Minority home buying charted; Charlotte County's rate increases; the rate in Sarasota County stays just above average.(A SECTION)

Byline: ANDY CRAIN andy.crain@herald-trib.com

Three years ago, when Ronnie Gamble's landlord raised his rent yet again, the Port Charlotte man decided enough was enough. He put together his savings, called a real estate agent and took the plunge.

He's been living the American dream ever since.

Gamble, who is black, is one of the thousands of minorities who own their own homes in Charlotte County, which boasts one of the highest minority home ownership rates in the state, according to 2000 Census data released this week.

While barely over half of minorities statewide own their own homes, more than three in four minority householders in Charlotte County are homeowners. Only three of Florida's 67 counties -- Flagler, Wakulla and Citrus -- have a higher rate.

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