Northwest Florida can be viewed as having four distinct population centers, including three federally-defined Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). The 13-county region is recognized as one of eight economic development regions within the State of Florida.
| Labor Shed | Population | Comparable to | |
| FGNW Region | 1,235,256 | Birmingham, AL Area | |
| Pensacola Region | 544,341 | Chattanooga, TN / Mobile, AL | |
| Ft. Walton Region | 309,534 | Roanoke, VA | |
| Panama City Region | 266,386 | Columbus, GA / Biloxi/Gulf Port, MS | |
| I-10 Corridor | 117,688 | Warner Robbins, GA / Valdosta, GA |
