Okaloosa County

As of the 2020 census, Okaloosa County, FL, has a population of approximately 211,668. The racial composition is about 78.2% White, 10.1% Black or African American, 4.0% Asian, 1.1% Native American, and 6.6% Hispanic or Latino. The median household income stands around $65,491, with 12.2% of residents living below the poverty line. The county's age distribution includes 20.3% under 18, 62.1% between 18 and 64, and 17.6% above 65.

As of recent data, Okaloosa County, FL has a median home price of approximately $356,000, with an average of $195 per square foot. The median rent stands at about $1,700 per month. Home values have appreciated by around 15% over the past year. The county features a mix of single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses. The homeownership rate is around 65%, with a vacancy rate close to 12%. Popular towns for housing include Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Destin, with varying price points depending on proximity to the coast and local amenities.

As of 2022, in Okaloosa County, FL, various significant races were held. The county had approximately 161,000 registered voters. Key positions included:

1. County Commission: Seats 2 and 4 were contested.

   • District 2: Carolyn Ketchel (R, incumbent) vs. Matt Turpin (R, challenger).
   • District 4: Trey Goodwin (R, incumbent) vs. Debra Ann Jenson (D, challenger).

2. School Board: Several seats were up.

   • District 1: Lamar White (incumbent) was on the ballot.
   • District 3: Paul Mixon and Kinsey Chism ran.

3. Judicial Elections: Several judgeships were contested.

   • County Judge: Angela Mason faced incumbent Patricia Grinsted.

4. State and Federal Elections: Okaloosa is part of Florida's 1st congressional district.

   • Representative Matt Gaetz (R) defended his seat against Peggy Schiller (D).

Local measures and amendments were also part of the ballot, reflecting vibrant electoral participation in the county.

Okaloosa County, FL, showcases a significant level of educational attainment. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, approximately 91.5% of adults in the county have a high school diploma or higher, which is higher than the national average of about 88%. Additionally, around 28.7% of Okaloosa County residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, slightly above the national average of 27.7% and close to Florida's state average.

The Okaloosa County School District serves about 30,000 students across various educational institutions, and has a high school graduation rate of 86.3%, surpassing Florida's average of 86.1% (2022 data).

Overall, the educational attainment in Okaloosa County is commendable, surpassing both national and statewide averages in several key areas.

As of the latest available data, Okaloosa County, FL has a labor force participation rate of approximately 63.7% with an unemployment rate near 2.5%, below both the national average of around 3.5% and the state average of 3.3%. Key industries in Okaloosa County include defense, tourism, and education. The county hosts major military installations like Eglin Air Force Base, contributing significantly to local employment. Tourism also thrives due to the Gulf Coast's popular beaches, with hospitality and recreational services employing a considerable portion of the population. Education and healthcare services are also major employers. Compared to national averages, Okaloosa County has a higher percentage of employment in defense and tourism, while manufacturing and technology sectors are less prominent. Employment in education and healthcare is in line with state and national trends.

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Okaloosa County, FL, stands at approximately $66,000 annually. This is slightly above the median household income for the state of Florida, which is around $61,000. Nationally, the median household income is approximately $68,700. Therefore, Okaloosa County's income levels are competitive when compared both to state and national figures but fall slightly below the national median.

This comparison shows that Okaloosa County has a higher median household income than the state average but is slightly less than the national average, indicating a relatively strong local economy.

As of the most recent data in 2022, Okaloosa County, FL, has a mixed crime profile. The county reported a crime rate of approximately 2,556 incidents per 100,000 residents. Below is a statistics table detailing the types of crimes:

Please note that these numbers are subject to change as new data becomes available.