Overall unemployment rate moved down to 3.1% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2021.

Total employment in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL market rose by 1,458 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 3.1%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 26 bps over the same time to 6.6%.

  • Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL unemployment rate is 345 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 40 bps above the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a negative.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 5.8% 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 February 2021

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.5% . Key sectors include:

  • Government: 20,900; +100
  • Transportation & Utilities: 20,200; -200
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 20,100; +500
  • Business Services: 19,400; -100
  • Education & Healthcare: 12,300; +100
  • Financial Services: 7,200; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 6,900; +100
  • Other Jobs: 4,700; no change
  • Manufacturing: 3,400; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,300; no change
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Unemployment by Industry February 2021

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2021 (Data published April 2021 and reports created on April 9, 2021).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.