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Okaloosa County Profile
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County Website : www.florida-edc.org
Nearest MSA: Crestview-Ft. Walton Beac
Time Zone: Central
Local Area Code(s): 850
Largest Cities:1 Ft. Walton Beach
2 Crestview
3 Niceville
Miles* To:
Tallahassee...................................140
Orlando...................................350
Tampa...................................313
Jacksonville...................................298
Miami...................................521
Atlanta...................................242
Chicago...................................767
Dallas...................................617
New York...................................984
*Miles are calculated from county seat.
Click here to learn about this county.
Okaloosa
1980:109,920
1990:143,777
2009:178,473
2015(p):207,100
2030(p):245,100
(p) Denotes Projected Population
Florida
9,746,961
12,938,071
18,537,969
19,881,200
23,821,300
Okaloosa Florida
2006$39,154$38,161
2007$40,465$39,036
2008$41,050$39,064
Average TemperatureHighLow
January:6037
July:9171
Florida Mean Annual Precipitation...........................53
Average Annual Rain Days...........................110
(2008)
In-Migration14,022
Out-Migration15,979
Net-Migration -1,957
*Estimates based on IRS Statistics of Income data
(2009)
Labor Force98,167
Labor Force % of County Population55.0
Number in County Unemployed7,054
Unemployment Rate7.2%

  Monthly labor force data are available from the Florida Agency
  for Workforce Innovation.
N/D = No DataOkaloosaFlorida
(2008)
Average Annual Employment78,7747,945,162
Natural Resources & Mining0.1%1.2%
Construction5.9%6.5%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities19.1%20.5%
Manufacturing5.7%4.7%
Information2.4%2.0%
Other Services3.3%3.2%
Public administration11.8%5.9%
UnclassifiedN/D
Leisure & Hospitality15.3%11.9%
Education & Health Services16.2%19.4%
Professional & Business Services13.4%14.4%
Financial Activities6.8%6.6%

Average Annual Wage
(2008)
All Industries$36,470
Construction$33,791
Education & Health Services$37,866
Financial Activities$39,482
Information$56,824
Leisure & Hospitality$16,254
Manufacturing$49,155
Natural Resources & Mining$30,057
Other Services$27,064
Professional & Business Services$51,071
Public administration$52,990
Trade, Transportation and Utilities$26,031
UnclassifiedN/D
Major Private Sector Employers

Tybrin Corporation
Business Line: Engineering Analysis & Software Development
Number of Employees..................................................... 1,390

Resort Quest
Business Line: Real Estate Sales & Property Management
Number of Employees..................................................... 1,000

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
Business Line: Full Service Hospital
Number of Employees..................................................... 912

L3/Crestview Aerospace
Business Line: Aircraft Manufacturing, Maintenance, & Modification
Number of Employees..................................................... 898

DRS Training & Control Systems
Business Line: Defense Electronics
Number of Employees..................................................... 811

InDyne, Inc.
Business Line: Range/Test Facilities; Security Systems; Multimedia
Number of Employees..................................................... 800

Sverdrup Technology/Jacob TEAS
Business Line: Engineering Services
Number of Employees..................................................... 650

North Okaloosa Medical Center
Business Line: Full Service Hospital
Number of Employees..................................................... 643

Okaloosa Walton College
Business Line: College & Professional School
Number of Employees..................................................... 600

Legendary Inc.
Business Line: Development/Retail
Number of Employees..................................................... 500
Federal InterstatesI-10
Federal HighwaysUS-90, US-98
State HighwaysRoute 20, Route 85
RailroadsCSX
Nearest Airport with Scheduled Commerical Airline Service:Northwest Florida Regional Airport
# Runways2
Longest Paved Runway(ft.)12010
General Aviation AirportsBob SIkes Airport, Destin Airport

Local Deep Water PortPort of Pensacola
Miles to Closest Port44
COUNTY
Countywide Ad Valorem Millage Rates:
Government3.2899
Schools7.6390
Special0.0450
Total10.9739
Ad Valorem Tax Exemption: Yes
Retail Sales Tax (Local Option)0.00
Federal Enterprise ZoneNo
State Enterprise ZoneEZ-4601
STATE
Corporate Income Tax5.5%
Personal Income Tax0.0%
Retail Sales Tax6.0%
Electric Companies:
  • Gulf Power Company
  • Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative (CHELCO)

    • Natural Gas Companies:
  • Okaloosa Gas District

    • Telephone Companies:
  • Embarq

    • Water & Sewer Companies:
  • Okaloosa Water & Sewage
  • Individual Cities Water Management Districts


    • Existing Industrial Zoned LandYes
    Number of Acres1,065
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel0

    Industrial ParksYes
    Number of Acres900
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel0

    Foreign Trade ZonesNo
    Zone Number(s)N/A
    Public
    Schools    		TeachersEnrollments
    Elementary:1083513,279
    Secondary:780516,271
    Totals:171,64029,550

    Private Schools Available: Yes
    POST SECONDARY EDUCATION SERVING THE COUNTY:

    Colleges/Universities:
  • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
  • University of West Florida
  • UF - Graduate Engineering & Research Center
  • University of Arkansas
  • Troy University

    • Junior/Community Colleges:
  • Northwest Florida State College

    • Vocational/Technical Schools:
  • Okaloosa Applied Technology Center
  • Bay Area Vocational Technology School
  • Crestview Vocational Technology Center

    • Other Schools:
  • Collegiate High School - OWCC

    • Local Radio Stations:
  • WKSM - FM 99.5
  • WMXA - FM 103.1
  • WWAV - FM 102.1
  • WYZB - FM 105.5
  • WNCV - FM 100.3
  • WFTV - AM 1260
  • WSNX - 96.5
    • Local Television Stations:
  • Beach TV
  • Blab Television
  • WFGX-TV
  • Emerald Coast TV
    • Locally Printed Newspapers:
  • The Northwest Florida Daily News
  • The Crestview News Bulletin
  • The Destin Log
  • The Bay Beacon
    		•

    Number of Banks:22

    Number of Savings and Loans:0

    Number of Credit Unions:3
    Cost of Living
    Price Level Index, (2007)
    Florida State Average = 100
    Sample
    Total91.30
    Food100.24
    Housing83.19
    Medical Care87.39
    Personal Goods and Services 98.53
    Transportation97.99
    Medical Services:
  • Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
  • North Okaloosa Medical Center
  • Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast
  • Twin Cities Hospital
  • White-Wilson Medical Center

    • Recreational Opportunities:
  • Beaches/Water Parks/Boardwalks
  • Camping
  • Canoeing/Kayaking/Rafting
  • Golf
  • Hunting/Fishing
  • Scuba Diving/Snorkeling
  • Shopping/Dining
  • Watersports / Boating

    • Historical Points Of Interest:
  • Air Force Armament Museum
  • Camp Walton School House
  • Carver-Hill Museum
  • Destin Fishing & History Museum
  • Heritage Museum of NW Florida
  • Indian Temple Mound Museum & Park

    • Cultural Events/Festivals:
  • Amphitheater
  • Arts & Crafts Festivals
  • Arts Center of Okaloosa-Walton Community College
  • Emerald Coast Science Center
  • School of Ballet
  • Seafood Festivals
  • World Cobia Fishing Tournament

    • Enterprise Florida, Inc. 800 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 1100 Orlando, Florida 32803 Phone 407-956-5600 Fax(407)956-5599
    Visit us on the World Wide Web: http://www.eflorida.com