Report: Collier ranked worst county in Florida to raise a family

A study from FloridaRentals.com purporting to reveal the best counties in Florida to raise a family revealed a big gap in first to worst across the state — geographically and figuratively. The report will likely also sting many economic development personnel — and parents — in Naples. 

In the top spot was Okaloosa County in the far western part of the Panhandle, on the state line with Alabama. Cities in the county include Fort Walton Beach, Destin and Crestview, and the median income, according to U.S. Census data, was $73,988 in 2022.

Some 600 miles east and south of Okaloosa County lies Collier County — the home to Naples and the bottom-ranked county on the list. The median income is $82,011, and, notably, both the county and city of Naples show up regularly in national and global best of lists, including places to live, retire and vacation.