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CITY · 2000 CENSUS

Fort Walton Beach

Florida · 19,973 residents · 7.66 sq mi
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The short version

Fort Walton Beach has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $40,153. Population has declined 7% since 1990. Median home value is $87,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 38.7
US median: 35.2
Average education
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,973
−7%since 1990
from 21,468 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,607 / sq mi
−7%since 1990
from 2,803 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
38.7
+16%since 1990
from 33.5 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K20K21K22K22K1990201020202024Fort Walton Beach
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,153
+8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $28,324 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$21,085
+54%since 1990
from $13,690 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
9.9%
−0.3 ptssince 1990
from 10.2% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$87,300
+2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $64,800 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$586
+3%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $430 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
64.1%
+3.4 ptssince 1990
from 60.7% in 1990
35.9% rent
Afford Score
2.2
−5%since 1990
from 2.3 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fort Walton Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic81.8%(17,557)
Black14%(3,003)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(535)
Asian2.9%(628)
Diversity Score42.9%(9,207)
2000
White, non-Hispanic76.5%(15,274)
Black13.2%(2,641)
Hispanic / Latino4%(807)
Asian2.7%(533)
Diversity Score43.7%(8,724)
Diversity Score
44
+2%since 1990
from 43 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.3%
−0.1 ptssince 1990
from 21.4% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
89.0%
+3.1 ptssince 1990
from 85.9% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
7.4%
−0.4 ptssince 1990
from 7.8% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.2 min
−15%since 1990
from 15.5 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Fort Walton Beach

Florida Ridge
Pop 20,889
Englewood
Pop 20,091
Ojus
Pop 19,198
Bartow
Pop 23,617
Places similar to Fort Walton Beach
Head to head

Compare Fort Walton Beach to nearby cities

FORT WALTON BEACH VS
Wright
Income$70,195+75%
Home value$306,100+251%
Population27,927+32%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORT WALTON BEACH VS
Destin
Income$89,011+122%
Home value$490,300+462%
Population14,046−33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORT WALTON BEACH VS
Niceville
Income$102,409+155%
Home value$423,500+385%
Population17,948−15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORT WALTON BEACH VS
Navarre
Income$105,265+162%
Home value$375,700+330%
Population39,838+89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?

Fort Walton Beach, Florida has about 19,973 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?

The typical household in Fort Walton Beach, Florida earns about $40,153 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Fort Walton Beach, Florida expensive?

In Fort Walton Beach, Florida, the median home is worth about $87,300, and the typical rent is about $586 a month.

How educated are people in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?

About 21.3% of adults age 25 and over in Fort Walton Beach, Florida hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?

About 9.9% of people in Fort Walton Beach, Florida live below the federal poverty line.

Has Fort Walton Beach, Florida grown since 1990?

Yes, Fort Walton Beach, Florida has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,495 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →