Quiet rural crossroads in northern Okaloosa County
Laurel Hill is a rural community in northern Okaloosa County that's spread out along State Road 85. The community's slow, countryside atmosphere means room for farming and privacy, but it sits close enough to Crestview and the Fort Walton Beach area for busier city conveniences, shopping and jobs along the Gulf Coast. The roughly 350 residents that call Laurel Hill home are a mix of military families, veterans and retirees thanks to the nearby Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field.
Modern ranch-style homes on spacious lots
Most homes in Laurel Hill are newly built contemporary ranch-style houses, typically between about 1,000 and 1,500 square feet and set on large lots that work well for keeping animals. These properties usually fall in the mid-$200,000s to mid-$300,000s range, making them an option for buyers who want rural space with more modern construction.“In this part of Okaloosa County, your budget stretches further than in neighboring areas on the Gulf,” says local real estate broker and NextHome Heroes Choice Realty owner, Tina Maples. "The beach is a short distance away, but you're not paying beachside prices."
Purple Star Schools in Okaloosa County
Okaloosa County offers school choice primarily through Controlled Open Enrollment, allowing families to apply to schools outside their attendance zone or from other Florida districts. Laurel Hill School serves pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and is a designated Purple Star School, highlighting support for military-connected families.
Laurel Hill parks, easy trips to Destin’s beaches
The wooded Evolution Airsoft Field is a favorite for paintball and weekend games, while the small Gene Clary Park has a shaded playground and occasionally doubles as a venue for small community gatherings. Destin’s beaches are an easy just-over-an-hour drive from Laurel Hill, when you feel like trading pasture views for white sand and clear green water. People head down to swim, sit in the sun, watch for dolphins and maybe try a boat ride or some fishing.
Small-town Laurel Hill staples, Crestview conveniences
Laurel Hill’s small-town dining scene centers around Laurel Hill Grill, a family-run spot serving country fried steak, sandwiches and other downhome classics. For quick stops and essentials, Family Dollar and Dollar General are also right in town.
For more variety, locals usually head about 18 miles south to Crestview, where they’ll find Publix and Winn-Dixie for groceries and Pounders Hawaiian Grill, known for Hawaiian favorites like Kalua pig and spam musubi.
U.S. 85 corridor between Crestview and the Alabama line
Most folks here rely on cars, since there’s no public transit in town. U.S. State Road 85 runs right through the community and connects residents to Crestview about 18 miles south, the Alabama border just to the north and the Fort Walton Beach area in roughly an hour, with North Okaloosa Medical Center in Crestview serving as the nearest hospital. The closest airport is Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport. Eglin Air Force Base is about 50 minutes away via State Road 85, and Hurlburt Field is just an over hour away on the same road.
Rainy Laurel Hill corner of the Florida Panhandle
Laurel Hill sees its fair share of wet weather, with rainfall totals that line up closely with the rest of Okaloosa County’s roughly 60 inches a year. Locals are used to pop-up showers and summer thunderstorms rolling through, keeping yards green, fields thriving and the landscape looking lush much of the year.
