March 28, 2024

Economic yearbook 2011

Southwest - Yearbook

Amy Keller | 4/1/2011

Throughout the region, economic developers are looking to broaden their employment bases. Sarasota County is diversifying as well but also is trying to capitalize on a demographic base heavy with affluent retirees.

Southwest Florida

SARASOTA COUNTY GOALS

> Promote and grow the region's nascent film and entertainment industry.

> Expand export opportunities for local companies and attract investment for foreign companies seeking markets in the U.S.

> Promote initiatives that complement the region (including its older population base), such as its Institute for the Ages, medical tourism and a creativity institute.

> Grow businesses and create jobs.

Jobs
MSA DEC. 2010 DEC 2009 % Change Jobless Rate
Bradenton/ Sarasota/ North Port 274,768 272,225 +0.9% 11.6%
Cape Coral/ Fort Myers 240,286 240,076 NC 12.5%
Naples/ Marco Island 128,248 127,048 +0.9% 11.5%
Punta Gorda 60,389 59,809 +1.0% 12.0%
Source: Agency for Workforce Innovation

Homes Single-family, existing-home sales by Realtors
MSA Jan. 2011 Sales 1-Year Change Jan. 2011 Price 1-Year Change
Fort Myers/ Cape Coral
1,072 -4% $88,500 -3%
Punta Gorda
260 +33% $86,300 -15%
Sarasota/ Bradenton 742 +12% $136,300 -13%
Source: Florida Realtors

Sarasota Population: 374,809
Population Growth Rate (2007-11): 0.40%
Population by Age:
0-14
15-19 20-39 40-64 65+
13.2% 4.6%
17.9% 33.5% 30.8%
Per Capita Income: $53,723

Sarasota Retirees
Sean Snaith, director of the Institute for Economic Competitiveness at the University of Central Florida, told Sarasota business leaders at the 2011 Economic Outlook luncheon that because Sarasota tends to attract a "more affluent retiree who's not as dependent on the value of their home up in Jersey" that Sarasota tends to stay "out ahead" of a lot of other regions as the economy slowly recovers. [Photo: Bill Speer]

Tags: Southwest

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