Okaloosa County is located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, extending from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line. As of the 2020 census, the population was 211,668. Its county seat is Crestview. Okaloosa County is included in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area. History Okaloosa County was created by an act passed on September 7, 1915, formed from the eastern ranges of Santa Rosa County and the western ranges of Walton County. Okaloosa is a Choctaw word meaning "black water"; oka means "water" and lusa means "black" in the Choctaw language. Geography According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (14.0%) is water. Fort Walton Beach and three United States Air Force bases, (Duke Field in the North and Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field are in the south). Adjacent counties Covington County, Alabama - north Walton County, Florida - east Santa Rosa County, Florida - west Escambia County, Alabama - northwest National protected areas Choctawhatchee National Forest (part) Gulf Islands National Seashore (part) State Parks and Forests Blackwater River State Forest: spanning Okaloosa and neighboring Santa Rosa County. Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Recreation Area: of sand pine forest along Choctawhatchee Bay. The park provides facilities for camping, hiking, fishing, and canoeing. It is located east of Niceville on State Road 20. Henderson Beach State Park: of sugar sand beach along the Gulf of Mexico. The park provides facilities for camping, RV-ing, and picnicking, as well as a pavilion and boardwalk. It is located just east of downtown Destin on U.S. 98. Demographics As of the 2020 United States census, there were 211,668 people, 79,235 households, and 51,719 families residing in the county. As of 2015, there were 198,664 people and 95,494 households. As of the census of 2010,the population density was 194.4 people per square mile (70/km2). White alone=81.5% (July 1, 2015) Black or African American alone=10.2% (July 1, 2015) American Native and Alaskan Native alone=0.7% (July 1, 2015) Asian alone=3.2% (July 1, 2015) Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone=0.3% (July 1, 2015) Two or more races=4.1% (July 1, 2015) Hispanic or Latino=8.6% (July 1, 2015) As of 2015, there were 95,494 households. Within the 2010 census, 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female