Destin, Florida

Destin, Florida
City of Destin
View of Destin from the Destin Harbor
View of Destin from the Destin Harbor
Official seal of Destin, Florida
Nickname: 
"World's Luckiest Fishing Village"
Location in Okaloosa County and the state of Florida
Location in Okaloosa County and the state of Florida
Coordinates: 30°23′36″N 86°28′31″W / 30.39333°N 86.47528°W / 30.39333; -86.47528
CountryUnited States of America
StateFlorida
CountyOkaloosa
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • MayorBobby Wagner
 • City Council
Councilors:
  • Matthew Sweetser
  • Dewey Destin
  • Terésa Hebert
  • Johnny King
  • Kevin Schmidt
  • Jim Bagby
  • Torey Geile
 • City ManagerLance Johnson
 • City ClerkRey Bailey
Area
 • Total7.66 sq mi (19.83 km2)
 • Land7.49 sq mi (19.41 km2)
 • Water0.16 sq mi (0.42 km2)
Elevation
26 ft (8 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total13,931
 • Density1,859.20/sq mi (717.82/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
32540-32541
Area code850
FIPS code12-17325[2]
GNIS feature ID0281516[3]
Websitewww.cityofdestin.com
Map

Destin is a city located in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. It is a principal city of the Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 13,931 at the 2020 census, up from 12,305 at the 2010 census.

Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Destin is known for its white beaches and emerald green waters. Originating as a small fishing village, it is now a popular tourist destination. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, over 80 percent of the Emerald Coast's 4.5 million visitors each year visit Destin.[4] The city styles itself "The World's Luckiest Fishing Village"[5][6] and claims to have the largest fishing vessel fleet in the state of Florida.[7]

The city is located on a peninsula separating the Gulf of Mexico from Choctawhatchee Bay. The peninsula was originally a barrier island. Hurricanes and sea level changes gradually connected it to the mainland. In the 1940s, it technically became an island again with the completion of the Choctawhatchee-West Bay Canal.

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  2. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  4. ^ "Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail Segments & Information - Segment 2 - Santa Rosa Sound/Emerald Coast". Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Archived from the original on July 31, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
  5. ^ Goggin, Emma, "Destin Is Still Luckiest Fishing Village Around", Playground Daily News, Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Wednesday 19 March 1975, Volume 30, Number 35, page 2C.
  6. ^ "World's Luckiest Fishing Village". Destin Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved November 26, 2007.
  7. ^ "Welcome to the City of Destin!". City of Destin. Archived from the original on January 16, 2008. Retrieved November 26, 2007.