Destin is a somewhat small coastal city (i.e. on the ocean, a bay, or inlet) located in the state of Florida. With a population of 14,119 people and six associated neighborhoods, Destin is the 179th largest community in Florida. Housing costs in Destin are among some of the highest in the nation, although real estate prices here don't compare to real estate prices in the most expensive communities in Florida.Unlike some cities where white-collar or blue-collar occupations dominate the local economy, Destin is neither predominantly one nor the other. Instead, it has a mixed workforce of both white- and blue-collar jobs. Overall, Destin is a city of sales and office workers, managers, and professionals. There are especially a lot of people living in Destin who work in sales jobs (16.38%), management occupations (14.44%), and food service (8.79%). There are quite a few people in the armed forces living in Destin, and when you visit or drive around town, you will see military people in and out of uniform, shopping, enjoying life, and being part of the community. Telecommuters are a relatively large percentage of the workforce: 13.21% of people work from home. While this number may seem small overall, as a fraction of the total workforce it is high relative to the nation. These workers are often telecommuters who work in knowledge-based, white-collar professions. For example, Silicon Valley has large numbers of people who telecommute. Other at-home workers may be self-employed people who operate small businesses out of their homes. Another notable thing is that Destin is a major vacation destination. Much of the city’s population is seasonal: many people own second homes and only live there part-time, during the vacation season. The effect on the local economy is that many of the businesses are dependent on tourist dollars, and may operate only during the high season. As the vacation season ends, Destin’s population drops significantly, such that year-round residents will notice that the city is a much quieter place to live. Destin is also nautical, which means that parts of it are somewhat historic and touch the ocean or tidal bodies of water, such as inlets and bays. Quite often, nautical areas such as these attract visitors and locals who come to enjoy the scenery and various waterfront activities. Destin is one of the most well-educated cities in the nation. 45.52% of adults in Destin have at least a bachelor's degree. Compare that to the average community in America, which has just 21.84% with a bachelor's degree or higher. The per capita income in Destin in 2022 was $58,082, which is wealthy relative to Florida and the nation. This equates to an annual income of $232,328 for a family of four. However, Destin contains both very wealthy and poor people as well. Destin is a somewhat ethnically-diverse city. The people who call Destin home describe themselves as belonging to a variety of racial and ethnic groups. The greatest number of Destin residents report their race to be White, followed by Black or African-American. Important ancestries of people in Destin include English, German, Irish, Italian, and European. The most common language spoken in Destin is English. Other important languages spoken here include Spanish and Portuguese.
