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).
Where to stay in Fort Walton Beach
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.