Santa Rosa County, Florida

Santa Rosa County, Florida
Santa Rosa County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Coordinates: 30°42′N 87°01′W / 30.7°N 87.02°W / 30.7; -87.02
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedFebruary 18, 1842
Named afterSaint Rose of Viterbo
SeatMilton
Largest communityNavarre
Area
 • Total
1,174 sq mi (3,040 km2)
 • Land1,012 sq mi (2,620 km2)
 • Water162 sq mi (420 km2)  13.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
188,000
 • Estimate 
(2023)
203,162
 • Density186/sq mi (71.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district1st
Websitewww.santarosa.fl.gov

Santa Rosa County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2020, its population was 188,000. The county seat is Milton, which lies in the geographic center of the county. Other major communities within Santa Rosa County are Navarre, Pace, and Gulf Breeze. Navarre is the most populated community with a population of approximately 45,000 residents. Santa Rosa County is included in the Pensacola metropolitan area, which also includes Escambia County.