The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company concluded its four-part 2023 Speaker Series with a comprehensive analysis of data predicting the future population and job growth in Southwest Florida.
Titled “The Past, Present and Future of Southwest Florida,” the session held on April 4 delved into two decades of population data. Between 2000 and 2010, the region comprising Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties experienced a 30% growth. This growth rate decreased to 20% from 2010 to 2020.
Across these five counties, the three largest age groups are 65 to 74 years old, 55 to 64 years old, and 75 to 84 years old, respectively.
Recognizing the region’s aging population, educational institutions like FGCU, along with universities, colleges, technical centers, and high schools, are implementing academic and training programs to equip graduates with the skills needed for future job opportunities. This includes an emphasis on healthcare to meet the increasing demand resulting from the aging population, as well as construction projects for senior communities and medical facilities. Moreover, the influx of retirees and seniors moving to the region, coupled with the aging of the current population, creates additional job opportunities in the hospitality industry, including restaurants, retail, and entertainment.
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