Florida’s Black Population Grows

An influx of about 292,000 black residents between 2000 and 2003 has
pushed Florida to second in the nation for black population, up from its
No. 4 position in 2000. According to U.S. Census figures, Florida had 2.8
million black residents as of July last year, compared to 3.6 million in
New York — the state with the largest number of blacks. Experts say
many new black Floridians came from the Caribbean or are of Caribbean
descent, although some also are African Americans returning to the
South in the continuation of a trend that started decades ago. Census
figures show that Broward County welcomed more new black residents
than any other county in Florida or the nation, with nearly 70,000
newcomers moving in during the three-year period.

Source: Associated Press

Florida Hurricane Damage Claims

Hurricane damage claims from the four hurricanes are expected to wipe
out the capital reserves of Florida’s largest property insurer, State Farm,
and so far, one insurer announced that it cannot make all its payments to
homeowners. Meanwhile, homebuyers find it increasingly difficult to
line up insurance, delaying property closings. Even the state’s insurer of
last resort, which had about $1.8 billion in reserves before the storms,
may ask the state to add a surcharge to all Florida insurance policies,
both residential and commercial.