Okaloosa County, Florida

Okaloosa County, Florida

The Okaloosa County courthouse in March 2008

Flag
Seal
Map of Florida highlighting Okaloosa County
Location in the state of Florida
Map of the United States highlighting Florida
Florida's location in the U.S.
Founded June 13, 1915
Seat Crestview
Largest community Wright
Area
 • Total 1,082 sq mi (2,802 km2)
 • Land 930 sq mi (2,409 km2)
 • Water 152 sq mi (394 km2), 14.0%
Population (est.)
 • (2015) 198,664
 • Density 502/sq mi (194/km²)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5
Website www.co.okaloosa.fl.us

Okaloosa County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line. As of the 2010 census, the population was 180,822.[1] Its county seat is Crestview.[2]

Okaloosa County is included in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Okaloosa County was created by an act passed June 3, 1915.[3] Okaloosa is a Choctaw word meaning "black water". "Oka" means water, and "lusa" is black in the Choctaw language.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,082 square miles (2,800 km2), of which 930 square miles (2,400 km2) is land and 152 square miles (390 km2) (14.0%) is water.[4] Fort Walton Beach and three United States Air Force bases, (Duke Field in the North and Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field are in the south).

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
19209,360—
19309,8975.7%
194012,90030.3%
195027,533113.4%
196061,175122.2%
197088,18744.2%
1980109,92024.6%
1990143,77630.8%
2000170,49818.6%
2010180,8226.1%
Est. 2015198,664[5]9.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790-1960[7] 1900-1990[8]
1990-2000[9] 2010-2015[1]

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 170,498 people, 66,269 households, and 46,520 families residing in the county. The population density was 182 people per square mile (70/km²). There were 78,593 housing units at an average density of 84 per square mile (32/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.41% White, 9.10% Black or African American, 0.60% Native American, 2.47% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 1.33% from other races, and 2.96% from two or more races. 4.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 66,269 households out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.70% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 31.10% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,474, and the median income for a family was $47,711. Males had a median income of $30,977 versus $21,961 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,918. About 6.60% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.70% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The county's public schools come under the Okaloosa County School District.

Libraries

Okaloosa County is served by the Okaloosa County Public Library Cooperative.

Transportation

Airports

Surface Transportation

Okaloosa County Transit operates bus service in the county.[11]

Politics

Okaloosa County is one of the most conservative counties in Florida. Incumbent George W. Bush won the county in 2004 with 78% of the popular vote and in 2008 the Republican candidate John McCain polled 72%.[12]

Presidential elections results
Year Republican Democratic Other
2012 74.0% 24.7% 1.3%
2008 71.8% 27.0% 1.2%
2004 77.7% 21.6% .8%
2000 73.7% 24.0% 2.3%

Communities

Cities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ Hutchinson, Leonard Patrick, "History of the Playground Area of Northwest Florida", Great Outdoors Publishing Co., St. Petersburg, Florida, 1st ed., 1961, no Library of Congress card number, no ISBN, page 41.
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  11. ↑ http://rideoct.org/index.html
  12. ↑ "2008 US Presidential Election Results by County - USATODAY.com". Content.usatoday.com. 2008-11-10. Retrieved 2010-07-22.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Okaloosa County, Florida.

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

Tourism links

Media links

 Escambia County, Alabama Covington County, Alabama
Santa Rosa County Walton County
   Okaloosa County, Florida  
Gulf of Mexico

Coordinates: 30°40′N 86°35′W / 30.67°N 86.59°W / 30.67; -86.59

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