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Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 483,924 people, 187,233 households, and 132,373 families residing in the county. The population density was 258 people per square mile (100/km²). There were 226,376 housing units at an average density of 121 per square mile (47/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.58% White, 13.54% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.93% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 3.82% from other races, and 1.71% from two or more races. 9.49% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 187,233 households, of which 29.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.40% were married couples living together, 12.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 24.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.10% have someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county the population was spread out, with 24.40% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,036, and the median income for a family was $41,442. Males had a median income of $31,396, versus $22,406 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,302. 12.90% of the population and 9.40% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.10% were under the age of 18 and 8.10% were 65 or older.

As of July 1, 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the county had 542,912 residents, making it the ninth most populous county in Florida.

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Polk's Jobless Rate Hits 11-Year-High
LAKELAND | Polk County's jobless rate swelled to 8.1 percent in October, the highest level in 11 years, according to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation. The county had 5,700 fewer jobs than it did in October 2007 as steep job losses continued to plague nearly every segment of the local economy.
Hillary Clinton to Accept Secretary of State Post
WASHINGTON | Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to give up her Senate seat and accept the position of secretary of state, making her the public face around the world for the administration of the man who beat her for the Democratic presidential nomination, two confidants said Friday.

Local

Polk's Jobless Rate Hits 11-Year-High
LAKELAND | Polk County's jobless rate swelled to 8.1 percent in October, the highest level in 11 years, according to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation. The county had 5,700 fewer jobs than it did in October 2007 as steep job losses continued to plague nearly every segment of the local economy.
Polk Felony Cases
The following is a portion of the felony criminal case dispositions filed in Bartow for the month of June, 2008. For a complete explanation refer to the court files because the circumstances of each case vary. If the Judge withheld adjudication the person has not been judged guilty by the Court.

Florida

Weekly Offerings
meetings Plant City Christian Women's Connection Features speaker Joyce Schneider; music by Marge Masek, Susan Gitlin and Lorene Hallberg. 1130 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 2. Walden Lake Golf and Country Club. $13. 746-2541, 813-651-0383, e-mail celicakix92@aol.com for reservations. PERFORMANCES Brian Bracey & "One Reason"
Polk Felony Cases
The following is a portion of the felony criminal case dispositions filed in Bartow for the month of June, 2008. For a complete explanation refer to the court files because the circumstances of each case vary. If the Judge withheld adjudication the person has not been judged guilty by the Court.

East Polk

Protection Sought For Fish Habitat
The federal government is trying to protect critical habitat for the endangered smalltooth sawfish along Florida's southwest coast. The rule, proposed Thursday, seeks to protect areas essential for the conservation and recovery of the sawfish ó their population has declined by 95 percent.
Feds Still Seeking Missing Ex-Agent
The State Department has renewed an appeal to Iran for information about a former FBI agent, Floridian Robert Levinson, who went missing in Iranian territory 20 months ago.

Business

Polk's Jobless Rate Hits 11-Year-High
LAKELAND | Polk County's jobless rate swelled to 8.1 percent in October, the highest level in 11 years, according to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation. The county had 5,700 fewer jobs than it did in October 2007 as steep job losses continued to plague nearly every segment of the local economy.
Florida's Budget Deficit Now At $2.1 Bil.
TALLAHASSEE | Florida's budget gap grew to $2.1 billion on Friday as economists said the state's economy has some rough times ahead as it is buffeted by a global recession, but that it should begin a recovery in early 2010.