AAFF

The Asian American Federation of Florida (AAFF) is a 501(c)(3) coalition that aims to unity and collaboration among the various Asian Pacific American organizations and to improve the relationship of a culturally diverse Asian Pacific American community in Florida. The AAFF is a statewide organization made up of more than 70 Bangladesh, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Iranian, Korean, Laotian, Taiwanese, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese faith-based and community-based organizations, businesses and media.

 

2010 CENSUS DATA FOR FLORIDA

Miami, Florida - March 18, 2010

 

The result of recently published 2010 Florida Census Data show that statewide, population growth between 2000 and 2010 reached 17.6 percent, putting Florida at 18.8 million residents.

Miami-Dade County grew 10.8 percent to nearly 2.5 million people, up from 2.3 million in 2000. Broward County grew as well, up 7.7 percent to 1.7 million.  Miami grew a modest 10.2 percent to 399,457 people between 2000 and 2010, and remains Florida’s second most populous city behind Jacksonville (821,784).  Hillsborough County grew by 23 percent and held its own as the state's fourth most populous county, behind Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach.  Orange County now holds the No. 5 spot, and grew by 27.8 percent. Adding 250,000 people — the state's largest increase – and surging to just more than 1 million residents,  St. Petersburg's population decreased by 1.4 percent (3,463 people), but it remains the fourth largest city in the state. Tampa, which grew nearly 11 percent in the past 10 years, remains the third largest city.

 Densely populated Pinellas County went from being Florida's fifth most-populous county in 2000 to sixth in 2010. The county was one of only two that lost population. Pinellas, with 916,542 residents, has about 5,000 fewer people than in 2000.

Florida saw its minority populations continue to increase. The state's Hispanic/Latino population continued to surge, increasing about 57.4  percent from 2000 to 2010  to 1.5 million. There were 664,357 more black residents in 2010 compared to 2000, an increase of 28.4 percent. Asians, although still a relatively small portion of the population, were the fastest-growing minority in the last 10 years. They grew by 71 percent, jumping from 266,256 in 2000, to 454,821 in 2010. Orange County had the largest increase.

Following is a rough outline of racial and ethnic breakdown for the state of Florida, Based on Census figures:

•  White, non-Hispanic: 57.9 percent

•  Hispanic: 22.5 percent

•  Black: 16 percent

•  Asian: 454,821 or 2.4 %  (up from 266,256 or  1.7% )   

There are now almost a half-million Asians in the state, which may be higher if one considers the residents who were allowed to select more than one race or ethnicity. A more detailed breakdown of Asians by ethnicity, race and other demographics will be forthcoming.

 

“I am glad that the united and coordinated efforts of the various Asian American organizations and community leaders in ensuring a more accurate count of  our ethnic minority population paid off,” says Dr. Joy Bruce, President of the Asian American Federation of Florida that partnered with the 2010 Census to raise community awareness, encourage participation, and help ensure the Asian population is counted in Florida.

“Our next move is to work on voters registration so that Asians can finally have a voice in the political process.”

 More than 70 local Asian American organizations participated in the campaign, in cooperation with Winnie Tang, President of the Organization of Chinese Americans-South Florida who served as the official US Census Asian Partnership Specialist in Florida. The Asian American Federation’s 2010 Census integrated public awareness campaign was made possible through partnership with and funding from the Asian American Justice Center.  

 

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