Walton Beaches
RANK #901 / 996 NAT · #32 / 41 FL · POP 76,618
1YR FORECAST: -2.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +12%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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.
The data is not encouraging — Walton County scores just 9/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #901 of 996 counties. Job growth at +2.5% and median household income of $74,832 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Walton County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $327,000 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.23 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,463/month on average.
Walton County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +4.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.5% clip. Home values shifted -4.1% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.5% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Walton County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.