Destin, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Destin, Florida had a total population of 14,077, the 274th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $89,011, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Destin Quick Facts
How Destin Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,018 | 14,077 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $89,141 | $89,011 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $455,100 | $490,300 | +7.7% |
How Destin Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Destin Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Okaloosa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestview | 28,773 | $65,480 | 11.2% | $277,900 |
| Wright | 27,927 | $70,195 | 16.7% | $306,100 |
| Fort Walton Beach | 21,025 | $68,538 | 13.3% | $321,800 |
| Niceville | 16,544 | $102,409 | 10.3% | $423,500 |
| Lake Lorraine | 6,903 | $104,105 | 6.6% | $434,500 |
| Ocean City | 5,941 | $59,039 | 9.2% | $303,900 |
| Valparaiso | 4,885 | $90,110 | 3.4% | $394,700 |
| Mary Esther | 4,061 | $76,890 | 6.3% | $298,900 |
| Hurlburt Field | 2,951 | $61,731 | 1.3% | N/A |
| Eglin AFB | 2,778 | $84,167 | 2.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Destin
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southchase | 13,981 | $92,431 | $388,800 | 34.3% | 11.9% |
| Miami Springs | 13,726 | $87,099 | $560,800 | 40.8% | 10.0% |
| Oldsmar | 14,904 | $88,333 | $380,300 | 37.4% | 8.6% |
| Pasadena Hills | 13,505 | $84,821 | $338,900 | 32.1% | 4.3% |
| North Palm Beach | 13,238 | $90,049 | $513,000 | 50.2% | 7.7% |
Population Overview
Destin is a small city located in Florida, within Okaloosa County. The total population is 14,077. It ranks as the 274th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Destin is 41.5 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Destin is $89,011. This is 19% higher than the state median of $74,568. It is also 10% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.4%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $490,300. Housing costs are 37% higher than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x. 69.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Destin is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.3% vs 50.4%). The Black or African American population (4.5%) is well below the state average of 14.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (7.8%) is well below the state average of 27.4%. The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.9%.
Education
46.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 35% higher than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.7%. Notably, 15.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Destin, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all Florida city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Destin, Florida?
Destin, Florida has a population of 14,077 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Destin, FL?
The median household income in Destin is $89,011, which is 10% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Destin, FL?
The poverty rate in Destin is 7.4%. This means approximately 1,032 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Destin, Florida?
Destin's population is 80.3% White, 4.5% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Destin, FL?
The median home value in Destin is $490,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.5x.
How educated is Destin, Florida?
46.2% of adults (25+) in Destin hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.