Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.4% with the biggest shift in Transportation & Utilities, which lost 500 roles, based on the most recently available information published in March 2023.

Total employment in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL market rose by 1,167 jobs in January and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 50 bps to 2.4%. The national unemployment rate increased by 60 bps over the same time to 3.9%.

  • Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL unemployment rate is 146 bps below the national rate which is a positive sign.
  • Unemployment in the market is 50 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in January versus prior month by -3.3% 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 January 2023

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs declined by -0.7%. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 22,700; -500
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 22,600; no change
  • Business Services: 22,200; -100
  • Government: 21,500; -200
  • Education & Healthcare: 13,100; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 8,000; no change
  • Financial Services: 7,800; -100
  • 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 January 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through January 2023 (Data published March 2023 and reports created on March 17, 2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.