” Floyd said. “If you need quick stats or county profiles, we probably have what you’re looking for in at least one of our publications.”