Economic Abstract of Alabama Provides Wealth of Info

TUSCALOOSA, AL. – Did you know that . . .

In 1998, Alabamians:

Grossed $1.8 billion in broiler sales, ranking third in the United States in this poultry production category.
Rang up $37.9 billion in retail sales, with automotive sales accounting for the largest share (18.9 percent), followed by general merchandise at 15.6 percent.
Purchased 19,800 new manufactured homes.
Produced 7,470,834 barrels of oil, more than 435 billion cubic feet of natural gas, and 23,429,973 tons of coal.
Saw median family income rise to $38,700, up 4.3 percent from 1997.
Earned average wages in manufacturing of $34,400; wages in paper, chemicals, and lumber averaged more than $50,000. Numbered an estimated 4,351,999 people, with 568,351 (13.1 percent) 65 and older. Were protected by 9,767 sworn law enforcement officers. Counted 123,542 students enrolled in the state’s four-year public colleges and universities; 68,026 in public two-year institutions; and 21,628 in private colleges. Were most at risk of a fatal traffic accident when driving on county roads, although city streets were the most frequent accident sites. Had an average of 20.3 physicians and 4.2 dentists available to treat every 10,000 residents. Were served with a total of 5,892,091 home health visits.
This information can be gleaned from the Economic Abstract of Alabama 2000, a comprehensive reference book. A companion CD-ROM is also available, making the entire book accessible at your personal computer. The Abstract’s 17 chapters cover a variety of social, demographic, and economic topics, ranging from agriculture to vital statistics. Data included are the most recent available at the time of publication and often cover several years to permit trend analysis. Many of the data items are presented at the national, state, MSA, and county or city levels.

The Abstract book and CD-ROM are published by the Center for Business and Economic Research at The University of Alabama. A new edition is issued every two to three years. For ordering information, contact the Center at (205) 348-6191.