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Walton County Profile
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Primary Economic Development Contact
Nearest MSA: Crestview-Ft. Walton Beac
Time Zone: Central
Local Area Code(s): 850
Largest Cities:1 DeFuniak Springs
2 Freeport
3 Paxton
Miles* To:
Tallahassee...................................113
Orlando...................................326
Tampa...................................294
Jacksonville...................................268
Miami...................................505
Atlanta...................................230
Chicago...................................774
Dallas...................................643
New York...................................972
*Miles are calculated from county seat.
Click here to learn about this county.
Walton
1980:21,300
1990:27,759
2010:55,043
2020(p):68,200
2040(p):93,100
(p) Denotes Projected Population
Florida
9,746,961
12,938,071
18,801,310
21,326,800
26,081,800
Walton Florida
2007$30,412$39,449
2008$31,097$40,133
2009$30,018$38,965
Average TemperatureHighLow
January:6340
July:9271
Florida Mean Annual Precipitation...........................53
Average Annual Rain Days...........................110
(2010)
In-Migration3,852
Out-Migration3,183
Net-Migration 669
*Estimates based on IRS Statistics of Income data
(2010)
Labor Force31,064
Labor Force % of County Population56.4
Number in County Unemployed2,535
Unemployment Rate8.2%

  Monthly labor force data are available from the Florida Agency
  for Workforce Innovation.
N/D = No DataWaltonFlorida
(2010)
Average Annual Employment18,5267,109,630
Natural Resources & MiningN/D
Construction8.8%5.0%
Manufacturing2.2%4.3%
Trade, Transportation and Utilities20.9%21.2%
Information0.6%1.9%
Financial Activities4.9%6.6%
Professional & Business Services7.5%14.8%
Education & Health Services10.4%22.0%
Leisure & Hospitality23.8%13.2%
Other Services4.5%3.3%
Public administration9.5%6.6%
UnclassifiedN/D

Average Annual Wage
(2010)
All Industries$30,447
Construction$32,361
Education & Health Services$33,915
Financial Activities$43,537
Information$37,669
Leisure & Hospitality$22,166
Manufacturing$32,331
Natural Resources & MiningN/D
Other Services$27,237
Professional & Business Services$35,440
Public administration$39,614
Trade, Transportation and Utilities$26,205
Unclassified$23,900
Major Private Sector Employers

Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Business Line: Resort
Number of Employees..................................................... 691

Sacred Heart on the Emerald Coast
Business Line: Medical/Health Care
Number of Employees..................................................... 540

ResortQuest
Business Line: Resort/Property Management
Number of Employees..................................................... 500

Publix Super Markets
Business Line: Retail
Number of Employees..................................................... 425

Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Business Line: Resort
Number of Employees..................................................... 400

WaterColor Inn and Resort
Business Line: Resort
Number of Employees..................................................... 275

St. Joe Company
Business Line: Resort/Real Estate Development
Number of Employees..................................................... 250

HealthMark Regional Medical Center
Business Line: Medical/Health Care
Number of Employees..................................................... 200

Professional Products, Inc.
Business Line: Manufacturer of Orthopedic Devices
Number of Employees..................................................... 170
Federal InterstatesI-10
Federal HighwaysUS-90, US-98, US-331
State HighwaysSR-20, SR-81, SR-83, SR-85
RailroadsCSX
Nearest Airport with Scheduled Commerical Airline Service:Northwest Florida Regional Airport (VPS)
# Runways1
Longest Paved Runway(ft.)10000
General Aviation AirportsDeFuniak Springs Municipal Airport

Local Deep Water PortPanama City
Miles to Closest Port30
COUNTY
Countywide Ad Valorem Millage Rates:
Government3.5563
Schools5.0110
Special0.0400
Total8.6073
Ad Valorem Tax Exemption: No
Retail Sales Tax (Local Option)1.00
Federal Enterprise ZoneNo
State Enterprise ZoneEZ-6001, EZ-6002, EZ-6003
STATE
Corporate Income Tax5.5%
Personal Income Tax0.0%
Retail Sales Tax6.0%
Electric Companies:
  • CHELCO
  • Gulf Power

    • Natural Gas Companies:
  • City of DeFuniak Springs
  • Okaloosa County Gas District

    • Telephone Companies:
  • CenturyLink
  • DeltaCom
  • FairPoint Communication
  • Bright House Networks
  • Cox Communications

    • Water & Sewer Companies:
  • City of DeFuniak Springs
  • City of Freeport
  • Regional Utilities
  • South Walton Utilities
  • Mossy Head Water Works


    • Existing Industrial Zoned LandYes
    Number of Acres3,000
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel500

    Industrial ParksYes
    Number of Acres345
    Largest Available Contiguous Parcel60

    Foreign Trade ZonesNo
    Zone Number(s)
    Public
    Schools    		TeachersEnrollments
    Totals:236097,343

    Private Schools Available: Yes
    POST SECONDARY EDUCATION SERVING THE COUNTY:

    Colleges/Universities:
  • none listed

    • Junior/Community Colleges:
  • Northwest Florida State College-Chautauqua Center
  • Northwest Florida State College-South Walton Cntr

    • Technical Schools:
  • Walton Career Development Center

    • Other Schools:
  • none listed

    • Local Radio Stations:
  • WZEP 1460 AM
  • WTHA LPFM Radio







    • Local Television Stations:
  • none listed








    • Locally Printed Newspapers:
  • Walton Sun
  • DeFuniak Herald Breeze
    		•

    Number of Banks:12

    Number of Savings and Loans:0

    Number of Credit Unions:3
    Cost of Living
    Price Level Index, (2010)
    Florida State Average = 100
    200892.26
    200993.84
    201097.46
    Medical Services:
  • HealthMark Regional Medical Center
  • Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast

    • Recreational Opportunities:
  • Beaches of South Walton
  • Deer Lake State Park
  • Freeport Regional Sports Complex
  • Grayton Beach State Park
  • Point Washington State Forest
  • Topsail Hill Preserve

    • Historical Points Of Interest:
  • Chautauqua Brotherhood Hall - DeFuniak Springs
  • Eden Garden State Park
  • First Confederate Monument-DeFuniak Springs
  • Highest Point in the State of Florida-Britton Hill
  • Lake DeFuniak
  • Over 170 Nationally Registered Historic Properties
  • Walton-DeFuniak Library-Oldest Operating Library

    • Cultural Events/Festivals:
  • 30A Songwriters Festival
  • Chatauqua Assembly
  • Chautaqua Festival
  • Christmas Reflections (Light Tour)
  • Sandestin Wine Festival
  • Taste of the Beach

    • Enterprise Florida, Inc. 800 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 1100 Orlando, Florida 32803 Phone 407-956-5600 Fax(407)956-5599
    Visit us on the World Wide Web: http://www.eflorida.com