Holmes County is situated in the Florida Panhandle and has a predominantly rural setting. With a population of around 20,000, it is one of the smaller counties in Florida. The county seat is Bonifay.
Established in 1848, Holmes County was named after Thomas J. Holmes, who came from North Carolina to settle in the area. The local economy is largely agricultural.
Holmes County faces risks from tornadoes and severe storms but is relatively less affected by hurricanes due to its inland location.