The state of Florida comprises a diverse population, large geography, and numerous counties. Hillsborough County is one of the larger counties in the state, ranking number 4 of 67 in terms of population. An expansive area with large cities and a growing population, Hillsborough provides numerous opportunities for education, healthcare, and employment. Having a large population makes the county a great area to conduct research on significant health problems. For instance, there has been a dramatic rise in cardiac related deaths within the county over the years, placing heart disease as a priority health concern. To emphasize, in the entire state of Florida, cancer related deaths rank highest and coronary related deaths rank second. …show more content…
With an approximate size of 1266 square miles, Hillsborough County makes the fourth largest county in Florida. Hillsborough is 96 percent urban and 4 percent rural, with 1020 square miles of land and 246 square miles of water. With such a large population to sustain, it comes as no surprise that the county is home to major employers and health care systems. The top three employers in the county include Hillsborough County School Board, Verizon Communication Corporation, and the University of South Florida. HCA, Baycare, and Health Management Associates round out the counties top three health care systems. The 2014 census approximates the population of Hillsborough to be 1,316,298 individuals. Statistical data from 2009-2013 reflects that 16.8 percent of families are below the poverty line which is a higher rating than that for the entire state of Florida, reporting 16.3 percent of families below the poverty line. The poverty threshold is determined by family size, number of children, and age of the head of household. Those that are 25 years of age or older with a high school diploma in Hillsborough account for 86.8 percent of the population, slightly higher than the same population throughout Florida. Non-English speakers account for 26.4 percent of Hillsborough County, slightly lower than the 27.4 percent found throughout Florida. Not surprisingly, statistics between the state of Florida and its fourth largest county are