Overall unemployment rate stayed flat at 2.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which gained 1,200 roles, based on the most recently available information published in May 2023.

Total employment in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL market rose by 2,456 jobs in March and the unemployment rate stayed flat. The national unemployment rate decreased by 27 bps over the same time to 3.6%.

  • Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL unemployment rate is 132 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) declined in March versus prior month by -1.8% 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 March 2023

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

  • Restaurants & Hotels: 24,300; +1,200
  • Transportation & Utilities: 22,600; +100
  • Business Services: 22,300; +200
  • Government: 21,800; no change
  • Education & Healthcare: 13,200; no change
  • Construction, Mining: 8,100; +100
  • Financial Services: 7,800; no change
  • Other Jobs: 5,000; no change
  • Manufacturing: 3,600; no change
  • IT & Development: 1,600; no change
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Unemployment by Industry March 2023

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through March 2023 (Data published May 2023 and reports created on May 9,2023).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.