Section 3 Affected Environment
SECTION 3 AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT 3.1 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS This section details socio-economic conditions including population, housing, employment, and income characteristics. 3.1.1 Population Characteristics The study area for the Florida High Speed Rail (FHSR) project extends from downtown Tampa in Hillsborough County (Corridor A), through Polk and Osceola counties, and terminates in the city of Orlando in Orange County (Corridor E) (Section 2, Figure 2-1). The counties in this central Florida region are experiencing tremendous growth and are projected to continue this growth pattern in the short-term and long-term future. In each county, a majority of the population resides in unincorporated regions and this trend is projected to continue into the short- term and long-term future. Table 3-1 illustrates county population growth that occurred between the years 1980, 1990, and 2000; population projections for the years 2010 and 2020; and the population percentage change by county and state between the years 1980-1990, 1990-2000, and 2000-2020. Table 3-1 Population Statistics by County and in Florida 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020 Percent Percent Percent Change 1980 1990 1980- 2000 2010 2020 Change 1990- 1990 2000-2020 2000 Florida 9,746,961 12,938,071 32.7 15,982,378 23.5 18,776,000 21,683,300 35.7 Hillsborough 646,939 834,054 28.9 998,948 19.8 1,153,100 1,314,100 31.5 Polk 321,652 405,382 26.0 483,924 19.4 554,900 628,200 29.8 Osceola 49,287 107,728 118.6 172,493 60.1 231,500 294,300 70.6 Orange 470,865 677,491 43.9 896,344 32.3 1,112,200 1,338,300 49.3 Source: Florida Statistical Abstract, 2001 Note: Projections are medium projections and rounded to (1,000's).
[Show full text]