Highlands County FutureCast

Not seasonally adjusted.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

This is the rolling 12 month job creation number, in thousands

FloridaCommerce, Current Employment Statistics

Current Employment Statistics, Seasonally Adjusted, Non-Agricultural Employment. The state level year-over-year change in jobs (measured by CES) reflects the number of nonfarm payroll positions reported by employers, based on where the jobs are located. In contrast, the county level year-over-year change in employment (measured by LAUS) reflects the number of employed residents, regardless of where they work. Because these measure different populations—jobs vs. employed people—they are not directly comparable.

FloridaCommerce, Local Area Unemployment Statistics

Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) by county. Not Seasonally Adjusted, Total Employment The county level year-over-year change in employment (measured by LAUS) reflects the number of employed residents, based on where they live. This is different from the state level tile for year-over-year change in jobs (measured by CES) which reflects the number of non-farm payroll positions reported by employers, based on where the jobs are located. Because these measure different populations—jobs vs. employed people—they are not directly comparable.

This is the Consumer Sentiment Index for Florida, published by the University of Florida’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

Bureau of Economic and Business Research

Housing Starts: This is New Private Housing Units Authorized by Building Permits: 1 Unit Structures for Florida.

Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED).

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Not seasonally adjusted.

Housing Sales. Closed sales by month.

Florida Realtors.

Housing permits issued for single-family homes.

U.S. Census Bureau.

This is the amount of Local Option Sales Taxes collected by fiscal year.

Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research.

The amount of Adjusted Gross Income this county gains or loses each year from people migrating into and out of the county.

The net value of Adjusted Gross Income Florida gains or loses each hour from people migrating into and out of the state.

United States Internal Revenue Service

United States Internal Revenue Service https://www.irs.gov/

American Community Survey (ACS), U.S. Census Bureau

American Community Survey (ACS), U.S. Census Bureau

American Community Survey (ACS), U.S. Census Bureau

American Community Survey (ACS), U.S. Census Bureau

Florida Department of Education PK-12 Education Information Portal

Percentage of registered voters that vote, by year.

Florida Division of Elections

Poll answers to the question “Is Florida Headed in the Right or Wrong Direction?”

The Florida Chamber of Commerce.

This is the total of local, state, federal and private acres of conservation land, divided by the county area in acres -- January 2025.

https://www.fnai.org/conslands/conservation-lands

U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates, State Totals. Population totals are from July of that year.

https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest.html

The percentages of the population age 25 and over with: bachelors degree or higher.

U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey.

Florida Department of Education

The Florida Department of Education adopted a statewide kindergarten screening instrument that assesses the readiness of each student for kindergarten based on the performance standards. A score of 707 or higher on the Star Early Literacy assessment administered to kindergarten students during the first 30 days of the school year indicates a student is "ready for kindergarten." PLEASE NOTE: The cut score for Kindergarten Readiness increased from 690 to 707 in 2024, so 2024 data should not be compared to 2023 data.

FLDOE

Percentage of all 4-year olds who completed Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten

Reading: The percentage of students who achieved Level 3 or Above in the 3rd Grade English Language Arts Florida Assessment of Student Thinking. The results from 2022-2023 and beyond are based on new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) content standards. Therefore, as noted by FDOE, the results from 2022-2023 and later assessments cannot be compared to assessment scores from 2015-2016 through 2021-2022. These data points are provided for awareness, not for comparison with scores during or after the 2022-2023 school year.

Florida Department of Education Florida Assessment of Student Thinking Results

Reading: The percentage of students who achieved Level 3 or Above in the 3rd Grade English Language Arts Florida Assessment of Student Thinking. The results from 2022-2023 and beyond are based on new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) content standards. Therefore, as noted by FDOE, the results from 2022-2023 and later assessments cannot be compared to assessment scores from 2015-2016 through 2021-2022. These data points are provided for awareness, not for comparison with scores during or after the 2022-2023 school year.

Florida Department of Education Florida Assessment of Student Thinking Results

Math: The percentage of students who achieved Level 3 or Above in the 3rd Grade Math Florida Assessment of Student Thinking Standards Assessment. The results from 2022-2023 and beyond are based on new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) content standards. Therefore, as noted by FDOE, the results from 2022-2023 and later assessments cannot be compared to assessment scores from 2015-2016 through 2021-2022. These data points are provided for awareness, not for comparison with scores during or after the 2022-2023 school year.

Florida Department of Education Florida Assessment of Student Thinking Results

Reading: The percentage of students who achieved Level 3 or Above in the 8th Grade English Language Arts Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (Academic Year 22-23 and beyond). The results from 2022-2023 and beyond are based on new Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) content standards. Therefore, as noted by FDOE, the results from 2022-2023 and later assessments cannot be compared to assessment scores from 2015-2016 through 2021-2022. These data points are provided for awareness, not for comparison with scores during or after the 2022-2023 school year.

Florida Department of Education Florida Assessment of Student Thinking Results

Math: The percentage of students who achieved Level 3 or Above in the 8th Grade Math Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST), Algebra 1 or Geometry course. This score represents the aggregate scores of students in all three courses, therefore including those students who are taking classes "above grade level" (Algebra 1 and Geometry). The results from 2022-2023 and beyond are based on new Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) content standards. Therefore, as noted by FDOE, the results from 2022-2023 and later B.E.S.T. assessments cannot be compared to assessment scores from 2015-2016 through 2021-2022. These data points are provided for awareness, not for comparison with scores during or after the 2022-2023 school year.

Florida Department of Education Florida Assessment of Student Thinking Results

Science: The percentage of students who achieved Level 3 or Above in the 8th Grade Statewide Science Assessment. Description available at:

Florida Department of Education Florida Statewide Science Assessment Results

Percentage of Floridians age 25 and older who have at least an Associates Degree

American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau

Note: this data is not directly comparable to monthly unemployment data or the statewide figure for unemployment and employment for persons with disabilities.

Table C18120, American Community Survey, 5 year estimates

The Florida Scorecard™ is a dynamic online tool that identifies and tracks key metrics that are important to Florida’s economy today and into the future. The Florida Scorecard gives stakeholders the power to measure progress on a statewide level and within their own communities. Check back often as this information is updated regularly.

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