Table 7. Median value ($) of housing units for sale in Northwest Florida in 

 1950, 1960, and 1970 (U.S. Department of Commerce 1961, 1971). 



County 1950 1960 1970 



Bay — 10,600 9,300 



Escambia 7,450 12,400 12,100 



Franklin — — — 

 Gulf 



Okaloosa — - 12,400 16,600 



Santa Rosa — -— 10,500 



Walton — — - 7,800 



Florida 7,996 13,300 14,400 



Table 8. Rental units as a percentage of all housing units in Northwest 

 Florida in 1970 (U.S. Department of Commerce 1971). 



County Percentage 



Bay 32 



Escambia 31 



Franklin 21 



Gulf 24 



Okaloosa 40 



Santa Rosa 28 



Walton 20 



Northwest Florida 32 



Florida 31 



Although the average percentage of rentals in Northwest Florida is about 

 the same as in the State as a whole, there are some differences in the type 

 and distribution of the units. In Northwest Florida counties, a greater pro- 

 portion of the rental units are along the beaches rather than in urban centers 

 and smaller communities. If this is correct, a potentially conflicting demand 

 between vacationers and temporary OCS oil and gas related workers for rental 

 housing could be expected. 



Rental Rates 



According to the Florida Statistical Abstract (Thompson et al. 1980), 

 rental rates in 1970 in most Northwest Florida counties were below the State 



66 



