Fort Walton Beach, Florida Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Fort Walton Beach, Florida is 20,956 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 198th-largest city in Florida. The median household income is $66,556, the median home value is $296,000, and the median age is 39.2.
The population has grown 8.0% since 2010 (19,613 → 21,188).
20,956
Population
2743
People / sq mi
$66,556
Median Income
$296,000
Median Home Value
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Fort Walton Beach covers 7.6 sq mi of land at 2743 people per square mile.
About Fort Walton Beach, FL
Fort Walton Beach is distinguished by its share of foreign-born residents, 50.9% of the population. Fort Walton Beach is a city in Florida with a population of 20,956.
The typical household here earns about $66,556, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 9.3%, below the national 12.4%. Median home value is $296,000, with typical rent around $1,268.
Roughly 27.8% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. Just 7.8% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 22 minutes each way.
The large foreign-born share is a defining thread in Fort Walton Beach, shaping language, household composition, and the labor force behind the economic figures above.
Fort Walton Beach city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Fort Walton Beach city had a population of 19,613 in 2010 and 21,188 in 2024, a 8.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 22,521 in 2019. Average annual growth rate: 0.58%.
21,188
Population (2024)
19,613
Population (2010)
22,521
Peak (2019)
0.58%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 19,613 |
| 2011 | 19,779 |
| 2012 | 20,332 |
| 2013 | 20,519 |
| 2014 | 21,417 |
| 2015 | 21,672 |
| 2016 | 21,830 |
| 2017 | 22,048 |
| 2018 | 22,235 |
| 2019 | 22,521 |
| 2020 | 20,930 |
| 2021 | 20,948 |
| 2022 | 21,067 |
| 2023 | 21,055 |
| 2024 | 21,188 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 67.2% |
| Black or African American | 12.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.4% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$66,556
Median Household Income
$37,973
Per Capita Income
9.3%
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$296,000
Median Home Value
$1,268
Median Rent
59.7%
Owner-Occupied
Education
91.7%
High School+
27.8%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.4%
Drive Alone
78.0%
Public Transit
7.8%
Work From Home
21.9 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
50.9%
Foreign Born
85.8%
Non-English at Home
16.9%
Veterans
16.1%
With Disability
85.0%
Health Insurance
95.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 20.4% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 15.2% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 10.1% |
| Construction | 8.9% |
| Public Administration | 7.7% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 6.9% |
| Information | 6.8% |
| Retail Trade | 5.6% |
| Manufacturing | 5.1% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.6% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Fort Walton Beach, Florida has a population of 20,956 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 198th-largest city in Florida.
The median household income in Fort Walton Beach, Florida is $66,556, with 9.3% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Fort Walton Beach, Florida is $296,000, with median monthly rent at $1,268 and a homeownership rate of 59.7%.
The median age in Fort Walton Beach, Florida is 39.2 years. The population is 50.0% male and 50.0% female.
The population has grown 8.0% since 2010 (19,613 → 21,188).
Fort Walton Beach city, FL Climate
Fort Walton Beach city, FL has an average annual temperature of 19.6°C (67°F) and receives about 1616 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
19.6°C
Avg Temp
1616
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 11° / 51° | 130 mm |
| February | 12° / 53° | 127 mm |
| March | 16° / 60° | 154 mm |
| April | 19° / 66° | 96 mm |
| May | 23° / 73° | 113 mm |
| June | 26° / 79° | 167 mm |
| July | 28° / 82° | 197 mm |
| August | 27° / 81° | 174 mm |
| September | 26° / 78° | 152 mm |
| October | 21° / 69° | 93 mm |
| November | 16° / 60° | 106 mm |
| December | 12° / 54° | 107 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Fort Walton Beach city, FL
The most comfortable months to visit Fort Walton Beach city, FL are typically October, April and May, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 32°C high). The coldest is January (near 5°C low). July is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Fort Walton Beach
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.