Almost one-third of people under 65 in Miami-Dade and one-fourth in Broward lacked health insurance in 2005, according to Census Bureau figures.

The numbers -- the first provided by the Census Bureau in five years -- paint a grim picture in South Florida and the state overall.

In Miami-Dade, 29.6 percent lacked coverage. In Broward, it was 26 percent.

Both were above the state's 24 percent.

Only Texas and New Mexico had higher rates of uninsured people under 65.

As have many other studies, this report found a wide disparity among racial-ethnic groups. Hispanics in Florida were far more likely to be uninsured -- 38.6 percent. Black non-Hispanics had a 26.7 percent rate -- the highest rate for blacks found anywhere in the country. White non-Hispanics were at 17.9 percent.

Only Mississippi and Texas had higher rates for Hispanics. Only Montana and Oklahoma had higher rates for whites.

Racial-ethnic breakdowns by county were not available, but Daniella Levine of the Human Services Coalition said she was sure the number of uninsured Hispanics in South Florida would be huge.

''They've always been the highest subgroup,'' said Levine, whose group often represents the interests of the poor and the uninsured. ``They tend to work primarily for small employers, or their immigration status might be a factor. Some might be undocumented and not receive benefits. . . .

''And I'm sure it's gotten worse since 2005,'' Levine said. ``Insurance premiums keep going up, so more companies can't afford them. There's more part-time work, fewer jobs with benefits. And now with the economy sinking, it's only going to get worse.''

The Census Bureau said the latest figures are not comparable with a previous study in 2000 because different techniques were used, but Levine said that from studies she has seen from other groups, ''this is definitely showing an increase'' in the uninsured.

Many experts, including Levine, have pointed out that the unemployed poor qualify for Medicaid, so most of the uninsured people are workers who lack benefits.

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