Population 19,520 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Median age by neighborhoodHistory and comparison ↓︎
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Population and households in Destin
Household size in Destin
| Period | Destin | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.36 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.35 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.30 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.07 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Destin are small: just 2.30 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Household size has edged down from 2.36 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Destin
| Period | Destin | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.4 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.1 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.5 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.1 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.7 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
Destin skews older than the country: its median age is 44.1, against 40.1 nationally. That is in line with the rest of Florida. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.4, in line with the national trend.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Destin
| Period | Destin | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.5% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.4% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.0% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.0% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are about as common in Destin as they are nationally: 11.0%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 3.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Destin
Renters in Destin
| Period | Destin | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.4% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 32.2% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 35.5% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 31.2% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Destin own their homes; 31.2% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. About four in ten owners (41.0%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. The renter share has risen 1.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Destin
| Period | Destin | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 34.8% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 32.3% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 29.9% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 27.2% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.6 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 27.2% of the housing in Destin, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has fallen 7.6 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Destin
| Period | Destin | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1992 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1991 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1994 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1995 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Destin is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1995, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1992 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Destin
| Period | Destin | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,267 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,328 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,532 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,011 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$744 | +$724 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Destin costs $2,011 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $744 a month from 2006–10, a 59% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 31.6% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the center; the highest are in the south.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Destin
Bachelor's degrees in Destin
| Period | Destin | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 38.8% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 40.2% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 43.7% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 47.0% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.1 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Destin is highly educated: nearly half of adults 25 and older (47.0%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 8.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the center.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Destin
| Period | Destin | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.6% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.8% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.0% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.8% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.2 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Destin: 94.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.2 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Destin
| Period | Destin | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.5% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.1% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.2% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.6% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Destin has been strong: just 2.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 512 Florida cities with 5,000+ people, only 48 have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 1.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Destin compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Destin | 2.30 | 44.1 | 11.0% | 31.2% | 27.2% | 1995 | $2,011 | 47.0% | 94.8% | 2.6% |
| Eglin Afb | 3.02 | 27.1 | 11.7% | 92.8% | 5.9% | 2009 | $2,142 | 45.1% | 94.5% | 2.3% |
| Lake Lorraine | 2.34 | 42.9 | 6.3% | 27.6% | 13.7% | 1982 | $1,691 | 47.9% | 94.4% | 2.4% |
| Niceville | 2.58 | 43.0 | 4.8% | 21.3% | 10.0% | 1990 | $1,828 | 47.1% | 97.4% | 3.9% |
| Miramar Beach | 2.05 | 58.7 | 5.1% | 18.3% | 50.3% | 1998 | $2,269 | 51.2% | 99.1% | 5.7% |
| Valparaiso | 2.27 | 39.2 | 7.7% | 33.5% | 9.2% | 1976 | $1,350 | 41.0% | 98.7% | 4.1% |
| Shalimar | 2.35 | 55.3 | 10.5% | 33.5% | 8.4% | 1984 | $1,914 | 46.2% | 97.1% | 1.1% |
| Cinco Bayou | 2.26 | 50.2 | 12.2% | 18.6% | 12.4% | 1981 | $1,668 | 48.4% | 95.1% | 3.3% |
| Ocean City | 2.21 | 39.1 | 11.5% | 40.2% | 15.3% | 1976 | $1,538 | 28.0% | 89.5% | 4.1% |
| Fort Walton Beach | 2.33 | 41.3 | 10.3% | 38.7% | 15.9% | 1976 | $1,554 | 33.0% | 90.1% | 3.5% |
| Wright | 2.55 | 36.2 | 16.1% | 46.3% | 7.7% | 1989 | $1,699 | 27.2% | 86.5% | 3.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Plymouth, IN · Horseheads, NY · Justin, TX · La Canada Flintridge, CA · La Crescenta-Montrose, CA · Lebanon, IN · Old Jamestown, MO · Ontario, OR · Pampa, TX · Paradise Valley, AZ
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Destin. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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