Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.9% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which gained 300 roles, based on the most recently available information published in February 2022.

Total employment in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL market rose by 108 jobs in December and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.9%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 20 bps over the same time to 3.7%.

  • Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL unemployment rate is 79 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 10 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in December versus prior month by 2.2% and are down compared to last year at this time in the market.
Month over Month Unemployment Change
Year over Year Unemployment Change
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Unemployment December 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.1% . Key sectors include:

  • Restaurants & Hotels: 22,100; +100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 21,600; +300
  • Government: 20,200; -300
  • Business Services: 19,100; no change
  • Education & Healthcare: 12,600; no change
  • Financial Services: 7,400; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 7,000; -100
  • Other Jobs: 4,900; no change
  • Manufacturing: 3,500; +100
  • IT & Development: 1,300; no change
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Unemployment by Industry December 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through December 2021 (Data published February 2022 and reports created on February 4, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.