Fast-growing city 30 miles from Florida’s Emerald Coast
Okaloosa County is known for its beaches and military bases, but about 30 miles north of Fort Walton Beach is the fastest-growing city in the county, Crestview. The city grew up around the railroad lines first built at the end of the 19th century. Today, Crestview's affordability and proximity to Eglin Air Force Base are the biggest draws. Crestview is also the county seat. As more new housing developments pop up around the city's edges, Crestview is expanding to meet the population growth without becoming as densely packed as cities like Destin or as expensive as cities like Fort Walton Beach. Large shopping plazas and a Main Street business district full of locally owned shops sit along State Road 85, while residential areas branch east and west along Interstate 10 and U.S. Route 90. Though traffic in and out of the city is a problem for commuters, including those who work at military bases on the coast, the county is addressing this concern by building a new Crestview Bypass, which will be completed by 2026.
Okaloosa County is known for its beaches and military bases, Crestview is close to both.
Many Crestview residents commute to Duke Field for work.
1/2
Homes in Crestview sell below the national average
Affordable housing is one of Crestview's main draws. In December 2024, the median sale price was $315,000, about 10% below the national median. Though prices have been trending up over the last 10 years, "compared to every other area around here, you really do get more house for your money," says local Realtor and owner of NextHome Heroes Choice Realty, Tina Maples. These trends hold true for suburbs like Countryview Estates and Adams Powell East, where buyers can find New Traditional and ranch-style homes. Recently built townhomes in Eagles Landing cost closer to $250,000. Newly built homes in gated communities like Chanan Estates are the city's most expensive listings, with most ranging from $450,000 to $650,000.
Affordable housing is one of Crestview's main draws, it's the fastest growing city in the county.
New construction townhomes and single family home are going up all over Crestview.
1/2
Crestview High operates 16 career programs
Crestview is part of the Okaloosa County School District, which has an A-minus on Niche. The district's 39 schools serve about 29,500 students. Crestview is zoned for five elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school, all of which have high grades on Niche. Crestview High operates 16 specialized career programs, more than any other school in Okaloosa County.
Riverside Elementary in Crestview comes with high scores on NIche.
Richbourg Elementary students flourish in Crestview.
1/2
Spanish Trail Park hosts community events
Twin Hills and Spanish Trail Parks are Crestview's two main rec spaces. Youth sports leagues practice at Twin Hills, where facilities include football and soccer fields and an indoor basketball gym. In 2024, a state-of-the-art children's playscape and splash pad replaced the park's old playground. Spanish Trail Park has an adult softball complex and senior center right up the road. It also hosts community events throughout the year, from Saturday farmers markets to food truck festivals. The Yellow River has a designated paddling trail with two access points immediately west of Crestview. For more fun on the water, folks head about 35 miles south to Destin.
A state-of-the-art children's playscape replaced the park's old in Crestview.
Spanish Trail Park has an adult softball complex righ next to the Crestview Police Station.
1/2
A 'revamped downtown' and new restaurants on Ferdon Boulevard
Antique shops, clothing boutiques and a few hometown restaurants are behind brick and stucco storefronts along Main Street. "We've actually just revamped downtown," Maples says. "They created a large parking area, and now they're working on ways to make it more walkable." Though most local businesses are downtown, hot spots like Emerald Isle Seafood hide between big box stores on Ferdon Boulevard. "There's been quite a bit of commercial development on that road," Maples says. "Chilis, Chipotle and Texas Roadhouse are the newest additions." For more national retailers and restaurants, folks drive about 30 miles south to Destin Commons.
Infrastructure projects underway in 'Hub City'
Crestview is also known as "Hub City," with U.S. Highway 90, State Road 85 and Interstate 10 all running through it. "Traffic can get bad around three to five o'clock because everyone at the bases is getting off work at the same time, and there's only one way into Crestview from the south end." Okaloosa County is building a bypass to SR 85 and a new on-ramp to I-10, both expected to be complete by 2026. "Sometimes construction clogs up the roads, but it's for the best," says Crestview resident and local business owner David Hunt. SR 85 passes by North Okaloosa Medical Center at the city's south end. From here, Destin-Fort Walton Beach is fewer than 20 miles away. While most folks are car-dependent, the Emerald Coast Rider has a fixed-route bus that links Crestview to Fort Walton Beach.
Flooding is rare, but tornadoes are common in Crestview
Crestview is the rainiest part of Florida, receiving around 65 inches of annual rainfall. Still, Maples says, "Flooding isn't a problem here because of our higher elevation." The city is about 235 feet above sea level, one of Florida's highest elevations. While this higher elevation mitigates hurricane damage, it also makes Crestview more susceptible to tornadoes. In May 2024, a tornado swept through the city's north side, tearing down trees and damaging many homes.
Crime
Crime statistics for Crestview are limited. According to the Crestview Police Department’s most recent annual report, there were 22 violent crimes and 140 property crimes in 2021. However, this is a partial report, accounting for only 89 days of the year.
Written By
Ryan Horton
Photography Contributed By
Gabrielle Mazur
Video By
Michael Voyack
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Lorie Phillips,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Crestview, FL sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Crestview, FL over the last 12 months is $312,095, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 117 Jeff Drive, a well-maintained single-family home built in 2001, offering 1,107 square feet of living space on a spacious 0.26-acre lot. The home features permanently mounted hurricane shutters and energy-efficient double-pane windows for peace of mind, lower utility costs. and insurance rates! Inside, you'll find a cozy layout with tile and carpet flooring, a bright living room,
Seller is motivated and just wants a fair deal; bring your offer! Looking for the perfect starter home in South Crestview or one that has everything you need? This is it! The Kitchen and dinning area are joined by a breakfast bar, and flow seamlessly into the main living area. Beautiful wood-like hard surface flooring throughout and vinyl in the 2 full bathrooms for easy cleaning; no carpet here.
Meticulously maintained 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom all-brick home on a spacious 0.52 acre corner located in the highly desirable Carnegie Hills Phase 2. This thoughtfully upgraded property features a side-entry garage and a professionally added shingled carport designed to match the home ($13k upgrade).Inside, you'll find a flexible layout with both formal and informal living spaces. The dedicated
Welcome to Chanan Estates, one of Crestview's most sought-after gated communities! This beautiful 4-bedroom plus a bonus room home combines an open-concept layout with thoughtful updates inside and out. The most notable update includes a sparkling gunite pool added in 2020. Inside, the main living area features stylish shiplap accents, abundant natural light, and a seamless flow into the dining
Welcome to 2509 S. Lakeview Dr. A versatile 2-story, spacious and charming 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home set on 4.5 lots, livestock-friendly, private and full of potential home in North Crestview. With 2,098 sq ft, a two-car garage, and room to roam, this property offers rare versatility — whether you're dreaming of a mini-homestead, an income-producing investment, or a peaceful retreat. Inside,
Multi-Generational Living, Spacious Home, True MIL Suite! Endless Possibilities! Upstairs features a split floor plan with a large owner's suite off the kitchen, two bedrooms and bath off the living room, plus a dedicated office and formal dining. Enjoy a gas fireplace and stove, the double doors leading to an expansive deck with gas and water hookup, bring your hot tub or out door kitchen,
This fully furnished, move-in ready home makes settling in effortless, with every detail thoughtfully designed for comfort and style. Step inside to the sleek elegance of luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring that flows seamlessly throughout.At the heart of the home is a stunning kitchen featuring quartz countertops, a stylish tile backsplash, a spacious island with undermount sink, and stainless
Beautiful home nestled in the back of coveted Fox Valley, conveniently located in South Crestview. The home is at the end of a quiet, no-outlet road with limited traffic. The tall ceilings highlight the open concept in the heart of the home. The beautiful kitchen is a chef's dream with tons of counter space, granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances, and walk-in pantry. The dining room is
Move-in ready gem! This home features a fully fenced yard—perfect for your furry friends (pet restrictions apply; small to medium dogs preferred). Enjoy an open living room with easy access to the kitchen, creating a comfortable and functional layout. Plenty of natural light fills the home throughout. No carpet except in the closets, making for easy maintenance and a clean, modern feel.All
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
