Overall unemployment rate moved down to 2.5% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 900 roles, based on the most recently available information published in April 2022.

Total employment in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL market rose by 432 jobs in February and the unemployment rate decreased compared to the prior month by 40 bps to 2.5%. The national unemployment rate decreased by 28 bps over the same time to 4.1%.

  • Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL unemployment rate is 164 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 140 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) grew in February versus prior month by 9.6% 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 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs grew by 1.2% . Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 22,600; +100
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 21,800; +900
  • Government: 21,300; +200
  • Business Services: 20,200; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 12,400; +100
  • Financial Services: 7,700; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 7,100; no change
  • Other Jobs: 5,100; +100
  • Manufacturing: 3,500; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,400; no change
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Unemployment by Industry February 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through February 2022 (Data published April 2022 and reports created on April 6, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.