Okaloosa County is 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 2020 census, the population was 211,668. Its county seat is Crestview. Okaloosa County is included in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.
| Name: | Okaloosa County |
|---|---|
| FIPS code: | 12-091 |
| State: | Florida |
| Founded: | September 7, 1915 |
| Seat: | Crestview |
| Largest city: | Crestview |
| Total Area: | 1,082 sq mi (2,800 km²) |
| Land Area: | 930 sq mi (2,400 km²) |
| Total Population: | 211,668 |
| Population Density: | 228/sq mi (88/km²) |
| Time zone: | UTC−6 (Central) |
| Summer Time Zone (DST): | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Website: | www.co.okaloosa.fl.us |
Okaloosa County location map. Where is Okaloosa County?
History
Okaloosa County was created by an act passed on September 7, 1915, formed from the eastern ranges of Santa Rosa County and the western ranges of Walton County.
Okaloosa is a Choctaw word meaning “black water”; oka means “water” and lusa means “black” in the Choctaw language.
Okaloosa County Road Map
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,082 square miles (2,800 km), of which 930 square miles (2,400 km) is land and 152 square miles (390 km) (14.0%) is water. 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
- Covington County, Alabama – north
- Walton County, Florida – east
- Santa Rosa County, Florida – west
- Escambia County, Alabama – northwest
National protected areas
- Choctawhatchee National Forest (part)
- Gulf Islands National Seashore (part)
State Parks and Forests
- Blackwater River State Forest: 189,594 acres (76,726 ha) spanning Okaloosa and neighboring Santa Rosa County.
- Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Recreation Area: 357 acres (144 ha) of sand pine forest along Choctawhatchee Bay. The park provides facilities for camping, hiking, fishing, and canoeing. It is located five miles (8 km) east of Niceville on State Road 20.
- Henderson Beach State Park: 1.3 miles (2.1 km) of sugar sand beach along the Gulf of Mexico. The park provides facilities for camping, RV-ing, and picnicking, as well as a pavilion and boardwalk. It is located just east of downtown Destin on U.S. 98.
Okaloosa County Topographic Map
Okaloosa County Satellite Map
Okaloosa County Outline Map
