Okaloosa County

Life Starts Here

Ah, Okaloosa — where else can you live and tell your friends you have your own private island? The region is ripe with true southern hospitality, fascinating scenery and property taxes that are the lowest per capita of all counties in the state of Florida.

Enjoy excellent healthcare, a prime real estate market, and a cost of living that is just under the national average. It’s really unimaginable, considering the value Okaloosa County packs in with its thriving arts & culture scene, emerald-green waters and orange and yellow sunsets. Whether you choose to live in a northern city like Crestview or a beach town like Destin, Okaloosa County offers family-friendly, eye-opening, world-building experiences for little ones and adults alike.

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213,255 Population in Okaloosa County U.S. Census Bureau, 2021

A-Rated Okaloosa County School District Florida’s Great Northwest

Lowest Per capita property tax rates of all 67 Florida counties Florida’s Great Northwest

$9 Billion Economic impact from military operations (Okaloosa County) One Okaloosa

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A Place of Community

From the hospitality-driven county seat of Crestview to the unmatched military representation provided by the world’s largest Air Force Base, Eglin AFB, Okaloosa County is a place of community. In Crestview the Carver-Hill Museum and May Day Festival celebrate the history of African Americans in the county. Fort Walton Beach, Okaloosa Island and “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” of Destin all allow you to explore festivals rich in history, with Gulf to Table dining options that leave no craving unsatisfied. Okaloosa cares about your health, too, with quality hospitals and medical centers in every major city.

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A Veteran-First Economy

Whether you’re interested in manufacturing, IT, aerospace or healthcare, Okaloosa County is an ideal environment. The county provides unmatched veteran services for transitioning service members and their spouses, with the Eglin and Hulbert Air Force Bases receiving designation as a Great American Defense Community by the National Association of Defense Communities. For civilians and service members alike, finding jobs in Okaloosa County is simple, with CareerSource Okaloosa Walton never more than an hour away in Fort Walton Beach.

Raising a Family Here

For the Kid and the Kid-At-Heart

Families love Okaloosa County because of the close-knit and safe communities. Okaloosa County School District has been rated A+ in overall education while private schools offer a range of extracurricular and college preparatory learning experiences

Keeping everyone entertained in Okaloosa is easy, too. The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island offers shopping, dining, an aquarium, a family fun center and a majestic view of the Emerald Coast that kids will love. Destin and Fort Walton offer tons of experiences for little ones, from beginner paddleboarding to private pontoon picnicking. In Niceville, a children’s playground, spray park and walking path with gazebos provide fun and relaxation for the entire family.

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