You might be wondering “Why should I do research in Jacksonville, Florida?”

Your question should be, “Why am I NOT doing research in Jacksonville?”

First let us explain a little about the Jacksonville area. Jacksonville is the largest city in term of square miles in the continental United States. It is twice as large as New York City, at 757 square miles. There are 6 counties that make up the Jacksonville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). These 6 counties are Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, Baker and Putnam. Add all 6 together and you have the "First Coast" - so named because it was the first coast to be settled by Europeans.

Jacksonville is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. Expansion is happening at a rapid pace, and Money Magazine has listed Jacksonville as one of the "Top 10 Places to Live" for numerous years.

Jacksonville is the 47th largest city in the United States, with the total population at more than a million. The statistical makeup closely resembles the United States as a whole, which is a perfect climate for marketing research. The following is the 2000 Census information for Jacksonville.

 

Population

Total Population

   1,157,812

Population Forecast

   1,249,857

Population Growth from 1990 to 2000

   21.4%

Median Age

   36

Population by Age

0-4

   6.8%
5-13
   13.6%
14-17
   5.9%
18-24
   8.8%
25-34
   13.9%
35-44
   17.2%
45-54
   14.3%
55-64
   8.6%
65-74
   5.9%
75-84
   3.8%
85+
   1.2%
Racial Mix

White

   73.9%
Black
   22.1%
Asian / Pacific Islander
   2.4%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race)
   1.6%
Other Race
   4.1%

 

Income

Median HH Income

   $41,613
Average HH Income
   $58,519

Source: Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and Demographics Now 2002.