Southwest Florida Regional Economic Indicators April 213 Regional Economic Research Institute Lutgert College Of Business Phone 239-59-7319 Florida Gulf Coast University 151 FGCU Blvd. South Fort Myers, FL 33965 www.fgcu.edu/cob/reri
Table of Contents Introduction: Regional and National Background... 3 Airport Passenger Activity... 7 Chart 1: SW Florida International Traffic Trend... 7 Chart 2: Sarasota Airport Traffic Trend... 8 Chart 3: Punta Gorda Airport Traffic Trend... 8 Tourism Tax Revenues... 9 Chart 4: Lee County Tourism Tax Revenues... 9 Chart 5: Collier County Tourism Tax Revenues... 1 Chart 6: Charlotte County Tourism Tax Revenues... 1 Single-Family Building Permits... 11 Chart 7: Lee County... 11 Chart 8: Collier County... 12 Chart 9: Charlotte County... 12 Taxable Sales... 13 Chart 11: Taxable Sales for Inland Counties... 14 Chart 12: Lee County Taxable Sales Change from a Year Earlier... 14 Chart 13: Collier County Taxable Sales Change from a Year Earlier... 15 Chart 14: Charlotte County Taxable Sales Change from a Year Earlier... 15 Workforce Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment... 16 Chart 15: Lee County Labor Force and Unemployment... 17 Chart 16: Collier County Labor Force and Unemployment... 17 Chart 17: Charlotte County Labor Force and Unemployment... 18 Chart 18: Hendry County Labor Force and Unemployment... 18 Chart 19: Glades County Labor Force and Unemployment... 19 Sales of Single family Homes and Median Sales Prices... 19 Chart 2: Lee County... 2 Chart 21: Collier County... 2 Chart 22: Charlotte County... 21 Consumer Confidence Index... 21 Consumer Price Index... 22 Chart 24: CPI Annual Percentage Change... 23 Chart 25: Miami-Fort Lauderdale CPI Component Percentage Change... 23 Population... 24 Chart 26: Coastal Counties Growth 199 to 21... 24 Chart 27: Inland Counties Growth 199 to 21... 25 Chart 28: Projections by County... 25 2
Contact Information: Dr. Gary Jackson, Director, Regional Economic Research Institute Phone: 239-59-7319 Email: gjackson@fgcu.edu Mr. Steven Scheff, Business Analyst, Regional Economic Research Institute Phone: 239-59-7315 Email: sscheff@fgcu.edu Mr. Jim Breitbach, Technical Support Phone: 239-59-7489 Email: jbreitba@fgcu.edu Introduction: Regional and National Background The Southwest Florida economy continues its recovery from the housing bubble and financial market problems that pushed the region and nation into recession in 27. Taxable sales increased by ten percent from January 212 to January 213. Passenger traffic at Southwest Florida International airport in February 213 was up six percent from February 212. Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties issued a total of 388 single-family home permits in March, 38 percent more than March 212. March 213 sales of Lee, Collier, and Charlotte existing single-family homes declined by 12 percent compared to March 212, but the weighted median single-family home price for Lee, Collier, and Charlotte was up 2 percent from March 212. This certainly reflects a reduction in the number of distressed single-family home sales such as foreclosures and short sales. National housing prices have increased eight percent for the 2-city composite S & P Case-Shiller Home price index from January 212 to January 213 reflecting an improving housing market. Tourism Tax Revenues for Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties increased by five percent over February 212. The region s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate continued to show improvement, declining from 9.2 percent in March 212 to 7.1 percent in March 213. County details can be found beginning on page 16. Real GDP growth was 2.5 percent for the first quarter of 213 compared to only.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 212. Real personal consumption expenditures for the first quarter were more positive, growing at 3.2 percent compared to 1.8 percent in the fourth quarter. The national unemployment rate declined from 7.7 percent in February 213 to 7.6 percent in March 213. This constituted a drop of.6 percentage points from March 212. The number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or longer) is 4.6 million or 39.6 percent of all unemployed. The March Bureau of Labor Statistics Establishment Survey showed that national nonfarm payroll employment increased by 88,, a much smaller increase than February s 268,. The March employment increases included 51, in professional and business services, 44, in education and health services, 18, in construction, 24, in education and health services, 17, in leisure and hospitality, and 5, in information. In contrast, retail trade employment declined by 24,, government employment declined by 7,, and manufacturing employment declined by 3,. The national consumer price index increased by 1.5 percent from March 212 and March 213, the smallest increase since the 12 months ended July 212. The change was primarily driven by medical care which increased by 3.9 percent and transportation cost increases of 3.1 percent. Core inflation (all items less food and energy) increased by 1.9 percent. 3
As noted in last month s report, the latest statement of the Federal Reserve Open Market Committee (FOMC) was issued on March 2th, and is summarized below: There has been a return to moderate economic growth following a pause late last year; Labor market conditions have improved but the unemployment rate remains elevated; Household spending and business fixed investment advanced, and the housing sector has strengthened further; Fiscal policy has become somewhat more restrictive; Inflation has been running somewhat below the Committee s longer-run objective, apart from temporary variations that largely reflect fluctuations in energy prices. Longer-term inflation expectations have remained stable. The Committee continues to see downside risks to the economic outlook, and anticipates that inflation over the medium term likely will run at or below its 2 percent objective; To support a stronger economic recovery and to help ensure that inflation, over time, is at the rate most consistent with its dual mandate, the Committee will continue purchasing additional agency mortgage-backed securities at a pace of $4 billion per month and longer-term Treasury securities at a pace of $45 billion per month; The Committee is maintaining its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from agency debt and mortgage-backed securities in agency mortgage-backed securities; Along with rolling over maturing Treasury securities at auction, these actions should maintain downward pressure on longer-term interest rates, support mortgage markets, and help to make broader financial conditions more accommodative; The Committee will continue its purchases of Treasury and agency mortgage-backed securities, and employ its other policy tools as appropriate until the outlook for the labor market has improved substantially in a context of price stability; To support continued progress toward maximum employment and price stability, the Committee expects that a highly accommodative stance of monetary policy will remain appropriate for a considerable time after the asset purchase program ends, and the economic recovery strengthens. The Committee decided to keep the target range of the federal funds rate at to ¼ percent and currently anticipates that this exceptionally low range will be appropriate at least as long as the unemployment rate remains above 6-1/2 percent, inflation between one and two years ahead is projected to be no more than 2-1/2 percent, and longerterm inflation expectations continue to be well anchored. When the Committee decides to begin to remove policy accommodation, it will take a balanced approach consistent with its longer-run goals of maximum employment and inflation of 2 percent. The next meeting of the FOMC is scheduled for April 3th May 1st, 213. As reported last month, the FOMC released its latest forecast on March 2, 213, which is shown on the following "box and whiskers" charts. The red boxes are the central tendency forecast and the full range of uncertainty is reflected in the whiskers, or vertical lines. The March forecast was similar to the December forecast with a slightly lower range of forecast GDP growth for 213 and 214. The GDP chart shows that recovery started in 29, but it is expected to be several years before the economy returns to a more normal long-run trend ( LR ). For 213, the overall projected range of growth is 2. to 3. percent with a central tendency range of 2.3 to 2.8 percent. For 214, the overall projected range is 2.6 to 3.8 percent with a central tendency range of 2.9 to 3.4 percent growth. For 4
215, the overall projected range is 2.5 to 3.8 percent with a central tendency range of 2.9 to 3.7 percent growth. The long-run trend for Real GDP has a range of 2. to 3. percent growth with a central tendency of 2.3 to 2.5 percent. Real GDP growth rates are based on the change from the fourth quarter of one year to the fourth quarter of the next year. Source: Federal Reserve Open Market Committee Meeting Statement, March 2, 213. As shown in the chart on the next page, the 212 national unemployment rate was high at 7.8 percent but an improvement over the 211 rate of 8.7 percent. For 213, the projected range for the national unemployment rate is 6.9 to 7.6 percent with a central tendency range of 7.3 to 7.5 percent. For 214, the projected range for the national unemployment rate is 6.1 to 7.1 percent with a central tendency range of 6.7 to 7. percent. For 215, the projected range for the national unemployment rate is 5.7 to 6.5 percent with a central tendency range of 6. to 6.5 percent. Long-run unemployment is expected to be in a range of 5. to 6. percent with a central tendency of 5.2 to 6. percent. The projections for unemployment are for the fourth quarter of each year. 5
Source: Federal Reserve Open Market Committee Meeting Statement, March 2, 213. Issues related to the Federal budget, state budgets, European sovereign debt issues, health care costs, income and estate tax uncertainties, and oil prices continue to create some headwinds but the trend of slow but positive economic growth is expected to continue through 213. RERI thanks all of the individuals and organizations that have helped to bring together the regional information for this report. These include the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council, the Economic Development Organizations of Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties, the Convention and Visitors Bureaus of Collier and Lee Counties, the regional airport authorities, the REALTORS of Lee and Collier County, the University of Florida Survey Research Center, and the county and city permit offices. 6
Airport Passenger Activity Airport passenger activity is the sum of arrivals and departures for Southwest Florida International (RSW), Sarasota Bradenton International (SRQ), and Punta Gorda (PGD) airports. Peak seasonal activity occurs in February, March, and April, with significantly lower activity in the summer months. Charts 1, 2, and 3 illustrate the seasonality of airport passenger traffic and the changes from year to year. Total activity for the three Southwest Florida airports in February 213 rose to 956,464 passengers. This represented a one-percent increase over February 212 and a nine-percent increase over January 213. Chart 1 shows SW Florida International airport passenger activity of 827,147 in February 213, sixpercent higher than February 212. Sarasota Bradenton passenger activity amounted to 18,378 in February 213, which was 14 percent below February 212, as shown in Chart 2. Punta Gorda passenger activity amounted to 2,939 in February 213, a 46-percent decline from February 212. 11 Chart 1: SW Florida International Traffic Trend RSW (SW Florida International) Airport Passenger Traffic Trend 1 Arrivals plus Departures - Thousands 9 8 7 6 5 4 21 211 212 213 3 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Source: Local Airport Authorities 7
225 Chart 2: Sarasota Airport Traffic Trend SRQ (Sarasota Bradenton Int'l) Airport Passenger Traffic Trend Arrivals plus Departures - Thousands 2 175 15 125 1 75 5 21 211 212 213 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Source: Local Airport Authorities 5 Chart 3: Punta Gorda Airport Traffic Trend PGD (Punta Gorda Airport) Passenger Arrivals plus Departures Arrivals plus Departures - Thousands 45 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 212 211 213 21 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Source: Local Airport Authorities 8
Tourism Tax Revenues Tourism tax revenues for the three coastal counties are shown in Charts 4, 5, and 6, based on month of occupancy. February 213 tourism tax revenues for Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties were up five percent in total from February 212, and were 25 percent higher than January 213. Lee County tourism tax revenues for February 213 increased to $3,54,921, up seven percent from February 212. Collier County s February 213 tourism tax revenues rose to $2,396,642, a three-percent increase over February 212. Charlotte County tourism tax revenues for February 213 amounted to $361,532, a decrease of two percent from February 212. As noted last month, Charlotte County data now includes the County s full 5% tourism tax, in effect since 27. Previous reports showed only the 3 percent promotion and marketing support segment for consistent comparison to earlier years. Chart 4: Lee County Tourism Tax Revenues 7, Lee County Monthly Tourist Tax Revenue 21-213 6, Tax Revenue - $ Thousands 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 21 211 212 213 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month of Occupancy Source: Local County Tourism, Tax, and Economic Development Reports 9
Chart 5: Collier County Tourism Tax Revenues 3, Collier County Monthly Tourist Tax Revenue 21-213 2,5 Tax Revenue - $ Thousands 2, 1,5 1, 5 21 211 212 213 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month of Occupancy Source: Local County Tourism, Tax, and Economic Development Reports Chart 6: Charlotte County Tourism Tax Revenues 6 Charlotte County Monthly Tourist Tax Revenue 21-213 5 Tax Revenue - $ Thousands 4 3 2 1 21 211 212 213 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Month of Occupancy Source: Local County Tourism, Tax, and Economic Development Reports 1
Single-Family Building Permits Total single-family building permits for the three coastal counties showed an encouraging increase of 38 percent in March 213 over March 212, and were 11-percent higher than the prior month of February 213. Specifically, 388 single-family permits were issued in the region in March 213, compared to 281 in March 212 and 349 in February 213. Lee County reported issuing 22 single-family building permits in March 213, an increase of 23 percent from March 212, as shown in Chart 7 (which employs a logarithmic scale on its y-axis to more clearly portray long-term trends). Collier County issued 139 permits in March 213, up from 77 in March 212, as shown in Chart 8. Charlotte County recorded 29 permits in March 213, up from 25 in March 212, but less than the 37 issued in February 213. The 12-month moving averages of Lee and Collier Counties continue to show upward movement. Hendry County has issued 2 single-family building permits in the three months ended March 31, 213, compared to 3 permits issued in the first three months of 212. Chart 7: Lee County Single Family Permits Issued - Lee County 23-212 Monthly Averages; Most Recent 13 Months Data and Trend Permits Issued (Logarithmic Scale) 1 1 Permits Trend 1 23 Av 24 Av 25 Av 26 Av 27 Av 28 Av 29 Av 21 Av 211 Av 212 Av Mar 212 Apr 212 May 212 Jun 212 Jul 212 Aug 212 Sep 212 Oct 212 Nov 212 Dec 212 Jan 213 Feb 213 Mar 213 Source: Local Building and Zoning Departments, including Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Unincorporated Lee County, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers Beach permits. 11
Chart 8: Collier County 35 Single Family Permits Issued - Collier County 23-212 Monthly Averages; Most Recent 13 Months Data and Trend 3 25 Permits Issued 2 15 1 Permits Trend 5 23 Av 24 Av 25 Av 26 Av 27 Av 28 Av 29 Av 21 Av 211 Av 212 Av Mar 212 Apr 212 May 212 Jun 212 Jul 212 Aug 212 Sep 212 Oct 212 Nov 212 Dec 212 Jan 213 Feb 213 Mar 213 Source: Local Building and Zoning Departments, includes unincorporated Collier County permits only. Chart 9: Charlotte County 25 Single Family Permits Issued - Charlotte County 23-212 Monthly Averages; Most Recent 13 Months Data and Trend 2 Perm its Issued 15 1 Permits Trend 5 23 Av 24 Av 25 Av 26 Av 27 Av 28 Av 29 Av 21 Av 211 Av 212 Av Mar 212 Apr 212 May 212 Jun 212 Jul 212 Aug 212 Sep 212 Oct 212 Nov 212 Dec 212 Jan 213 Feb 213 Mar 213 Source: Local Building and Zoning Departments, includes unincorporated Charlotte County permits only. 12
Taxable Sales Taxable sales data track consumer spending, an important component of the regional economy. The following charts show the latest month of merchants collections (January 213), and not the reporting month issued by the Florida Department of Revenue. The five reporting counties saw an increase in total taxable sales in January 213 over January 212, amounting to $174.2 million, or 1 percent. However, taxable sales for the region declined by four percent from the prior month of December 212. Taxable sales data for the coastal counties are shown in Chart 1. Charlotte County s taxable sales of $188.1 million in January 213 were eight-percent higher than January 212. Lee County taxable sales rose to $984.9 million in January 213, nine percent more than January 212. Collier County reported taxable sales of $652.1 million in January 213, 14-percent higher than January 212. Taxable sales for Hendry and Glades Counties are shown in Chart 11. Hendry County s taxable sales of $24. million in January 213 were three-percent below the January 212 figure. Glades County reported January 213 taxable sales of $2.9 million, 2-percent higher than January 212. Charts 12, 13, and 14 depict percentage changes in taxable sales from the same month a year earlier. Lee and Collier Counties continue to show positive year-over-year comparisons for every month in the two-year measurement period. Charlotte County has recorded positive changes for each of the past 16 months, and 21 of the past 24. 1,2 Chart 1: Taxable Sales for Coastal Counties Coastal County Taxable Sales 23 to Present 23-212 Monthly Averages; Most Recent 13 Months' Data Taxable Sales - $ Millions 1, 8 6 4 2 23-212 Monthly Avg Collier Lee 853 518 93 573 Most recent 13 months 985 652 166 174 188 Charlotte 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 212 Jan-12 Feb-12 Mar-12 Apr-12 May-12 Jun-12 Jul-12 Aug-12 Sep-12 Oct-12 Nov-12 Dec-12 Jan-13 Source: Florida Department of Revenue, Office of Tax Research 13
4 Chart 11: Taxable Sales for Inland Counties Inland County Taxable Sales 23 to Present 23-212 Monthly Averages; Most Recent 13 Months' Data 35 Taxable Sales - $ Millions 3 25 2 15 1 Hendry 23-212 Monthly Avg 24.1 24.7 Most recent 13 months 24. 5 Glades 2.1 2.4 2.9 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 211 212 Jan-12 Feb-12 Mar-12 Apr-12 May-12 Jun-12 Jul-12 Aug-12 Sep-12 Oct-12 Nov-12 Dec-12 Jan-13 Source: Florida Department of Revenue, Office of Tax Research Chart 12: Lee County Taxable Sales Change from a Year Earlier 12% Lee County Taxable Sales: Change from Year Earlier 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11 Jan-12 Feb-12 Mar-12 Apr-12 May-12 Jun-12 Jul-12 Aug-12 Sep-12 Oct-12 Nov-12 Dec-12 Jan-13 Source: Florida Department of Revenue, Office of Tax Research 14
Chart 13: Collier County Taxable Sales Change from a Year Earlier 16% Collier County Taxable Sales: Change from Year Earlier 14% 12% 1% 8% 6% 4% 2% % Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11 Jan-12 Feb-12 Mar-12 Apr-12 May-12 Jun-12 Jul-12 Aug-12 Sep-12 Oct-12 Nov-12 Dec-12 Jan-13 Source: Florida Department of Revenue, Office of Tax Research Chart 14: Charlotte County Taxable Sales Change from a Year Earlier 1% Charlotte County Taxable Sales: Change from Year Earlier 8% 6% 4% 2% % -2% Feb-11 Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11 Jan-12 Feb-12 Mar-12 Apr-12 May-12 Jun-12 Jul-12 Aug-12 Sep-12 Oct-12 Nov-12 Dec-12 Jan-13 Source: Florida Department of Revenue, Office of Tax Research 15
Workforce Labor Force, Employment and Unemployment Charts 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19 show total persons employed unemployed, and the unemployment rate for each county in the region from January 25 to March 213, on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Unemployment rates above five or six percent generally reflect cyclical unemployment and a slowdown of the economy from long-run trends. Seasonally-adjusted unemployment rates in March 213 showed continued, significant improvement over the corresponding month of the prior year in all five reporting counties. Total employment in the five reporting counties increased by 6,34 persons over March 212, while the number of unemployed dropped by 11,485. As a result, the region s total unemployment rate fell from 9.2 percent to 7.1 percent. Lee County's seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate fell to 7. percent in March 213, down from 7.5 percent in February 213, and 2.3 percentage points below March 212. Employment in Lee grew by 5,527 persons from March 212 to March 213. Collier County s unemployment rate decreased to 6.8 percent in March 213 compared to 7.3 percent in February 213 and 8.6 percent in March 212, with an increase of 1,223 persons employed over the last year. Charlotte County had an unemployment rate of 6.9 percent in March 213, representing a decline from 7.4 percent in February 213 and from 9.1 percent in March 212. Hendry s unemployment rate dropped to 11.7 percent in March, a decrease of.8 percentage points from the February 213 figure and 2.2 percentage points below the March 212 figure. The March 213 unemployment rate in Glades County declined to 7.8 percent from 8.2 percent in February 213, and from 9.4 percent in March 212. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate for the State of Florida declined to 7.5 percent in March 213, the lowest rate since October 28. It was down from the revised February 213 figure of 7.8 percent; and was 1.4 percentage points lower than March 212. The seasonally-adjusted national unemployment rate was reported as 7.6 percent in March 213, down from 7.7 percent in February 213, and from 8.2 percent in March 212. 16
Chart 15: Lee County Labor Force and Unemployment Numbers of Employed / Unemployed - Thousands 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 Jan 5 Long Term Labor Force and Unemployment: Lee County Unemployed Employed Unemployment Rate Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 1 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 14. 12. 1. 8. 6. 4. 2.. Unemployment Rate - Percent Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and seasonal adjustment by RERI Chart 16: Collier County Labor Force and Unemployment Numbers of Employed / Unemployed - Thousands 18 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 Jan 5 Long Term Labor Force and Unemployment: Collier County Unemployed Employed Unemployment Rate Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 1 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 14. 12. 1. 8. 6. 4. 2.. Unemployment Rate - Percent Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and seasonal adjustment by RERI 17
Chart 17: Charlotte County Labor Force and Unemployment Numbers of Employed / Unemployed - Thousands 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Jan 5 Long Term Labor Force and Unemployment: Charlotte County Unemployed Employed Unemployment Rate Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 1 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 14. 12. 1. 8. 6. 4. 2.. Unemployment Rate - Percent Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and seasonal adjustment by RERI Chart 18: Hendry County Labor Force and Unemployment Numbers of Employed / Unemployed - Thousands 2 18 16 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 Jan 5 Long Term Labor Force and Unemployment: Hendry County Unemployed Employed Unemployment Rate Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 1 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 18. 16. 14. 12. 1. 8. 6. 4. 2.. Unemployment Rate - Percent Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and seasonal adjustment by RERI 18
Chart 19: Glades County Labor Force and Unemployment Numbers of Employed / Unemployed - Thousands 6 5 4 3 2 1 Jan 5 Long Term Labor Force and Unemployment: Glades County Unemployed Employed Unemployment Rate Jan 6 Jan 7 Jan 8 Jan 9 Jan 1 Jan 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 12. 1. 8. 6. 4. 2.. Unemployment Rate - Percent Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and seasonal adjustment by RERI Sales of Single family Homes and Median Sales Prices Charts 2 through 22 show the existing single-family home sales by a Realtor for Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties. The line represents median price with the scale on the right side and the bars represent the number of homes sold with the scale on the left side. Combined sales of single-family homes in the coastal counties amounted to 1,826 units in March 213, down 12 percent from March 212, but up 24 percent from February 213. The decline in sales from the previous March was accompanied by increases in median prices in all three counties ranging from 11 to 29 percent. Sales of 1,123 units were reported in Lee County for March 213 at a median price of $168,. While sales were 9-percent lower than March 212, the median price rose 29 percent from $13, over the same time period. Sales were 27 percent above the previous month s figure of 886. Collier County had 393 single-family home sales in March 213, a 16-percent decrease from March 212, but a 29-percent increase over the February 213 figure of 34. The median price increased to $287, in March 213, compared to $259, in March 212, an 11-percent increase. Charlotte County recorded 31 single-family home sales in March 213, down 19 percent from 382 in March 212. The median price of $133,5 in March 213 was 13-percent higher than that of March 212. 19
Chart 2: Lee County 16 Lee County Existing Single Family Home Sales by Realtors $18 Number of Homes Sold by Realtors 14 12 1 8 6 4 2 Lee Homes Sold by Realtors Lee Median Sale Price $16 $14 $12 $1 $8 $6 $4 $2 $ Median Sale Price - Thousands Apr 211 May 211 Jun 211 Jul 211 Aug 211 Sep 211 Oct 211 Nov 211 Dec 211 Jan 212 Feb 212 Mar 212 Apr 212 May 212 Jun 212 Jul 212 Aug 212 Sep 212 Oct 212 Nov 212 Dec 212 Jan 213 Feb 213 Mar 213 Source: Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach, Inc. Chart 21: Collier County Collier County Existing Single Family Home Sales by Realtors Number of Homes Sold by Realtors 5 45 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 Collier Homes Sold by Realtors Collier Median Sale Price Apr 211 May 211 Jun 211 Jul 211 Aug 211 Sep 211 Oct 211 Nov 211 Dec 211 Jan 212 Feb 212 Mar 212 Apr 212 May 212 Jun 212 Jul 212 Aug 212 Sep 212 Oct 212 Nov 212 Dec 212 Jan 213 Feb 213 Mar 213 $35 $3 $25 $2 $15 $1 $5 $ Median Sale Price - Thousands Source: Naples Area Board of Realtors (NABOR) www.naplesarea.com 2
Chart 22: Charlotte County 45 Charlotte County Existing Single Family Home Sales by Realtors $14 Number of Homes Sold by Realtors 4 35 3 25 2 15 1 5 Charlotte Homes Sold by Realtors Charlotte Median Sale Price $12 $1 $8 $6 $4 $2 $ Apr 211 May 211 Jun 211 Jul 211 Aug 211 Sep 211 Oct 211 Nov 211 Dec 211 Jan 212 Feb 212 Mar 212 Apr 212 May 212 Jun 212 Jul 212 Aug 212 Sep 212 Oct 212 Nov 212 Dec 212 Jan 213 Feb 213 Mar 213 Median Sale Price - Thousands Source: Florida Realtors Punta Gorda, Florida MSA ; http://media.living.net/statistics/statisticsfull.html Consumer Confidence Index Chart 23 shows monthly data for the last three years and 12-month moving average trend lines for both the Florida Consumer Confidence Index ( CCI ) reported by the University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR) and for the United States Index of Consumer Sentiment ( ICS ) reported by Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan. The national ICS rose to 78.6 in March 213, a one-point increase from February, and 2.4 points higher than March 212. Chief Economist Richard Curtin notes in the March 29 Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan Survey of Consumers, Although confidence dipped in early March, since the middle of the month consumers have expressed improved prospects for economic growth. Two factors were responsible for the gains: consumers discounted the administration s warning about economic catastrophe following the cuts in federal spending, and consumers have renewed their expectations that job gains will accelerate in the months ahead. The Florida Consumer Confidence Index for March 213 rose to 76, an increase of 3 points from the revised February figure, and 1 point higher than March 212. The rise in consumer confidence in March was unexpected, said Chris McCarty, the Survey Director. Floridians as a whole do not appear to be phased by sequestration, or the expiration of the payroll tax cut that took effect in January. As it looks like the sequester cuts will be locked in until the end of September with the continuing resolution deal, it is important to know how this affects consumers. The fear has been that the combination of the payroll tax expiration and sequestration would dampen the recent growth in consumer activity. That does not seem to be the case in Florida. 21
Chart 23: Consumer Confidence Index 1 Florida and US Consumer Confidence Data Most Recent 3 Years and Trend 95 9 85 8 75 7 65 6 55 FL CCI US ICS FL CCI Trend US ICS Trend 5 Mar-1 Jun-1 Sep-1 Dec-1 Mar-11 Jun-11 Sep-11 Dec-11 Mar-12 Jun-12 Sep-12 Dec-12 Mar-13 Source: Bureau of Economic and Business Research, University of Florida and Thompson Reuters/University of Michigan Consumer Price Index Year-to-year changes in the consumer price indices (CPI) for the nation, the U.S. Southern Region, and the Miami-Ft. Lauderdale area are shown in Chart 24 through February 213. As previously reported, the February 212 to February 213 inflation rates for all three indices were lower than the corresponding figures for February 211 to February 212. Specifically, the National CPI grew by 2. percent from February 212 to February 213, versus 2.9 percent from February 211 to February 212. The Southern Region growth rate dropped to 1.8 percent in February 213, compared to 3.3 percent in the year ended February 212. The Miami-Ft. Lauderdale increase was 1.9 percent in February 213, a decrease from 2.9 percent in February 212. 22
Chart 24: CPI Annual Percentage Change Change From Year Earlier 8% 6% 4% 2% % -2% Consumer Price Index Monthly Data - Change From Year Earlier Miami / Ft. Lauderdale US South Region US National -4% -6% Feb-4 Feb-5 Feb-6 Feb-7 Feb-8 Feb-9 Feb-1 Feb-11 Feb-12 Feb-13 Source: BLS The components of the Miami-Fort Lauderdale Consumer Price Index for the 12 months ending February 213 are shown in Chart 25. The largest increases were seen in medical care (4.5 percent) and transportation costs (3.4 percent). Notably, all of the component elements showed some increase in this reporting period. Chart 25: Miami-Fort Lauderdale CPI Component Percentage Change Miami - Fort Lauderdale CPI Components 12 month change ending February 213 Medical care Transportation Food and beverages Housing Other goods and services * Education and communication Apparel * Other goods and services: Tobacco and smoking products, personal care products and services, and miscellaneous personal goods. Recreation -8% -6% -4% -2% % 2% 4% 6% 8% 1% 12 Month Percentage Change Source: BLS 23
Population As previously reported, the following charts reflect the most recent county population forecasts released by the University of Florida's Bureau of Economic and Business Research (BEBR). Population growth from 199 to 21 is shown in Charts 26 and 27. Collier County grew at an average annual compound growth rate of 3.8 percent from 199 to 21. Lee County s population grew at an annual rate of 3.1 percent. Charlotte, Glades, and Hendry Counties had average annual rates of population growth between 1.8 and 2.7 percent per year. Chart 28 and its accompanying table show projected population increases from 215 to 24. These projections have been lowered slightly from those previously reported. However, the overall rate of regional growth still averages 1.6 percent per year for this period, resulting in a 3-year increase of 59 percent for the five-county region from 21 to 24. 7 Chart 26: Coastal Counties Growth 199 to 21 Historic Population Growth Charlotte, Collier, and Lee Counties 6 619 Population - Thousands 5 4 3 2 335 152 Lee Collier 322 16 1 111 Charlotte 199 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 Source: Florida EDR: Florida Demographic Estimating Conference, January 21 and the Florida Demographic Database, August 21 24
45 Chart 27: Inland Counties Growth 199 to 21 Historic Population Growth Glades and Hendry Counties 4 35 Hendry 39 Population - Thousands 3 25 2 15 26 Glades 13 1 8 5 199 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 21 Source: Florida EDR: Florida Demographic Estimating Conference, January 21 and the Florida Demographic Database, August 21 Populaton (Thousands) 2, 1,8 1,6 1,4 1,2 1, 8 6 4 2 Chart 28: Projections by County Population Projections 215-24 215 22 225 23 235 24 Glades 13,286 14,135 14,953 15,723 16,442 17,127 Hendry 38,488 39,615 4,665 41,62 42,484 43,279 Charlotte 164,784 173,129 181,28 188,32 194,94 21,123 Collier 341,959 375,585 48,254 439,367 468,77 497,11 Lee 674,992 763,232 847,963 928,484 1,4,53 1,77,279 Source: Florida EDR: Florida Demographic Estimating Conference, January 21 and the Florida Demographic Database, updated March 212. 25