Demographics

Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin MSA

Okaloosa County, Florida, also identified as the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin MSA, may be best known for the sugar white sands and emerald green waters that draw millions of visitors each year. Yet the community is far more than just another pretty face. Eglin Air Force Base, the world’s largest Air Force installation, hosts the headquarters of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the 96th Test Wing and the 33rd Fighter Wing (F-35 graduate flying and maintenance training wing) among others. With research and testing at the forefront of activities taking place at Eglin, numerous technology and defense contractors have located here – including renowned powerhouses Boeing, BAE Systems, and Lockheed Martin. All benefit from a pro-business local government, award-winning public schools (including Florida’s first STEM-focused middle school), a myriad of post-secondary education options and a steady stream of young, technically astute military retirees.

In Okaloosa County, businesses thrive in an environment with favorable tax and regulatory climates that offer bright, talented people the opportunity to innovate.

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Labor Force

Okaloosa County provides its business community with the resources and infrastructure needed to optimize business operations and promote growth and expansion.

Due to the expansive military presence, retired and otherwise separated military personnel make up a large portion of the area's available workforce. These veterans represent nearly a quarter of Okaloosa County's population. This demographic of the county's workforce are skilled and disciplined and of high value to the local defense contractors.

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Okaloosa Municipalities Demographics

Click on a municipality to view individual demographics reports for each of the Okaloosa County municipalities listed below.

 

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