Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.0% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in June 2023.

Total employment in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL market rose by 348 jobs in April and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 30 bps to 2.0%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 53 bps over the same time to 3.1%.

  • Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL unemployment rate is 110 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 20 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in April versus prior month by 0.4% and are up 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 April 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 0.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Restaurants & Hotels: 24,500; +200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 22,500; -100
  • Business Services: 22,200; -100
  • Government: 21,900; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 13,300; +100
  • Construction, Mining: 8,100; no change
  • Financial Services: 7,800; no change
  • Other Jobs: 4,900; no change
  • Manufacturing: 3,600; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,600; no change
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Unemployment by Industry April 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through April 2023 (Data published June 2023 and reports created on June 8,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.