Fort Walton Beach, FL

Full City Profile · Florida · Okaloosa County County

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
20,956 Population 2,743/sq mi density
$66,556 Median Income $37,973 per capita
$296,000 Home Value $322,045 Zillow
$1,268 Median Rent 32.3% income on rent
70°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.8 / 5.0
$66,556 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$296,000 home value, $1,268/mo rent
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.8% bachelor's degree or higher

Fort Walton Beach, FL

At a Glance

Median Income
$66,556
11% below
$37,973 per capita
Home Value
$296,000
5% above
Zillow: $322,045
Median Rent
$1,268/mo
9% above
32.3% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
27.8%
18% below
91.7% high school+
Unemployment
3.9%
8% above
9.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
32.0%
0% below
14.5% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
70°F

How Fort Walton Beach Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Fort Walton Beach's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
89%
Home Value
105%
Rent
109%
Poverty
75%
Bachelor's
82%
Unemployment
108%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Fort Walton Beach a Good Place to Live?

B+
3.7 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Fort Walton Beach residents earn a median household income of $66,556 , which is 11% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $37,973. The unemployment rate stands at 3.9% (8% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 7,597 business establishments, including 599 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Fort Walton Beach is $296,000 , 5% above the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $322,045. Median rent is $1,268/month, with 32.3% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 103.4 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1972.

Education

27.8% of adults in Fort Walton Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher (18% below the national average). 91.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Fort Walton Beach has an average annual temperature of 70°F (21°C). Winters average 54°F in January while summers reach 84°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.4 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population20,956
Median Age39.2 yrs
Density2,743/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born9.4%
Veterans16.9%

Economy

B+
Median Income$66,556
Per Capita$37,973
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty9.3%
County GDP$19,003M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,185

Housing

A
Home Value$296,000
Rent$1,268
Ownership59.7%
Zillow$322,045
Housing Units10,013
Rent Burden32.3%

Health

Obesity32.0%
Diabetes10.5%
Smoking14.5%
Heart Disease5.7%
Premature Death9,412/100K

Climate

Avg Temp70°F
Rain55.4 in/yr
Elevation14 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.8%
High School+91.7%
Graduate+9.3%
School Score6.5/10

Community

2024 VoteR 71% / D 28%
Commute22 min
Broadband87.1%
Internet Speed117 Mbps
EV Stations14
Libraries6

Did You Know?

Fort Walton Beach was founded in 1941.
The median home in Fort Walton Beach was built in 1972.
The nearest airport is Pensacola International (34 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.439 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Moderate" by FEMA.
16.1% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 117 Mbps.
There are 599 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 19 fatal vehicle crashes.