1st Advantage MortgageThe median Walton County household earns $81,986, and 12% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Florida before sharing details.
On this page
- Walton County at a glance
- Walton County housing compared with Florida
- Household income in Walton County
- Employment and commuting in Walton County
- Counties near Walton County
- Walton County towns compared
- What a median Walton County budget can carry
- What the numbers mean for Walton County borrowers
- People and households in Walton County
- Four steps for Walton County borrowers
- Florida rules that apply in Walton County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Walton County at a glance
With an estimated 82,948 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Walton County ranks 38th of 67 in Florida for population. Land area is 1,038 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 80 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (3 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Miramar Beach, with about 8,902 residents, or 11% of the county.
Walton County housing compared with Florida
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,741 in Walton County versus $1,669 statewide. By the Census definition, 56% of Walton County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $425,100, about 5.2 times the median household income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 2001.
| Home costs | Walton County | Florida | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,741/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $425,100 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 35% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Household income in Walton County
Walton County households have a median income of $81,986 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 12th of 67 in Florida.
| Band | Walton County | Compared with Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.8% | -3.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.5% | -0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.8% | +0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 14.9% | +3.9 pts |
The spread is wide: 41% of Walton County households make $100,000 or more, and 19% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 12.5%, the same as the state's 12.6%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Walton County
By the Census industry count, 16% of employed Walton County residents work in professional and administrative services and 14% in education and health care. Public administration stands out: 7% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 22% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Walton County workers | vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Professional and administrative services | 16.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.0% | -7.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 12.3% | +1.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +0.2 pts |
| Construction | 10.0% | +1.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.8% | +0.7 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Counties near Walton County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Walton County's, from 26 to 49 miles away. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Walton County; Okaloosa County is highest at $81,998 and Holmes County lowest at $49,343. The list crosses into Alabama, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walton County | - | $81,986 | $1,741/mo | 79% |
| Okaloosa County, FL | 26 mi | $81,998 | $1,612/mo | 68% |
| Holmes County, FL | 29 mi | $49,343 | $844/mo | 76% |
| Washington County, FL | 30 mi | $58,210 | $888/mo | 80% |
| Geneva County, AL | 41 mi | $52,771 | $784/mo | 78% |
| Bay County, FL | 47 mi | $73,533 | $1,484/mo | 67% |
| Covington County, AL | 49 mi | $52,456 | $746/mo | 76% |
Walton County towns compared
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Walton County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 22,809 people, so roughly 73% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $103,250 at the median in Miramar Beach, $54,512 in DeFuniak Springs. No Walton County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miramar Beach | CDP | 8,902 | $103,250 | $2,250 | 17 mi |
| Freeport | city | 6,689 | $91,985 | $1,859 | 5 mi |
| DeFuniak Springs | city | 6,532 | $54,512 | $1,024 | 10 mi |
| Paxton | town | 686 | $61,136 | $860 | 29 mi |
What a median Walton County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Walton County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Walton County: $6,832
- Rent at the median, $1,741, takes 25% of that
- $719: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
What the numbers mean for Walton County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Walton County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 15% of Walton County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Vehicle repairs. 22% of Walton County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 12% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Consolidation math. With 41% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
People and households in Walton County
Degree holders: 35% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 14.7%, against 11.5% for Florida.
| Walton County | Florida | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 35.0% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.9% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.7% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.5% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 16.3% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.5% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Walton County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.3% |
| 60+ min | 11.3% |
Four steps for Walton County borrowers
Steps that save money for Walton County residents:
- Price the Walton County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Florida rules that apply in Walton County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Walton County, check the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Florida: Florida personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Florida guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Walton County?
$81,986 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,568 for Florida. It ranks 12th of 67 in the state.
Is Walton County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $1,741 against $1,669 statewide, and 56% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Walton County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 79% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Miramar Beach?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Walton County, such as Freeport, DeFuniak Springs, Paxton.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Walton County or elsewhere in Florida, the same rules apply.