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Okaloosa County Profile
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Primary Economic Development Contact
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
2010:180,822
2020(p):192,600
2040(p):214,400
(p) Denotes Projected Population
Florida
9,746,961
12,938,071
18,801,310
21,326,800
26,081,800
Okaloosa Florida
2007$41,109$39,449
2008$42,288$40,133
2009$42,007$38,965
Average TemperatureHighLow
January:6037
July:9171
Florida Mean Annual Precipitation...........................53
Average Annual Rain Days...........................110
(2010)
In-Migration14,069
Out-Migration16,536
Net-Migration -2,467
*Estimates based on IRS Statistics of Income data
(2010)
Labor Force96,350
Labor Force % of County Population53.3
Number in County Unemployed7,789
Unemployment Rate8.1%

  Monthly labor force data are available from the Florida Agency
  for Workforce Innovation.
N/D = No DataOkaloosaFlorida
(2010)
Average Annual Employment74,5027,109,630
Natural Resources & Mining0.0%1.2%
Construction5.0%5.0%
Manufacturing4.9%4.3%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities18.9%21.2%
Information1.6%1.9%
Financial Activities6.2%6.6%
Professional & Business Services13.9%14.8%
Education & Health Services11.9%22.0%
Leisure & Hospitality16.1%13.2%
Other Services3.2%3.3%
Public administration12.3%6.6%
Unclassified0.0%0.0%

Average Annual Wage
(2010)
All Industries$38,637
Construction$33,820
Education & Health Services$37,833
Financial Activities$39,138
Information$58,700
Leisure & Hospitality$16,210
Manufacturing$52,713
Natural Resources & Mining$15,199
Other Services$29,819
Professional & Business Services$53,974
Public administration$60,204
Trade, Transportation and Utilities$29,327
Unclassified$85,819
Major Private Sector Employers

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
Business Line: Full Service Hospital
Number of Employees..................................................... 1,305

L-3 Communications/Crestview Aerospace
Business Line: Aircraft Manufacturing, Maintenance, & Modification
Number of Employees..................................................... 930

DRS Training & Control Systems
Business Line: Defense Electronics
Number of Employees..................................................... 875

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

ResortQuest
Business Line: Property Management & Real Estate
Number of Employees..................................................... 750

Jacobs TEAS
Business Line: Engineering Services
Number of Employees..................................................... 700

BAE Technical Services
Business Line: Aerospace & Defense Contractor
Number of Employees..................................................... 700

Lockheed Martin
Business Line: Aerospace & Defense Contractor
Number of Employees..................................................... 680

Tybrin Corporation
Business Line: Engineering Analysis & Software Development
Number of Employees..................................................... 535

Boeing
Business Line: Aerospace & Defense Contractor
Number of Employees..................................................... 530

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
Schools7.7690
Special0.0400
Total11.0989

Ad Valorem Tax Exemption: No
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:
  • CenturyLink
  • Cox Communications
  • CHELCO

  • 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
    Totals:541,89628,695

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

    Colleges/Universities:
  • Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
  • University of West Florida
  • University of Arkansas
  • Troy University
  • Northwest Florida State College
  • UF - Research, Engineering & Education Facility

  • Junior/Community Colleges:
  • none

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

  • Other Schools:
  • Collegiate High School
  • Community High Institute of Career Education

  • 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
  • WTKE - FM 98.1
  • Local Television Stations:
  • Beach TV
  • WEAR (ABC)
  • WSRE (PBS)
  • WJHG (NBC)
  • Cox Cable (IND)
  • Gulf Coast TV
  • Locally Printed Newspapers:
  • The Northwest Florida Daily News
  • The Crestview News Bulletin
  • The Destin Log
  • The Bay Beacon
  • Hurlburt Warrior/Eglin Flyer

  • Number of Banks:27

    Number of Savings and Loans:0

    Number of Credit Unions:6
    Cost of Living
    Price Level Index, (2010)
    Florida State Average = 100
    200895.22
    200996.16
    201097.49
    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 Center of Northwest FL State College
  • Destin Fishing Rodeo - Destin Cobia Tournament
  • Emerald Coast Science Center
  • Festivals - Arts, Crafts, Seafood
  • Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation
  • NWF Ballet Academy

  • 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