Caryville is a rural countryside community
Home to just over 300 residents, Caryville is a small town in Washington County surrounded by farmland, timber tracts and plenty of local wildlife. The Choctawhatchee River runs nearby, supporting the area’s long history of timber and agriculture and giving the landscape a distinct countryside feel.
Housing in Caryville
Housing in this area is mostly a mix of manufactured homes and ranch-style houses, often set on large lots with plenty of land, which appeals to buyers looking for more space and privacy. “Our RV Park is thriving now,” says Betty Scott, Town Clerk of Caryville. “We’re happy to see the housing market flourish now because there was a time in 1994 where we almost got wiped out. There’s an effort to bring Caryville back to its original glory and we’re making great strides at that through grants and development.” Most prices here tend to fall between the low $100,000s and the mid $400,000s, though there are a few exceptions, including large undeveloped pieces that sometimes span hundreds of acres and reach upwards of $1 million.
Controlled open enrollment in Washington County
Students in Caryville are served by the Washington County School District. The district offers controlled open enrollment, magnet programs or transfer requests within the district depending on availability and rules.
The Choctawhatchee River offers boating opportunities
Locals in the area spend a lot of time outside, often launching boats on the Choctawhatchee River from the nearby public boat ramp. The Caryville Community Center is a main gathering spot, hosting ball games, community events and holiday celebrations with food and toy drives for local families. “We’ve had Christmas parties where we handed out more than 200 bags of food and over 150 toys to children—it was really special,” says Scott, who helped organize the toy drive with Santa. For a change of scenery, many head to Ponce De Leon Springs State Park, which features crystal-clear spring water for swimming, natural springs and wooded walking trails.
The Morrison Springs County Park offers another natural spring about 13 miles from Caryville, spanning roughly 161 acres and drawing visitors for its clear water, swimming area and freshwater diving.
Dining and groceries in Bonifay
Shopping and dining are pretty limited in Caryville. Residents usually run errands in nearby Bonifay, where they’ll find grocery options like Piggly Wiggly and Grocery Outlet, plus a few local favorites for meals out, including:
- Cancun’s Mexican Grill
- M&W Smokehouse, a barbecue spot known for its brisket and friendly service
- Castaway Seafood
Connecting to larger Florida cities
Most people in this area rely on cars, since there’s no public transportation in Caryville. Highway 90 runs through the region, and Interstate 10 connects Caryville to larger cities like Tallahassee and Pensacola. For medical needs, residents typically head to Doctors Memorial Hospital in Bonifay, which is the closest full-service hospital. Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) in Panama City is about 30 miles away.