Sarasota - Florida's fastest growing metropolitan area

Robust growth in Florida continues. Despite moderating in early 2005, Florida remains among the nation’s fastest growing states as population growth, tourism, and real estate-related industries propel the economy forward. In first quarter 2005, year-ago job growth in the state stood at 3.4 percent, twice the corresponding gain nationally (See Chart 1). The state’s labor markets have continued to tighten, and jobless rates are well below the national average.

Sarasota was the state’s fastest growing metropolitan area in first quarter 2005, with employment up 5.3 percent from a year earlier.