Florida's Population Influx - A Methodology to Capture Tourism Monthly for Each of Florida's 67 Counties With Applications for the Law Enforcement Community

• NCJ Number: 104832
• Author(s): K Trager; W Bales; M Clark
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 78 pages
• Corporate Author: Florida Statistical Analysis Ctr
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Measurement/Evaluation Device
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This report presents a method for estimating the tourist population annually at the county level in Florida to aid the police in budget and personnel planning and in comparing crime rates across geographical boundaries.

Abstract

Current methods for estimating tourism -- econometric models, surveys, and tax base data -- are inadequate because they do not break down the data by county. The proposed methodology uses sales tax data, because they are presented by county, reported on a timely basis, and are available monthly. The translation of taxable sales into tourist population data is done through the normalization of sales tax data for all elements other than tourism. Data adjustments include changes in State statutes which affect taxable sales, changes in the resident population over the period in question, changes in the macro economy, and changes in the daily spending patterns of tourists. Tables and maps show the Florida population influx by county for 1980-85 based on the proposed estimation method. The report concludes with a discussion of how the method can be used to construct a crime rate based on the tourist and resident population, so as to provide a more accurate comparison of crime rates across jurisdictions. Appended supplementary data and 19-item bibliography.