Florida's 18 congressional district Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Florida's 18 congressional district - Essay Example In order to understand the political preferences of this region’s citizens it is necessary to refer to the general and the political demographics of this district. Florida is a region with an estimated population of 17,019,068 people. A percentage of 22.8% of its population is under 18 years old while female persons have been estimated to a percentage of 51.2% (Fortreport, 2010). Another important demographic characteristic of this region is that most of citizens are white (78%); it would be also necessary to refer to the high level of ownership (about 70%) and the rather low percentage of persons (12.5%) that live at a below poverty level (Fortreport, 2010). The most recent demographics on Florida congressional district 18 refer to the year 2000 – published by the US Census Bureau. Florida congressional district 18 has a population of about 640 thousands people. About half of its citizens are female persons; white people have been estimated to a percentage of 83.9% - higher than the average level of the Florida region as presented above; the ownership level in this district has been estimated to 47.9% - which can be characterized as rather low if taking into consideration the relevant demographics of Florida region. It should be noted that the percentage of the district’s foreign born population is rather high – estimated to 54%; on the other hand, individuals that live at a below poverty level are about 19% - a high percentage compared to the 12.5% percentage of people of similar status across Florida (US Census Bureau, Fast Facts for Congress, 2010). Traditionally, the region supports the Republicans; the district’s current incumbent, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, belongs to Republicans; however, there are also different political trends mostly representing the views of specific communities, especially the Hispanics. In 2008 the candidates of Republicans –