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Northwest
Bay • Calhoun • Escambia • Franklin • Gadsen • Gulf • Holmes • Jackson • Jefferson • Leon • Liberty • Okaloosa • Santa Rosa • Wakulla • Walton • Washington
Education
For the fifth consecutive year, personal finance website WalletHub.com has named Tallahassee among the top 20 most educated cities in America based on quality of education and educational attainment. Nearly half (48%) of Tallahassee residents over 25 have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Northwest Florida is home to three of Florida’s 12 public universities, all of which have earned at least one accolade in U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 college/university rankings. Florida State University and Florida A&M were recognized in the National Universities category at No. 55 and No. 202 respectively, while University of West Florida took the No. 35 position among Regional Universities South. Also worthy of celebrating, two grants for Florida A&M University: $30 million from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to support environmental science studies and $1.5 million from HCA Healthcare to fund scholarships aimed at attracting more undergraduates to careers in health care.
Life & Leisure
Where Life’s a Beach
It’s no wonder tourists flock to Florida’s Northwest, then put down roots. This narrow strip of land along the Gulf of Mexico is home to some of the prettiest beaches and bluest water on earth. Don’t miss these barrier island beauties: Henderson Beach, Grayton Beach and St. George Island State Park.
Love Water, but Hate Sand and Salt?
We have inland freshwater lakes too. One of them — an almost perfect circle — is newly reopened for the first time in six decades. Public swimming is allowed at Lake DeFuniak between March 1 and September 30.
So Much to See and Do
Pine forests, dozens of small towns with quirky names, Florida’s capital, the Blue Angels at work, five flags to admire in Pensacola and the dolphins at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park.
