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CITY · 2010 ACS

Fort Walton Beach

Florida · 19,507 residents · 7.66 sq mi
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The short version

Fort Walton Beach has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $46,974. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $182,500. With a median age of 42.8, the population is older than the US median of 37.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 42.8
US median: 37.2
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 65%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,507
−2%since 2000
from 19,973 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,547 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 2,607 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
42.8
+11%since 2000
from 38.7 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K20K21K22K22K1990201020202024Fort Walton Beach
202421K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,974
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,153 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,762
+27%since 2000
from $21,085 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
25.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 24.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
10.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.418
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information15.5%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade14.2%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade5.7%
US avg: 10.9%
Other services5.5%
US avg: 7%
Finance & insurance4.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical4.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 3.1%
Public administration2.4%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 2.4%
Education & health services0.4%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$182,500
+65%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $87,300 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$873
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $586 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
38.7%
−25.3 ptssince 2000
from 64.1% in 2000
38.6% rent
Vacancy rate
9.3%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
34.5%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 29.9% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.4%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 41.2% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.9
+79%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Fort Walton Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic76.5%(15,274)
Black13.2%(2,641)
Hispanic / Latino4%(807)
Asian2.7%(533)
Other0%
Diversity Score43.7%(8,724)
2010
White, non-Hispanic73%(14,245)
Black11.9%(2,331)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(1,538)
Asian3.2%(618)
Other3.3%(644)
Diversity Score54.6%(10,646)
Diversity Score
55
+25%since 2000
from 44 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
21.7%
+0.3 ptssince 2000
from 21.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
90.1%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 89.0% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
7.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.4% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.0 min
+52%since 2000
from 13.2 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
74.8%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 78.1% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
14.3%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
5.8%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.6%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.8% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
1.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
6.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
6.4%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
27.0%
−32.8 ptssince 2009
from 59.8% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.2%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
Female
48.8%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.6% in 2009
Foreign born
9.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
20.2%
−27.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.5% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Fort Walton Beach

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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+49%
Home value$306,100+68%
Population27,927+32%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORT WALTON BEACH VS
Destin
Income$89,011+89%
Home value$490,300+169%
Population14,046−33%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORT WALTON BEACH VS
Niceville
Income$102,409+118%
Home value$423,500+132%
Population17,948−15%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FORT WALTON BEACH VS
Navarre
Income$105,265+124%
Home value$375,700+106%
Population39,838+89%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?

Fort Walton Beach, Florida has about 19,507 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Fort Walton Beach, Florida earns about $46,974 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 $182,500, and the typical rent is about $873 a month.

How educated are people in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?

About 21.7% 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 10.7% 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 1,961 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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

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