Statistic look: how hurricanes affect the U.S. coastal lifestyle

Share of U.S. territory defined as coastal by the federal government: 25 percent. Increase in Americans living in coastal areas since 1960: 63 percent.

Average home value in U.S. coastal vs. inland counties: $308,845(Ђ261,888) vs. $208,256(Ђ176,593).

How fast Florida's population grew between the year 2000 and 2004: 9 percent.

How much housing Florida built in its flood-prone coastal high hazard areas from 1990 to 2002: 212,000 units worth $53 billion (Ђ45 billion).

Record value of insured property lost in U.S. hurricanes this season: $54 billion (Ђ46 billion).

Estimated record loss from Hurricane Katrina: more than $40 billion (Ђ34 billion).

How much more frequent hurricanes were in the average season between 2000-2004 than they were during average season in history: 27 percent.

How much assets covered by federal flood insurance have expanded since 1978: 16 fold.

Federal flood payments made since 1978 in Florida's hurricane heartland Pensacola and other parts of Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, and Okaloosa County: about $650 million (Ђ551 million).

How many hurricanes struck that area during last two seasons: two. How many hurricanes did major damage in that area since 1995: four.

How many single-family houses were destroyed on Pensacola Beach during the past two hurricane seasons: 289 of 1,200. Drop in building permits in Pensacola area in first nine months of this year, compared to same period last year: 18 percent, AP reports. P.T.