WE ALL PAY TAXES.
DO YOU KNOW WHERE THE MONEY GOES?
D& LLARS
Your Practical Guide
to County Finances
Find out in the latest
issue of Dollars & Sense
stlucieclerk.com/dollars.
WHERE THE MONEY
COMES FROM
REVENUES
The county’s total primary government
revenues have increased by $39.8 million.
The total revenues increase is a result of
an increase in property taxes, grants,
investment earnings, and the newly
established Half-cent Infrastructure Surtax.
Program revenues are specific to the
functions of the primary government such
as fees and charges for services, grants
and contributions.
HOUSING
INCOME
$39,374 personal income per
capita and $41,154 average annual
wage in 2018*
PROPERTY TAXES
$175.3 million, 50.4%
CAPITAL GRANTS & CONTRIBUTIONS
$33.2 million, 9.5%
OPERATING GRANTS & CONTRIBUTIONS
$21.5 million, 6.2%
INTEREST EARNINGS
$10.7 million, 3.1%
FRANCHISE TAXES
$4.7 million, 1.4%
SALES TAXES
$10.1 million, 2.9%
MISCELLANEOUS
$16.2 million, 4.7%
STATE…SHARED REVENUES
$21.6 million, 6.2%
CHARGES FOR SERVICES
$54.4 million, 15.6%
MEDIAN AGE
43.4 in 2018*
PUBLIC SCHOOL
ENROLLMENT
40,418 in 2019
POPULATION
309,359 residents in 2019
$233,000 median sale price in 2019
$246,017 average sale price in 2019
DEBT
$641 outstanding debt
per capita in 2019
DEMOGRAPHICS
AT-A-GLANCE
St. Lucie County has experienced strong economic
growth in recent years. The county’s population, home
sales, and new construction have steadily increased.
With new businesses opening their doors,
unemployment has continued to decline and average
annual wages have increased.
UNEMPLOYMENT $588 million in FY 2020
3.9% in 2019
ANNUAL BUDGET
WHERE THE MONEY
GOES
EXPENSES
The expenses of the primary
government were $342.9 million with
public safety operations’ comprising the
largest expense category at 37.15
percent, or $127.4 million.
Public safety activities include law
enforcement, correction/detention
facility, and emergency management.
The total expenses for this function have
increased $13.7 million. The increase
was mainly due to increases in pension
cost and other post-employment
benefits in fiscal year 2019.
POPULATION
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
$8.3 million, 2.4%
TRANSPORTATION
$37.1 million, 10.8%
ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT
$8.8 million, 2.6%
HUMAN SERVICES
$14.5 million, 4.2%
COURT RELATED
$21.2 million, 6.2%
CULTURE & RECREATION
$25 million, 7.3%
BAILING & RECYCLING
$22.4 million, 6.5%
WATER & SEWER
$9.5 million, 2.8%
GOLF COURSE
$1.6 million, 0.5%
BUILDING CODE
$2.6 million, 0.8%
INTEREST & FISCAL CHARGES
$6.8 million, 2.0%
2019 309,359 +2.29%
2018 302,432 +1.61%
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
$57.7 million, 16.8%
2017 297,634 +1.64%
2016 292,826 +1.76%
2015 287,749 +1.74%
PUBLIC SAFETY
$127.4 million, 37.1%
2014 282,821 +0.59%
2013 281,151 +0.28%
2012 280,355 +0.24%
2011 279,696 +0.69%
2010 277,789 +1.80%
In 2019, St. Lucie County’s
population increased at its highest
rate since 2007. Drawn by more
affordable housing, new residents
have led to strong economic
growth in key industries,
particularly in the northeast and
southwest areas of St. Lucie.
While most residents live within 10
miles of the Atlantic Coast, the
mid and western portions near
Interstate 95 are the fastest
growing areas.
The top 10 employers
in St. Lucie County
keep our economy
strong, accounting for
more than 18,000 jobs.
The School Board
remains the largest
employer.
*St. Lucie County
Government includes the
Board of County
Commissioners, Sheriff,
Clerk, Tax Collector,
Property Appraiser, and
Supervisor of Elections.
LARGEST EMPLOYERS
5,205
ST. LUCIE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
2,265
INDIAN RIVER STATE COLLEGE
1,850
TELEPERFORMANCE
1,704
ST. LUCIE COUNTY GOVERNMENT*
1,529
PUBLIX
1,479
HCA/LAWNWOOD & ST LUCIE MEDICAL CENTER
1,243
AMAZON
1,120
CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE
892
ST. LUCIE MEDICAL CENTER
890
WAL…MART DISTRIBUTION CENTER
*latest figures available
DOLLARS & SENSE · YOUR PRACTICAL GUIDE TO COUNTY FINANCES 7 JOSEPH E. SMITH · CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT · ST. LUCIE COUNTY 8
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