Fort Walton Beach is in Okaloosa County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it has about 22,000 residents, a median age of 38 and a median household income of $62,000. The figures below compare it on the same terms as every city on this site, each with its source, so you can check them yourself.
Population and income from the U.S. Census · housing from public listing data
| PopulationU.S. Census | 22,000 |
|---|---|
| Median AgeU.S. Census | 38 |
| Median Household IncomeU.S. Census | $62,000 |
| Median Home PricePublic listing data | $370,000 |
| Average Rent (2BR)Public listing data | $1,700 / month |
| Cost of LivingBEA regional price parities | 1% above U.S. average |
| Summer Avg TempNOAA climate normals | 90°F |
| Winter Avg TempNOAA climate normals | 56°F |
| Commute to Nearest City CenterEstimated drive time | 10 minutes |
| Commute to Nearest BeachEstimated drive time | Close to beach |
| County | Okaloosa County |
| Flood riskFEMA flood maps | Check FEMA map ↗ |
| Unemployment 2024U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 3.1% |
| Cost of living 2024Bureau of Economic Analysis | 97 vs U.S. 100 |
3 areas people ask about in Fort Walton Beach
School zoning is set by address, not by city. Sources: Florida Department of Education and NCES for schools; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Bureau of Economic Analysis for wages and cost of living.
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The comparisons buyers most often raise, with the figures behind them.
Fort Walton Beach is much the smaller, 22,000 residents against 28,000. Expect to pay around $370,000 in Fort Walton Beach and $320,000 in Crestview at the median. Crestview skews younger, a median age of 33 against 38.
Read more about Crestview →Niceville is much the smaller, 16,000 residents against 22,000. Incomes run $85,000 in Niceville and $62,000 in Fort Walton Beach. Expect to pay around $420,000 in Niceville and $370,000 in Fort Walton Beach at the median.
Read more about Niceville →Expect to pay around $700,000 in Destin and $370,000 in Fort Walton Beach at the median. Destin is much the smaller, 14,000 residents against 22,000. If you rent before buying, budget $2,400 in Destin or $1,700 in Fort Walton Beach.
Read more about Destin →Incomes run $75,000 in Lynn Haven and $62,000 in Fort Walton Beach. If you rent before buying, budget $1,700 in Fort Walton Beach or $1,650 in Lynn Haven. Expect to pay around $370,000 in Fort Walton Beach and $360,000 in Lynn Haven at the median.
Read more about Lynn Haven →Checked against the published source, not estimated