Northwest Florida can be viewed as having four distinct population centers, including three federally-defined Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs). The 12-county region is recognized as one of eight economic development regions within the State of Florida.
| Labor Shed | Population | Comparable to | |
| FGNW Region | 1,179,000 | Birmingham, AL Area | |
| Pensacola Region | 516,000 | Chattanooga, TN / Mobile, AL | |
| Ft. Walton Region | 293,000 | Roanoke, VA | |
| Panama City Region | 179,200 | Columbus, GA / Biloxi/Gulf Port, MS | |
| I-10 Corridor | 58,800 | Warner Robbins, GA / Valdosta, GA | |
| Capital Region | 386,860 | Shreveport/Bossier City, LA |
