Fort Walton Beach, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Walton Beach, Florida had a total population of 21,025, the 198th largest city in Florida, with a median household income of $68,538, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Fort Walton Beach Quick Facts
How Fort Walton Beach Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 20,956 | 21,025 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $66,556 | $68,538 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $296,000 | $321,800 | +8.7% |
How Fort Walton Beach Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fort Walton Beach Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Okaloosa County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestview | 28,773 | $65,480 | 11.2% | $277,900 |
| Wright | 27,927 | $70,195 | 16.7% | $306,100 |
| Niceville | 16,544 | $102,409 | 10.3% | $423,500 |
| Destin | 14,077 | $89,011 | 7.4% | $490,300 |
| Lake Lorraine | 6,903 | $104,105 | 6.6% | $434,500 |
| Ocean City | 5,941 | $59,039 | 9.2% | $303,900 |
| Valparaiso | 4,885 | $90,110 | 3.4% | $394,700 |
| Mary Esther | 4,061 | $76,890 | 6.3% | $298,900 |
| Hurlburt Field | 2,951 | $61,731 | 1.3% | N/A |
| Eglin AFB | 2,778 | $84,167 | 2.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Fort Walton Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Ridge | 20,889 | $66,625 | $287,900 | 28.5% | 11.3% |
| Bartow | 20,438 | $68,178 | $234,100 | 22.8% | 18.1% |
| Englewood | 20,091 | $69,222 | $339,900 | 33.9% | 8.5% |
| Ojus | 19,198 | $68,644 | $337,500 | 42.2% | 12.5% |
| Tavares | 20,463 | $58,886 | $254,500 | 25.9% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Fort Walton Beach is a small city located in Florida, within Okaloosa County. The total population is 21,025. It ranks as the 198th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Walton Beach is 39.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Walton Beach is $68,538. This is 8% lower than the state median of $74,568. It is also 15% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.3%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $321,800. Housing costs are 10% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 61.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Walton Beach is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (13.1%) is well below the state average of 27.4%.
Education
29.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Walton Beach, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fort Walton Beach, Florida?
Fort Walton Beach, Florida has a population of 21,025 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Walton Beach, FL?
The median household income in Fort Walton Beach is $68,538, which is 15% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Walton Beach, FL?
The poverty rate in Fort Walton Beach is 13.3%. This means approximately 2,742 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Walton Beach, Florida?
Fort Walton Beach's population is 64.0% White, 11.6% Black, 13.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Walton Beach, FL?
The median home value in Fort Walton Beach is $321,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Fort Walton Beach, Florida?
29.6% of adults (25+) in Fort Walton Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.