County: Not poor, just less rich

When comparing Citrus County’s health measures within the Tampa Bay region, the county’s economy and demographics also are important considerations.

Figures from the ONE BAY: Healthy Communities initiative show our longevity and lack of wealth.

Citrus County residents aged 65 and older made up 30.9 percent of the county’s population in 2009. The rate was 17.2 percent for Florida, 26.3 percent for Hernando, 11.8 percent in Hillsborough, 22.8 percent in Marion County, 20.7 percent in Pasco, 21 percent in Pinellas, 17.6 percent for Polk and 30.5 percent in Sarasota.

Although Sarasota County has about the same share of older residents, the incomes are higher. In 2008, the median household annual income for Citrus County was $38,476. Sarasota’s was $49,001. The Tampa Bay region was $46,199. Florida’s was $47,802. The national median household annual income was $52,029.

The 2008 annual per capita personal income for Citrus County was $30,170, a figure only slightly higher than those for Hernando ($29,148) and Pasco ($29,113) counties. The Tampa Bay regional average was $38,427; Florida’s was $39,064; and the nation’s was $40,166.

In 2009, Citrus County’s unemployment rate was the second-highest in the region, behind Hernando County.

In 2008, Citrus County had highest rate of families living below the poverty level: 15.8 percent. Polk County came in second at 15.3 percent. Sarasota County had the lowest rate at 9.9 percent. The regional average was 12.9 percent. Florida’s rate at 13.3 percent was only slightly higher than the national average at 13.2 percent.

Florida, Tampa Bay and Citrus County beat the national average 73.9 percent high school graduation rate in 2007. Florida had 75.4 percent. Tampa Bay had 78.5 percent and Citrus County had 76.1 percent.

However, Citrus County scored low for college graduates in 2008 data, with 13.4 percent compared to 21.4 percent for Tampa Bay, 22.6 percent for Florida and 24.6 percent nationally.

The second part of the study was an assessment of community assets, including health infrastructure and organizations.

+ The region supports 50 acute care hospitals and physicians in all specialties, and more than 100 organizations focused on improving community health.

+ 75 percent of employers surveyed said they believe they have a responsibility to foster their employees’ improved health.

For each of the eight counties — Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota — in the Tampa Bay region, data was collected for 60 indictors in five areas: economy/demographics, health outcomes, health behaviors, health-related behavior, health systems and access, and environmental health.

Public data sources include the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Florida Department of Health, U.S. Census Bureau, Florida Bureau of Immunization, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Environmental Protection Agency, Kaiser Family Foundation, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, and the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.

Chronicle reporter Chris Van Ormer can be contacted at (352) 564-2917 or cvanormer@chronicleonline.com.