Population 82,948 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Walton County
Household size in Walton County
| Period | Walton County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.25 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.46 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.41 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.16 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
Households in Walton County run small, averaging 2.41 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has climbed from 2.25 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the northeast.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Walton County
| Period | Walton County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.3 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 43.6 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.2 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.6 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.3 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
Walton County skews older: half of its residents are older than 44.6, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 42.3 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Walton County
| Period | Walton County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 10.6% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.7% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.7% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Walton County than nationally: 9.7%, against 11.6%. Compared with other Florida counties, Walton County has a lower share of single-parent households than most.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Walton County
Renters in Walton County
| Period | Walton County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.7% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.5% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.4% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.4% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Walton County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About four in ten owners (40.8%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 3.2 points, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Walton County
| Period | Walton County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 31.5% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 33.4% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 27.5% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.4% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −8.1 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Walton County: 23.4% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 8.1 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Walton County
| Period | Walton County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1991 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1992 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1996 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 2002 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Walton County is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 2002, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1991 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the east has the oldest housing. Only two of Florida's 67 counties have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Walton County
| Period | Walton County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $942 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,038 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,116 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,820 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$877 | +$724 | +$606 |
Rent in Walton County runs $1,820 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $877 a month since 2006–10, up 93%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 31.8% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the southeast; the most affordable are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Walton County
Bachelor's degrees in Walton County
| Period | Walton County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.4% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.3% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.5% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.0% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.6 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Walton County as nationally: 35.0% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.6 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the northeast.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Walton County
| Period | Walton County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.7% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.7% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.0% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.4% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.7 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Walton County is a bit above the national rate: 92.4% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 6.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Walton County
| Period | Walton County | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.6% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.2% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.7 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Walton County is close to the national rate: 5.2% of the labor force, against 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 2.7 points, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Walton County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walton County | 2.41 | 44.6 | 9.7% | 21.4% | 23.4% | 2002 | $1,820 | 35.0% | 92.4% | 5.2% |
| Okaloosa County | 2.55 | 38.8 | 12.1% | 31.6% | 11.1% | 1991 | $1,606 | 34.1% | 93.2% | 4.0% |
| Washington County | 2.47 | 41.1 | 12.3% | 20.0% | 15.5% | 1989 | $994 | 11.5% | 85.6% | 3.2% |
| Santa Rosa County | 2.70 | 40.8 | 9.2% | 19.4% | 8.7% | 1997 | $1,651 | 32.7% | 93.4% | 4.2% |
| Calhoun County | 2.52 | 43.8 | 12.3% | 21.2% | 18.5% | 1985 | $775 | 14.9% | 83.0% | 9.8% |
| Escambia County | 2.46 | 39.0 | 12.1% | 35.2% | 11.7% | 1984 | $1,378 | 29.3% | 90.9% | 5.9% |
| Baldwin County | 2.54 | 44.4 | 7.7% | 22.4% | 14.7% | 1998 | $1,374 | 33.6% | 91.9% | 3.3% |
| Gadsden County | 2.41 | 44.1 | 16.9% | 29.3% | 12.8% | 1980 | $950 | 22.7% | 81.7% | 5.3% |
| Leon County | 2.28 | 35.3 | 11.6% | 47.4% | 11.7% | 1991 | $1,361 | 50.1% | 93.4% | 6.6% |
| Mobile County | 2.59 | 38.8 | 14.2% | 34.0% | 12.3% | 1982 | $1,096 | 26.0% | 89.3% | 5.4% |
| Jefferson County | 2.47 | 46.5 | 12.9% | 24.1% | 15.9% | 1986 | $974 | 19.6% | 89.1% | 7.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Forrest County, MS · Tehama County, CA · Talladega County, AL · Sullivan County, NY · Grays Harbor County, WA · Grand Forks County, ND · Glynn County, GA · Franklin County, NC · Franklin County, MA · Toa Alta Municipio, PR
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Walton County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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