Living in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Fort Walton Beach · Census data 2020–2024
Fort Walton Beach has 21,025 residents with a median age of 39.1. The median household income is $68,538 (8% lower than the Florida median), the median home value is $321,800, the median rent is $1,307/month.
Fort Walton Beach at a glance
- Population
- 21,025
- Median age
- 39.1State: 42.6
- Median household income
- $68,538State: $74,568
- Median home value
- $321,800State: $359,000
- Median rent
- $1,307/moState: $1,669
- Homeowners
- 61.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 29.7%
- Average commute
- 23 min
Is Fort Walton Beach a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 10% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3.5%.
Cons: Median household income 8% lower than the Florida median; a poverty rate of 13.3%.
The weather is best in April–May and October–November.
Cost of living in Fort Walton Beach
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Fort Walton Beach the median home value is $321,800, 3% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,307 per month, which is 32.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,872 a month in housing costs.
Fort Walton Beach median household income
The median household income in Fort Walton Beach is $68,538 and the income per person is $37,937. 13.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Florida: 12.6%).
Housing in Fort Walton Beach: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 9,901
- Owner-occupied
- 61.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 38.2%
- Vacant
- 10.9%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1972
- Average household size
- 2.34
Fort Walton Beach demographics
- Population
- 21,025
- Median age
- 39.1
- Under 18
- 22.1%
- 65 and older
- 19.7%
- Households
- 8,817
- Foreign-born
- 9.4%
- Veterans
- 16.9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Fort Walton Beach ›
Education in Fort Walton Beach
29.7% of adults 25 and older in Fort Walton Beach have a bachelor's degree or higher (Florida: 34.1%), and 9.1% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Fort Walton Beach
- Unemployment rate
- 3.5%State: 4.8%
- Average commute
- 23 minState: 28 min
- Work from home
- 8.4%
- Drive alone
- 81.2%
- Public transit
- 0.4%
- Walk to work
- 1.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 87.7%
Fort Walton Beach vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Walton Beach | 21,025 | $68,538 | $321,800 | $1,307 |
| Cinco Bayou | 609 | $84,688 | $348,800 | $1,643 |
| Ocean City | 5,941 | $59,039 | $303,900 | $1,443 |
| Wright | 27,927 | $70,195 | $306,100 | $1,621 |
| Mary Esther | 4,061 | $76,890 | $298,900 | $1,699 |
| Shalimar | 885 | $115,417 | $476,500 | $2,551 |
| Lake Lorraine | 6,903 | $104,105 | $434,500 | $1,654 |
| Eglin AFB | 2,778 | $84,167 | — | $2,260 |
| Hurlburt Field | 2,951 | $61,731 | — | $2,151 |
More for people moving to Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Fort Walton Beach: FAQ
What is the median household income in Fort Walton Beach, FL?
The median household income in Fort Walton Beach is $68,538, 8% lower than the Florida median of $74,568 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Fort Walton Beach?
The median home value in Fort Walton Beach is $321,800, compared with $359,000 in Florida.
How much is rent in Fort Walton Beach?
The median gross rent in Fort Walton Beach is $1,307 per month, about 32.3% of household income.
Is Fort Walton Beach, FL a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 10% lower than the state median; an average commute of 23 minutes; unemployment of 3.5%. Minuses: median household income 8% lower than the Florida median; a poverty rate of 13.3%.
What is the median age in Fort Walton Beach?
The median age in Fort Walton Beach is 39.1 years (Florida: 42.6).
How long is the commute in Fort Walton Beach?
The average commute to work in Fort Walton Beach is 23 minutes; 8.4% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Fort Walton Beach?
The unemployment rate in Fort Walton Beach is 3.5% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Fort Walton Beach?
29.7% of adults in Fort Walton Beach have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
Last updated: