Walton County, Florida: commercial real estate data.
Walton County, Florida had an estimated 89,666 residents on July 1, 2024, up 19.1 percent since the 2020 census base of 75,309, across 1,038 square miles. County output reached $6.43 bn in 2024, 3,348 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 153 7(a) approvals worth $93.9 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Walton County
How many people live in Walton County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202482,948
- Households34,362
- Average household size2.41
- Median household income$81,986
- Median age43.9
- Median gross rent$1,741 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$425,100
- Home value to household income5.2 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income25.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher35.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree12.7 percent
- Adults 25 and over60,359
- Population under 1817,350
- Share under 1820.9 percent
- Population 65 and over16,658
- Share 65 and over20.1 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6448,940
- Civilian labor force39,845
- Unemployment rate4.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over60.7 percent
- Rank by population among Florida counties38th of 67
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included709th of 3,222
Walton County is the 38th largest of 67 Florida counties by population. A median home costs 5.2 times median household income, which is severely unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 20.9 percent against 20.1 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Walton County
Is Walton County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202489,666
- Census 2020 base population75,309
- Population change since the 2020 census base19.06 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20243,328
- Births, 2024977
- Deaths, 2024867
- Natural change, 2024110
- Net domestic migration, 20242,881
- Net international migration, 2024356
- Total net migration, 20243,237
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 202412,728
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents21st of 3,144
The county has grown 19.06 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Walton County
Where are people moving to Walton County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving4,056
- People arriving, from those returns7,744
- Tax returns filed by households leaving2,891
- Net household movement1,165
- Adjusted gross income arriving$926.5 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$522.5 m
- Average income of an arriving household$228,435
- Average income of a leaving household$139,738
- Largest single originOkaloosa County (808 households)
- Largest single destinationOkaloosa County (561 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Okaloosa County | 808 | 1,449 | $63.5 m |
| Bay County | 184 | 321 | $18.2 m |
| Santa Rosa County | 72 | 124 | $5.8 m |
| Fulton County | 70 | 138 | $39.9 m |
| Holmes County | 66 | 136 | $3.3 m |
| Escambia County | 62 | 97 | $4.5 m |
| Leon County | 55 | 77 | $5.3 m |
| Jefferson County | 40 | 79 | $19.0 m |
Households arriving report $88,697 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Okaloosa County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Walton County
What is the Walton County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$6.43 bn
- County GDP, 2023$5.90 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20249.0 percent
- GDP change over five years69.1 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Florida areas BEA publishes36th of 67
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes617th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$77,522
Output grew 9.0 percent in the latest year and 69.1 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Walton County
Employment by industry in Walton County
- Covered employment, annual average34,785
- Establishments reporting4,125
- Average annual pay$56,144
- Average weekly wage$1,080
- Accommodation and food services, employment8,081
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$39,010
- Retail trade, employment5,404
- Retail trade, average annual pay$37,670
- Construction, employment3,702
- Construction, average annual pay$63,723
- Health care and social assistance, employment2,462
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$67,958
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment2,139
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment1,947
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and food services | 8,081 | 402 | $39,010 |
| Retail trade | 5,404 | 493 | $37,670 |
| Construction | 3,702 | 577 | $63,723 |
| Health care and social assistance | 2,462 | 239 | $67,958 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 2,139 | 565 | $87,388 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 1,947 | 292 | $56,435 |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 1,908 | 520 | $58,994 |
| Other services, except public administration | 1,127 | 226 | $43,086 |
Accommodation and food services is the largest private sector at 8,081 jobs, 23.2 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Walton County
How many businesses are in Walton County?
- Establishments, all industries3,348
- Employment at those establishments26,994
- Annual payroll$1.36 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents40.4
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Walton County
Building permits in Walton County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20242,883
- Declared construction value permitted$1.25 bn
- Single family units authorized1,549
- Multifamily units authorized1,334
- Multifamily share of units46.3 percent
- Average declared value per unit$435,058
- Units authorized per 1,000 households83.9
Multifamily is 46.3 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Walton County
SBA loans in Walton County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded153
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$93.9 m
- Average 7(a) approval$613,712
- Median 7(a) approval$350,000
- 10th percentile approval$50,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,343,040
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)2,258
- Jobs per approval14.8
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active47
- Distinct industries receiving approvals83
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer13.1 percent
- Loans on real estate terms20
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter125
- Franchise loans17
- Franchise share of approvals11.1 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (18)
- Most active lenderHancock Whitney Bank (18)
- 504 approvals recorded66
- 504 gross approval dollars$54.2 m
- Average 504 approval$820,924
- Median 504 approval$537,000
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval6.2
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved7.5
- Most active CDCFlorida Business Development Corporation (39)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$148.1 m
The average approval of $613,712 sits well above the median of $350,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 13.1 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Walton County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Walton County
Do SBA loans in Walton County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded34
- Paid in full34
- Charged off0
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans0.0 percent
- Status: Paid in full34
- Status: Cancelled28
- Status: Exempt from disclosure84
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed7
Of the 34 loans that have reached a final outcome, 0.0 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Walton County
SBA lending by place in Walton County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending8
- Santa Rosa Beach, approvals71
- Miramar Beach, approvals24
- Freeport, approvals22
- Inlet Beach, approvals18
- DeFuniak Springs, approvals15
- Rosemary Beach, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa Beach | 71 | $39,454,800 |
| Miramar Beach | 24 | $15,575,700 |
| Freeport | 22 | $17,177,100 |
| Inlet Beach | 18 | $12,404,200 |
| DeFuniak Springs | 15 | $7,411,100 |
| Rosemary Beach | 1 | $940,000 |
| Crestview | 1 | $545,000 |
| San Rose Beach | 1 | $390,000 |
Santa Rosa Beach accounts for 71 approvals against 24 in Miramar Beach. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Walton County
How large is Walton County?
- Land area1,038 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Florida counties12th of 67
- Width, east to west32.9 mi
- Height, north to south50.1 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary6
- Residents per square mile of land80
- Establishments per square mile3.23
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Walton County
Flood risk in Walton County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Walton County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 120317
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 6
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book4
- Of those, participating in the NFIP4
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 6
- Communities carrying a CRS class1
- Radon levels in Walton County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Walton County (community 120317), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 6, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Walton County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 6, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Walton County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Walton County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202482,948
- Households34,362
- Average household size2.41
- Median household income$81,986
- Median age43.9
Common questions
Walton County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Walton County, Florida?
The Census Bureau estimates 89,666 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 82,948, in 34,362 households, ranking 38th of 67 Florida counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Walton County's population growing?
The population has grown 19.06 percent since the 2020 census base of 75,309, to 89,666 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 977 births against 867 deaths, with net migration of 3,237. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Walton County?
$81,986. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $425,100, which is 5.2 times income, and median gross rent is $1,741 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Walton County?
3,348 establishments, employing 26,994 people with an annual payroll of $1.36 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Walton County?
Accommodation and food services is the largest private sector at 8,081 jobs, 23.2 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 34,785 jobs at an average annual pay of $56,144, or $1,080 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Walton County?
153 7(a) approvals totaling $93.9 m since FY2020, across 47 lenders, with a median approval of $350,000, plus 66 504 approvals worth $54.2 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Walton County get paid back?
Of the 34 loans that have reached a final outcome, 34 were paid in full and 0 charged off, a charge-off rate of 0.0 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Walton County?
2,883 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $1.25 bn. Multifamily was 46.3 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Walton County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Walton County come from?
The largest single origin is Okaloosa County, with 808 households. Arriving households report an average income of $228,435 against $139,738 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Walton County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Walton County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Walton County
Cities and places in Walton.
4 Census places lie wholly or partly in Walton County. All 4 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miramar Beach | CDP | 8,902 | 24 | Wholly in this county |
| Freeport | city | 6,689 | 22 | Wholly in this county |
| DeFuniak Springs | city | 6,532 | 15 | Wholly in this county |
| Paxton | town | 686 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 92 of the county's 153 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Walton County, the largest being Santa Rosa Beach (71), Inlet Beach (18), Rosemary Beach (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.