Destin, FL Rent To Own Homes

Rent-to-Own Homes in Destin, FL: What You Need to Know

Destin, Florida, is located in Okaloosa County along the Gulf of Mexico and is the largest city in the Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin, Florida, metropolitan area. Destin is known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, great dining, and excellent fishing on what is known as Florida's Emerald Coast. Millions of tourists visit Destin each year, but the city's permanent resident population is only around 14,000. 

Local History of Destin, FL

Early history shows that Spanish explorers came to Destin, and shipwrecks are still being discovered. The Destin we know is named for a fishing captain named Leonard Destin, who settled in the area in the 1840s. Captain Destin and his family continued to fish the area for decades, and Destin became a fishing village that is nicknamed the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village."

Destin has grown tremendously since its early days as a fishing village. It is now a major tourist destination. Condominiums and hotels were built in the 1970s, and growth has continued ever since. Destin became an incorporated city in 1984.

What is the Weather Like in Destin, FL?

Destin gets hot and uncomfortably humid. The average high in July is 90ºF. Even though this is very warm, it is actually cooler than many places in Florida. June, July, and August are the most humid months of the year. Winters are very mild, snowfall rarely occurs, and the average low in January is 40ºF. Destin does get hit by hurricanes on occasion. The city receives an average of 66 inches of rain each year, which is above the national average.

Are There Good Schools in Destin, FL?

There are not many schools in Destin since the city's population is quite small. There are five elementary schools and one middle school. There is no public high school, so high schoolers need to go to neighboring cities for school. There is a private Christian school that students can attend. All of the public schools in Destin have very high test scores and are rated as being high-performing.

Job Opportunities in Destin, FL

Destin was named as one of Forbe's Magazine's "Most Recession-Proof Cities." The largest employment industries in the city are trade and transportation, tourism and hospitality, and business services. L-3 Communications and DRS Training and Control Systems are two of the area's largest employers and employ over 1000 people with high-paying jobs. The average household income in Destin is $78,000, and the unemployment rate is only 4%.