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Section 1: Area Description

According to 2010 US Census data, Pinellas County had an estimated population of 916,542 residents (3,274.3 persons per square mile). In 2009, 5% of the population was under 5 years old, 18.3% was under 18 years of age, and 21.1% of the population was 65 years of age or older. Pinellas County female residents made up 51.9% of the population. Utilizing the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 2005-2009 5 year estimates, 11.6% of Pinellas County’s total population was living in poverty (See Appendix D, The Economic Impact of Poverty presented at the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners 2012 Workshop Session, May 17, 2012). The 2010 median household income in Pinellas County was $43,200, up from $36,684 in the 2000 census, but under the statewide average of $44,755 in 2009. An increase in racial diversity occurred in Pinellas County between 1990 and 2010. The proportion of White residents decreased, whereas African American/Black, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian, and those reporting Other increased. The Hispanic population has increased an overall 395% since 2000. Based on 2010 estimations, White residents make up more than 82.1% of the racial identity of individuals living in Pinellas County.

Race Distribution for Pinellas County Residents

Racial CategoryNumber
2000
Percent
2000
Estimated Number
2010
Estimated Percent
2010
Total Population921,482100.0%916,542100.0%
Total Hispanics
(includes mixed ethnicities/races)
42,7604.6%211,72123%
White*762,61482.8%752,48182.1%
Black*81,1468.8%94,40410.3%
American Indian and Eskimo*2,2920.25%2,7500.3%
Asian*18,7942.04%27,4963.0%
Hawaiian and Pacific Islander4350.05%9170.1%
Other*1,3260.14%--------------
Two or More Races*12,1151.3%20,1642.2%


 SOURCE:US Census Bureau.

In 2010, 11.2% of Pinellas County residents reported that they were foreign born. 12.8% of households speak a language other than English in the home. 88.1% of residents have a high school diploma and 27.1% have a Bachelor’s Degree or above. Nearly 110,000 people in Pinellas County (12% of our population) live below poverty level. Of this percentage, the vast majority are women and children (28.9% of households headed by single women are poor). By working 40 hours a week at minimum wage in 2010, a person could earn $1,257 a month. In comparison, the average rent for a single parent and two children was $959, based on United States Housing and Urban Development Market Statistics in Pinellas County. That leaves these families with $298 a month to pay for food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, and other living expenses. Pinellas County government is a unique, complex mix of 25 governmental bodies: one for each of the 24-cities/ municipalities and one for the unincorporated area. Almost half of the county is unincorporated, and the residents living in these areas are govUntitled5erned by, pay taxes to and receive services directly from the Pinellas County government.

Pinellas County has both urban and rural areas. It is located in the Southwest portion of Florida on the state’s Gulf Coast. St. Petersburg is the largest city, followed by the City of Clearwater. There are 35 miles of beach and 588 miles of coastline in the county. There are over 40,000 businesses with the top industries representing Health Services, Tourism, Manufacturing and Financial sectors. In 2009, the median cost of owner occupied housing units was $185,700. The Pinellas County School district currently operates 126 schools, housing 102,788 PK-12 students in 24 municipalities. It is the 7th largest school district in the state and 25th largest in the nation. The student population is 62% Caucasian, 18.6% African American/Black, 9.3% Hispanic, 3.9% Asian, 0.3% Native American, and 3.3% multi-racial. Fifty-two percent of the students in the district are categorized as low-income or economically disadvantaged and receive free or reduced-price lunch. Additionally, 14% of students receive exceptional education services as students with disabilities, and 5% have limited English proficiency. In addition, 18% of births in Pinellas County were from teen moms and 76.7% of pregnant women received prenatal care in the first trimester.

 

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