The update does not show the 3 county areas of Glynn, Brantley and McIntosh counties in a flattering light in all areas, but the numbers are what they are. This update is based on three years’ of data gathered by the American Community Survey.   I am noting a few highlights:

1. 3 county area total population of 99,809. With Glynn County as home to 73,276 of them.
2. 18.1% of population as high school dropouts as compared to national average of 16%. 22% of population with a bachelor’s degree or higher to compare with 27% nationally.
3. Median household income at $44,613, which is less than the national median of $50,740. (Note: single mother households make up the largest percentage of families living in poverty.)
4. Our unemployment rate is lower than the national average – 3.1% compared to the national percent of 4.6.
5. Interestingly, we have a high percentage of military veterans than elsewhere with 14% of our population having served compared to 10.7% in other areas of GA and 10.4% nationally.
6. Single parent households came in at 8% headed by a mother and 2.7% by a single father. More women live here---52% to the 48% male figure. 
7. The median age is 37 with 71.3% being white, 23.9 black and 3.6% are Hispanic, Asian or Indian. 

The results of this survey of course lump the 3 county data into one pot. In doing so, it doesn’t take into consideration the individual makeup of just Glynn County. But information is a very good thing and I wanted to pass this along to you.

If you would care to view the full results of the Census survey, go online to:

With the holidays arrival, comes an increased flow of mail in the form of cards, circulars and sale advertisements. Some days you feel like you are simply drowning in paper! But, we are all attempting to do our part in creating less waste and being more “Green.” I remember the day when I thought an artificial tree was just plain tacky, but since they can be reused every year they save damaging forests and the energy involved to search for the perfect tree each year. Now with the pre-lit trees, you can also save a whole lot of annoyance that getting the lights strung properly used to cause. Good grief, we now have the option of LED lights that are more energy efficient than our old traditional Christmas lights. A little spray of a pine fragrance can even provide that lovely evergreen holiday scent! However, if you are using a live Christmas tree this year, you can visit Earth911.com to search your zip code to find the nearest tree recycling center near you.

 Happy Holidays to you and yours from your friends at Beachcomber Properties on St. Simons Island.

With mortgage rates dropping by ½ point almost overnight on a 30 year loan and the Government plan to buy $100 billion of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bonds, I am hopeful that we will see definitive results in home purchases.

With the stock market’s volatility of late, should the savvy investor be looking to something real and tangible---namely real estate? There is something to be said for an asset that you can see, touch and feel. Certainly I am aware that a real estate investment requires some maintenance, has property taxes and insurance expenses, etc. However, I personally am looking today at something that is truly tangible, and with real estate you can usually even have the advantage of tax benefits.   Regardless of the market, real estate has definite intrinsic value that cannot evaporate into thin air.