Overall unemployment rate moved up to 2.3% with the biggest shift in Restaurants & Hotels, which lost 400 roles, based on the most recently available information published in December 2022.

Total employment in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL market declined by 1,405 jobs in October and the unemployment rate increased compared to the prior month by 10 bps to 2.3%. The national unemployment rate increased by 8 bps over the same time to 3.4%.

  • 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 50 bps below the unemployment rate in the market last year at this time, which is a positive.
  • Average wages (per hour) declined in October versus prior month by -2.9% 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 October 2022

For key employment segments of the market, total jobs stayed flat. Key sectors include:

  • Transportation & Utilities: 22,900; +300
  • Restaurants & Hotels: 22,600; -400
  • Government: 21,400; -100
  • Business Services: 20,600; +100
  • Education & Healthcare: 12,900; +100
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Unemployment by Industry October 2022

Data is based on the most recent 12 months available, through October 2022 (Data published December 2022 and reports created on December 2, 2022).  Source: Government data agency and locally acquired statistics.

Note: All reported data is not seasonally adjusted.