St. Lucie County is ideally located on the east coast of Florida
and is served by the St. Lucie County International Airport and
within an hour of the Palm Beach International Airport. In addition
to the strong local and growing labor base, St. Lucie County offers
an area where existing or newly hired employees will be excited
to live, providing a significant benefit in attracting, recruiting
and retaining the best scientific minds in the necessary fields.
The area along the east coast of Florida encompassing Indian River,
Martin and St. Lucie Counties is known as Florida's Research Coast
for economic development purposes and as the Treasure Coast for
tourism purposes. Displayed below are the demographics regarding
population, labor force, unemployment, average wage, etc. for the
Research Coast and St. Lucie County.
| |
St. Lucie County Only |
Research Coast* |
| Square
Miles (1990) |
573 |
1,633 |
| Population (1990) |
150,170 |
341,278 |
| Population
(2005) |
240,039 |
488,925 |
| Population Projection (2010) |
322,000 |
548,968 |
| Labor
Force (Jan.
2006) |
107,856 |
247,399 |
| Unemployment Rate (Jan. 2006) |
3.5% |
3.0% |
| Average
Wage Rate (Jan.
2006) |
$32,344 |
$32,552 |
| Median Age (2005) |
43 |
46 |
| Education:
% High School
Age 25+ (2005) |
73% |
76% |
| Education: % Some College Age 25+
(2005) |
41% |
47% |
| Education:
%Bachelor’s
Degree Age 25+
(2005) |
16% |
15% |
| Education: % Graduate Degree Age
25+ (2005) |
6% |
8% |
The dramatic population
increases along
the Research Coast
within the past
several years correlate
directly to an increase
in St. Lucie County's
workforce. St. Lucie
County's population
has increased 25%
in the last 5 years;
increasing from
a population of
192,695 in 2000
to an estimated
240,039 people in
2005. Proportionately,
the workforce has
increased approximately
27% within the last
5 years. These increases
in turn, are changing
the face of St.
Lucie County's workforce
and increasing the
number of workers
with new and advanced
skills. A higher
than average percentage
of the total regional
population has a
high school diploma,
or equivalent, plus
post-secondary education
and training when
compared to the
state and the nation.
Regional public
schools and colleges
are working to increase
the number of bachelor
and advanced degrees
among the workforce.
The School Board
of St. Lucie County
has initiated educational
programs focusing
on science, technology,
and applied research.
Institutions such
as Harbor Branch
Oceanographic Institution,
Indian River Community
College, Florida
Atlantic University
and University of
Florida are dedicated
toward teaching
and training students
in specialized areas
of exploration and
research. There
are a number of
certificate training
programs available
in biotechnology,
nuclear medicine,
and medical lab
technology. Degrees
in Agribusiness
Management, Environment
Management, Agricultural
Education, Entomology,
Environmental Horticulture,
Environmental Science,
Biology, Chemistry,
and many others
are offered by our
local educational
and research institutions.
St. Lucie County
is building the
research foundation,
beginning with education.
*
Research Coast is
defined as Indian
River, Martin, and
St. Lucie Counties.
** Sources: Florida
Research and Economic
Database, The Workforce
Development Board
of the Treasure
Coast, U.S. Department
of Labor, and Fishkind
& Associates, Inc.
