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is a city in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States. Crestview’s name was chosen because of its location on the peak of a long woodland range between the Yellow and Shoal rivers which flow almost parallel on the east and west side of the City.
It is the county seat of Okaloosa County. With an elevation of 235 feet above sea level, it is one of the highest points in the state; it receives 65 inches of rainfall annually, the most of any city in the state of Florida, next to Fort Walton Beach with 69 inches. The town was once known as "the Icebox of Florida", due to it having the coldest winters in the state. Today it goes by a more popular nickname as the "Hub City" of Northwest Florida. According to the U.S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 17,707; though by 2008 that number grew to over 22,000, with 82,500 residents living in the immediate area. Crestview is one of Florida's fastest growing cities, residential developments, shopping, and land area to grow. It has, as of July 2007, become the largest city in Okaloosa County. This has not yet been verified by the US Census because figures for 2007 have not yet been published. (www.factfinder.census.gov). In 2007, Mayor Whitehurst, who had been mayor for nearly 20 years, resigned, leading to the inauguration of David Cadle. Cadle had a base of support from parents and former students who had firsthand knowledge of his leadership skills, as he had just retired from directorship of the Big Red Machine, the local high school's band.
Crestview is a principal city of the Fort Walton Beach–Crestview–Destin Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Crestview's climate is officially described as humid subtropical, with hot, humid summers, and cool to cold winters. In summer, Crestview has some of the hottest temperatures in the state, with an average summer high of 92°F (33°C). Lows in summer average in the high 60s to low 70s, with each year seeing a handful of 100°F+ days. The all-time record high is 109°F (42°C), recorded on July 10, 1996.
Winters compare to those of interior Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. Highs average in the lower to mid 60s (16°-19°C), and lows average upper 30s (almost 4°C). The all-time record low is -1°F (-21°C), on February 13, 1899. Snowfall occurs every three years on average, however, significant amounts only happen once every 10 years. On Christmas Eve of 1989, Crestview received over 3 inches of snow.
Vegetation here consists of typical Floridian vegetation as well as several deciduous species from further north. Some palm trees are found here, although only hardy ones, as well as types of dogwood, maple, hickory, and sweetgum. Some fall follage can be seen in November and December, and Spring blossoms occur from early March through May. Summer roughly lasts from early June to early September, and winter lasts from mid-December through mid-February.