Unemployment Rates in Emerald Coast Region, Florida — May 2026

Data: BLS LAUS  Updated: May 2026  • National rate: 4.3%

5.2%
Area Average
6.1%
Highest Rate
4.6%
Lowest Rate
4.3%
US National

Unemployment Snapshot: Emerald Coast Region — May 2026

Across 11 tracked locations in Emerald Coast Region, the average unemployment rate stands at 5.2% as of May 2026. This is 0.9 pp above the national average of 4.3%.

Highest Unemployment

  1. Washington County, FL — 6.1%
  2. Franklin County, FL — 5.7%
  3. Escambia County, FL — 5.3%

Lowest Unemployment

  1. Pensacola, FL — 4.6%
  2. Walton County, FL — 4.7%
  3. Okaloosa County, FL — 4.9%

Employment is broadly improving: 11 locations recorded a month-over-month decrease versus 0 that increased. Arrows indicate change from previous month.

Interactive Unemployment Heat Map: Emerald Coast Region Metro Area

Click or hover a location on the map to see unemployment details. Use the buttons in the table below to zoom to a specific area.

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Unemployment Rates for Selected Locations in Emerald Coast Region
Location Current
May 2026
Prev.
Month
6 Months
Ago
1 Year
Ago
Bay County, FL 5.1%5.5%4.2%3.4%
Escambia County, FL 5.3%5.5%4.6%3.8%
Franklin County, FL 5.7%5.8%5.1%3.8%
Gulf County, FL 5.2%5.5%4.2%3.6%
Holmes County, FL 5.3%5.6%4.6%3.8%
Okaloosa County, FL 4.9%5.0%4.1%3.3%
Panama City, FL 5.3%5.8%4.4%3.6%
Pensacola, FL 4.6%4.7%4.1%3.3%
Santa Rosa County, FL 5.1%5.3%4.4%3.6%
Walton County, FL 4.7%4.9%4.1%3.2%
Washington County, FL 6.1%6.3%5.2%4.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current unemployment rate in Emerald Coast Region?

As of May 2026, the average unemployment rate across 11 tracked locations in Emerald Coast Region is 5.2%. Individual locations range from 4.6% to 6.1%. Click any location on the map or table to explore sub-area data.

Which areas in Emerald Coast Region have the highest unemployment?

The three locations with the highest unemployment rates in Emerald Coast Region as of May 2026 are: Washington County (6.1%), Franklin County (5.7%), Escambia County (5.3%). These areas are highlighted in red/pink on the heat map.

Which areas have the lowest unemployment?

The lowest unemployment rates in Emerald Coast Region are found in: Pensacola (4.6%), Walton County (4.7%), Okaloosa County (4.9%). These locations appear in blue on the heat map.

How does Emerald Coast Region compare to the national unemployment rate?

The U.S. national unemployment rate for May 2026 is 4.3%. This is 0.9 pp above the national average of 4.3%.

How often is unemployment data updated?

Local area unemployment data is published monthly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, typically 3–4 weeks after the end of the reference month. This page reflects data released for May 2026. Figures may be subject to revision in subsequent releases.

Data Source & Methodology

Unemployment data on this page is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) program, part of the U.S. Department of Labor.

Program
Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)
Publisher
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor
Data Period
May 2026
Release Frequency
Monthly (typically 3–4 weeks after the reference month)
Geography
States, metropolitan areas, counties, and sub-county places
Methodology
LAUS uses a signal-extraction model at the state level derived from the Current Population Survey (CPS). Sub-state estimates for metropolitan areas, counties, and places are produced using complementary methods including input from the Current Employment Statistics (CES) program and unemployment insurance (UI) claims data.
Direct Links
BLS LAUS HomeLAUS Data TablesBLS Data Finder

Data is subject to revision. Figures reflect not seasonally adjusted rates unless otherwise noted. ZipDataMaps.com is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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