Destin is a city in Okaloosa County, known as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village,” with a population of 13,421. Destin is rated #2 in best places to live in the county. The median age is 39.5 years and many families, young professionals and military personnel live here. In 2017, veterans who served the Gulf war (2001-) made up 503 of the population, 1.22 times greater than any other conflict. The median household income is $71,407 and the mean commute to work is 21 minutes, with 42% of residents both work and reside in Destin.
Destin has a suburban feel to it and the residents tend to lean conservative. The median property value is $284,900 and most families own their home with a homeownership rate of 63% with 13,677 total housing units in the city.
To become a homeowner, or search for your next home in Destin, begin your search here:
The following topics will be covered on this page:
DESTIN HOUSING DATA
DESTIN DEMOGRAPHICS
DESTIN ECONOMY
DESTIN CHILD CARE SERVICES
DESTIN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
DESTIN MEDICAL FACILITIES
DESTIN RECREATION/ACTIVITIES
The housing data comes mostly from the 2018 American Community Survey from the Census Bureau, covering housing supply, occupancy, owner vs. renter costs and financing data and basic home characteristics.
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The total number of housing units for Destin is 13,677. 43% of them are occupied and 57% are vacant. Of the occupied units, 63% of them are owner occupied, with renters making up only 37%.
There are as many detached single family homes in Destin as there are 50+ attached units (condos).
Monthly Costs & Financing
The median rental rate is $1,369, with 94% of renters paying extra for their utilities.
Median monthly owner costs are $1,369, which includes costs associated with mortgage, utilities, homeowner’s insurance, etc.
The median housing costs for owners without mortgages is $639. 64% of homeowner’s have mortgages.
The average real estate taxes are $2084.
House Values & Characteristics
The household size for families in Destin is 2.3, average family size is 2.8.
The median number of rooms in homes are 4.3.
The median year that a house was built is 1992, and the median home value is $284,900.
The demographics data comes from the most recent data available from the Census Bureau released in December 2018.
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The total population of the city is 13,421.
The median age of the people is 39.5.
The average size of a typical family is 2.8.
The education level of adults in Destin is high, the over whelming majority has some type of college education or degree.
More than half of the adult population of Destin is married, 53%.
Destin is a safe place to live, residents have a 1 in 83 chance of becoming a victim of any crime. The crime rate is 56% lower than the national average.
Not included in this crime rate reporting is child sex offender, to check the child sex offenders, search this registry.
The local economy and labor force data comes from the most recent economic data from the 2018 Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The median household income is $71,407 and the median earnings per worker is $43,179.
6% of those in the labor force are self-employed in Destin.
The percentage of households that had retirement income is 19%
The monthly unemployment rate for the area is 3.8%
The monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work is 69%
The average commute time to work is 21 minutes, with 42% of workers live and work in Destin.
If you are new to the area, or in need of child care for the first time, the following child care services are available here. (Please note, this is for information purposes only, it is not an endorsement of any child care facility).
Childcare Network #105
502 Benning Drive
Destin 32541
850.837.4004
For ages 6 weeks to 12 years
Open M-F 6:15am-6pm
Child Care Facility
Capacity: 99 children
The Roane School
4465 Legendary Drive
850.650.0137
Fax: 850.650.0763
Visit their site for more information.
Capacity: 202
Noah’s Ark Preschool
250 Indian Bayou Trail
850.650.3504
Tuition information available on their site.
Child care Facility
Capacity: 90 children
Jacob’s Ladder
200 Beach Drive
850.837.4464
Please call or visit their site for more information.
Capacity: 195 children
My Beach Sitter
139 Sibert Ave.
Desin 32541
850.502.799
Open 24 hours
God’s Garden of Grace
4325 Commons Dr. W
850.654.1440
Capacity: 46 children
The Village Preschool
101 Matthews Blvd.
850.837.8107
850.582.5771
Religious Child Care Facility
Capacity: 63 children
First Baptist Child Development Center
201 Beach Dr.
850.837.7645
Capacity: 120
Mangum Family Day Care
1202 Quail Lake Blvd.
850.650.2273
Call for more information, programs and rates.
Home Child Care
Capacity: 10 children
Compare all schools here
Destin Elementary
630 Kelly Street, Destin 32541
850.833.4360
Fax: 850.833.4370
Rated #6 Best Public Elementary School in Okaloosa County, and #186 in Florida. It has 866 Students in grades PK, K-4 with a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1.
Math Proficiency: 86%
Reading Proficiency: 75%
Destin Middle School
4608 Legendary Marina Drive, Destin 32541
850.733.7655
Fax: 850.833.7677
Rated #5 best public middle school in Okaloosa County and #100 in Florida. It has 707 students in grades 5-8 with a student teacher ratio of 18 to 1.
Math Proficiency: 80%
Fort Walton Beach High School
Destin doesn't have a High School. The students currently go to Fort Walton Beach High School. You can find more details about the high school here.
As of September 19, 2018, Destin plans to open their own High school. For Information, see News Here.
Humana Hospital Destin
996 Airport Rd., Destin
This is a 50 bed nursing home and rehabilitation center.
Plan B-Adult Care Solutions, LLC
12671 Emerald Coast Pkwy
Suite 204
Destin
850.650.9585
This is a home care provider for seniors. Services they provide include:
Nursing care services
Physical Therapy Services
Occupational Therapy Services
Speech Pathology Services
Medical Social Services
Home Health Aide Services
Destin Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center
195 Mattie M. Kelly Blvd.
850.654.4588
This is a 119 bed Nursing home and dedicated 19 beds for those with Alzheimer’s.
The Track
1125 US 98
850.654.4668
Admissions & Hours:
Monday-Sunday, 9am-11pm
This is an amusement park with go-karts, mini-golf, bumper cars, kids rides and arcade. Visit their site for pricing information.
Big Kahunas
1007 US Hwy 98E
850.837.8319
Admission & Hours:
Tropical Mini Golf, ages 12+ $6.99/Ages under 12 $4.99/Cyclone (must be 48" to ride) - $14.99
Skycoaster (must be 48" to ride) - $14.99/ Thrill ride Combo Pass -$27.99/ Flow Rider Twilight Pass - $9.99
The water park has more than 40 water attractions, including the wave pool, lazy river, half-pipes, waterfalls and other rides. There is also a 54-hole tropical mini-golf course and a speed race track. There are 3 restaurants located at the park. Visit their site for more information.
Henderson Beach State Park
17000 Emerald Coast Pkwy
850.837.7550
8am-sundown, daily
Henderson Beach State Park has 60 campsites that can accommodate tents or RVs. Each campsite has a fire pit. Campers have a separate beach access on the boardwalk.
Amenities include Water, electricity, ground grills, picnic tables and climate-controlled bath houses feature hot showers and laundry facilities and a playground located nearby.
Swimming is permitted, but lifeguards are not provided. There are swimming safety flags posted each day.
Bicycles are permitted in the park, but only along the paved road that circles the park. In-line skating areas are also permitted in portions of the park.
The Destin Commons
4100 Legendary Drive
850.337.8700
A shopping center with a variety of stores. Visit their site for a listing of stores and hours.
Crab Island Dolphin Tours
850.803.5466
Open daily from 10am-9pm
They offer Pontoon boat rentals:
Pontoon boat (up to 8 people) $125/hr.
Pontoon boat (9-13 people) $125/hr + $50.00 per person
Paddle board rentals: $25/hr.
Visit their site for more information and to reserve your rental.
Just Sailing
600 Harbor Blvd. Destin, FL 32541 Phone: 850.687.1990
Just Sailing’s Private Sailing Charters and Lessons offer real sailing adventures along Northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast. Set Sail through the Destin Harbor into East Pass toward the jetties. We may continue into the Gulf of Mexico or tack and sail under the Marler Bridge into smoother waters of Choctawhatchee Bay. Sit back under the bimini, find a place on deck to sunbathe or assist with sailing. Dolphins frequently appear near us, so be sure to keep a watchful eye.
Flipper’s Adventures
500 Harbor Blvd.
850.837.0113
Open daily from 8am to sunset (weather permitting)
They offer dolphin tours, sunset cruises, snorkeling adventures. Visit their site for more information and current rates.
Discount Watersports
316 Harbor Blvd.
850.654.0099
They offer Pontoon boat rentals, parasailing, wave runners and dolphin excursions. Visit their site for more information, pricing and reservations.