City profile
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Okaloosa County · Population 21,025
Fort Walton Beach is a town in Okaloosa County, FL with about 21,025 residents and a typical home value near $322,000. It is 35 miles from Pensacola, FL, which shapes its climate, healthcare access and amenities.
Climate
Climate type
Warm & sunny
Winter avg
54°F
Summer avg
82°F
Sunny days / yr
225
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$321,800
Typical monthly housing
$1,981
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
98
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.87%
- State income tax (top)
- None
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Not taxed
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 7.00%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 93/100
Top hazards: Lightning, Hurricane, Tornado
Nearest major airport
34 mi to Pensacola International Airport (PNS)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 28% Democratic / 71% Republican
Community
Population
21,025
Black population
11.9%
County
Okaloosa County
Detailed crime figures are available for our 201 hand-researched cities.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home insurance is very expensive or hard to get here — get quotes before you buy
- ▸Home prices are softening in 2026 — more room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: hurricanes, flooding
Highlights
- About 21,025 residents
- Typical home value about $322,000
- 35 miles from Pensacola, FL
Trade-offs
- Scores for this place are estimated from Census data and the nearest major city
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.