RANK #988 / 996 · POP 76,618 · FL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -5.1%
Walton County, Florida, is distinguished by its rare coastal dune lakes, a geographical feature found in only a few places globally, offering unique ecosystems where fresh and saltwater intermix. Located in the Florida Panhandle, the county stretches from the Alabama border to the Gulf of Mexico, encompassing diverse landscapes from the historic town of DeFuniak Springs, known for its nearly perfectly round spring-fed lake, to the scenic coastal communities along Highway 30A like Seaside and Grayton Beach. Commuting within the county is facilitated by a public transit service, GoWal, connecting the northern and southern parts of the county, though services were temporarily suspended for redesign as of early 2023. The area offers extensive outdoor recreation, including 26 miles of white-sand beaches, state parks like Topsail Hill Preserve and Grayton Beach, and trails for hiking and biking.
Life in Walton County offers a blend of coastal living and small-town charm, attracting families, retirees, and remote workers. The Walton County School District is recognized for its academic performance. The economy is largely driven by tourism, with significant visitor spending supporting local businesses, restaurants, and cultural attractions year-round. This economic activity also contributes to public safety initiatives and infrastructure enhancements, including beach access and parking. Beyond tourism, the county's economic development efforts aim to diversify and attract new investments, fostering job creation.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Pecan Tree Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant
NextEra Energy / Florida Power & Light Co.
|
$74M | Operating |
|
Wild Quail Solar Energy Center
Florida Power & Light Co.
|
$74M | Operating |
|
Chautauqua Solar Energy Center
Unknown
|
$74M | Operating |
|
Swallowtail Solar Energy Center
Unknown
|
$74M | Operating |
|
Hardwood Hammock Solar Energy Center
Florida Power & Light Co.
|
$74M | Planned |
|
Walton County Broadband Project (Fixed Wireless Network)
SOM1101, LLC / WildStar Networks
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Walton County has a Boom Town Index score of 1/100, ranking #988 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.5% and a median household income of $74,832, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Walton County is $327,000 with median rent at $1,463/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2288, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +4.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.5%. Home values changed -4.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.5% of Walton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.