Median Age
40 Years
Largest Age Group
30-39 Years
Approximately 15% of Residents
Under 20
22%
Over 65
20%
Fort Walton Beach, FL
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,449
Population
19,684
Renter Mix
41% Rent
A thriving community at the heart of the Emerald Coast
Coastal
•
Beach
•
Suburb
Fort Walton Beach, Florida combines coastal living with deep military heritage along the Emerald Coast. The area offers various housing options from waterfront condominiums to single-family homes. Current rental trends show average monthly rates of $1,463 for one-bedroom units, while three-bedroom homes typically rent for around $2,096, with the market experiencing slight adjustments as larger units have seen modest decreases in pricing over the past year. Notable areas include the downtown district, known for its shopping and dining scene, and the residential neighborhoods near Santa Rosa Sound, featuring water views and community amenities.
Fort Walton Beach centers on its beaches, military presence, and outdoor activities. The Heritage Park and Cultural Center showcases local history through attractions like the Indian Temple Mound Museum, while Brooks Bridge connects residents to Okaloosa Island's white-sand beaches. The proximity of Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field shapes the community's character. Residents enjoy numerous parks and water access points throughout the city. The annual Billy Bowlegs Pirate Festival celebrates the area's coastal heritage each June.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$56,916
Average: $78,606
Education
5,961
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
9,497
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Fort Walton Beach has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
41%
Non-Renters
59%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
21%
Other Education
79%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Fort Walton Beach, FL is $881 for a studio, $1,451 for one bedroom, $1,600 for two bedrooms, and $2,038 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Fort Walton Beach has increased by 1.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,451/month
695 Sq Ft
House
$2,249/month
1,501 Sq Ft
Condo
$1,962/month
952 Sq Ft
Townhome
$1,953/month
1,250 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Fort Walton Beach, FL is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
50
/ 100
Limited Public Transit
Transit
30
/ 100
Moderately Drivable
Drivability
70
/ 100
Moderately Bikeable
Bikeability
70
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Northwest Florida Ballet Academie
Public
Grades K-8
134 Students
Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Public
Grades K-8
977 Students
Elliott Point Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
537 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
552 Students
Annette P. Edwins Elementary School
Public
Grades PK-5
475 Students
Northwest Florida Ballet Academie
Public
Grades K-8
134 Students
Liza Jackson Preparatory School
Public
Grades K-8
977 Students
Max Bruner Junior Middle School
Public
Grades 6-8
662 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
625 Students
Public
Grades K-12
144 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,561 Students
Choctawhatchee Senior High School
Public
Grades 9-12
1,670 Students
Public
Grades K-12
144 Students
Public
Grades PK-12
98 Students
Okaloosa Virtual Instruction Program
Public
Grades K-12
13 Students
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Parks and Recreation
- Emerald Coast Science Center
Airports
- Eglin AFB/Destin-Ft Walton Beach
- Pensacola International
Top Apartments in Fort Walton Beach
Houses for Rent in Fort Walton Beach
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Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.