Rural Westville offers a quiet life along the Choctawhatchee River
Westville is a rural community in Holmes County along the Choctawhatchee River. The area includes a small town, farmlands and acres of woodlands. Some residents live on enough land to keep livestock or hunt throughout the year. Westville is surrounded by creeks and springs that are popular spots for boating and other outdoor activities. Locals usually go to nearby areas, like Defuniak Springs for shopping and restaurants.
Westville's housing options, land usage and pricing
Westville has brick ranch-style houses, manufactured homes and custom-built cottages. Several houses use septic systems and come with outbuildings, such as barns, sheds and greenhouses. Most listings are land plots ranging from one acre to more than 100 acres. It's common for locals to homestead, farm and raise livestock. Undeveloped lots are usually pine forests, which homeowners either harvest or use for hunting.
Westville's median sale price is in the mid $200,000s, which is higher than Caryville and Bonifay but lower than Panama City. Land can sell between $3,000 to over $12,000 per acre.
Where locals head for outdoor recreation
The Choctawhatchee River Water Management Area sits on the eastern side of the community, where Holmes Creek offers excellent fishing for those with a Florida fishing license. Locals also visit the management area for seasonal hunting and birding. Kayakers and canoers follow the Choctawhatchee River Blueway, a paddling trail that goes past camping sites and boat launches. The Ponce de Leon Springs State Park, located south of the community, has crystal-clear waters popular for swimming, snorkeling and fishing. But there are also numerous smaller springs in the area. Towns in Holmes County host a variety of annual events throughout the year. The countywide gatherings include:
- The Collard Festival, held in October in Ponce de Leon
- The Bad Cat Classic, an autumn competition in Caryville
- Down Home Street Festival, a March event in Bonifay
- Northwest Florida Championship Rodeo, held in October in Bonifay
Places to shop and dine near Westville
Westville only has a few local businesses, including Westville Country Store and Westville Meats. There is a new DG Market on Highway 181.
Residents visit nearby towns to shop at larger stores. There's a Grocery Outlet in Bonifay, as well as a Winn-Dixie and a Walmart Supercenter in Defuniak Springs. Locals also head to nearby areas to dine out. A few popular locations include:
- Panhandle Organics Café, in Ponce De Leon
- Donutland Express, in Bonifay
- Castaway Seafood Restaurant, in Bonifay
- Café Nola, in Defuniak Springs
Traveling to nearby communities
Although the town spans about 7 square miles, homes over 20 miles away can have a Westville address. There are several highways running through the large area, and commutes can vary. Locals usually drive to surrounding counties along U.S. 90 and Interstate 10. State Road 81 intersects both routes in Ponce De Leon, then continues for about 20 miles to the Florida-Alabama state line. Bonifay and the nearest hospital, Doctors Memorial Hospital, are about 11 miles outside the community. DeFuniak Springs sits roughly 18 miles west.
Schools zoned for Westville
Most of Westville is zoned for the Bonifay K-8 School and Holmes County High School. The schools are next to each other in nearby Bonifay, about 11 miles from the center of town. The high school provides dual enrollment courses through Chipola College. The district offers Controlled Open Enrollment, allowing students to attend out-of-zone locations, such as the highly rated Poplar Springs High School.
Important weather information
Parts of Westville lie in the Choctawhatchee River's floodplain and can flood when the water level rises. The region has also experienced hurricanes and tornadoes. Residents can find weather updates and alerts on the county's Emergency Management Division's official Facebook page.
Written By
Ashley Kennedy