Population
Walton County is one of the fastest growing counties in the United States. The county’s population grew at more than 30 percent between 2000 and 2008 and is estimated at 53,837. As new missions arrive at Eglin Air Force Base in the next few years, projections estimate as many as 3,000 new residents may join Walton County’s population base. Minorities represent about 13 percent of the county’s population.
Despite its growth, Walton County has a population density of about 50 people per square mile, which is nearly six times lower than the state’s average. The majority of the county’s residents live outside the incorporated cities of DeFuniak Springs, Paxton and Freeport. Major concentrations of residents can be found in South Walton along State Road 98 and County Road 30-A. Homeownership rates in Walton County stand at 79 percent, which is significantly higher than the State average of 70.1 percent.
The average age of Walton County residents is 40 years, just slightly higher than the state’s average. However, more than 20 percent of the county’s population is younger than 18 years.