Walton County, Florida facts for kids

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Walton County

U.S. county

Walton County Courthouse

Flag

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Florida

Florida's location within the U.S.

Country

United States

State

Florida

Founded

December 29, 1824

George Walton Jr.

Largest community

Area

• Total

1,240 sq mi (3,200 km²)

• Land

1,038 sq mi (2,690 km²)

• Water

202 sq mi (520 km²) 16.3%%

Population

(2020)

• Total

75,305

• Estimate

(2023)

86,354

• Density

60.73/sq mi (23.45/km²)

Time zone

UTC−6 (Central)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−5 (CDT)

Congressional districts

1st, 2nd

Walton County is a county located in the northwestern part of Florida. It sits on the beautiful Emerald Coast and has its southern edge along the Gulf of Mexico. In 2020, about 75,305 people lived here. The main town, or county seat, is DeFuniak Springs.

Walton County is special because it's home to Britton Hill. This is the highest natural point in Florida, standing at about 345 feet (105 meters) tall. The county is also part of the larger Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin region.

History of Walton County

Walton County was officially created in 1824. It was named after Colonel George Walton Jr. He was an important person who served as the secretary of the Florida Territory from 1821 to 1826. His father, George Walton, was famous for signing the Declaration of Independence.

Between 1763 and 1783, the area that is now Walton County was part of a British colony called British West Florida. During this time, British settlers made their homes here. They were the first English-speaking people to live permanently in this area.

Scottish settlers came from the Carolinas and settled near what is now DeFuniak Springs. English settlers, many of whom were farmers or fishermen, moved to the southern part of the county by the sea. They settled in places like Santa Rosa Beach and Miramar Beach.

These early communities were mostly self-sufficient. This means they made almost everything they needed themselves. They didn't rely much on trade with outside areas. The only trade was usually between the Scottish settlers in the north and the English settlers by the coast.

The first settlements were in the Euchee Valley. This was near a river landing managed by a person named Sam Story. He was part Yuchi (a Native American group) and part Scottish. The white settlers also started one of the first Presbyterian churches in Northwest Florida. This church still operates today and has a historic cemetery.

When Spain took control of Florida again in 1783, many British settlers left other parts of Florida. However, the English and Scottish settlers in Walton County stayed. The Spanish found them "stubborn" because they wouldn't follow Spanish laws. For example, they refused to become Catholic, even though Spanish law required it. They also wouldn't pay taxes to the Spanish government.

As settlers from the new United States of America moved into north Florida, the English and Scottish communities slowly joined this larger group. This new group eventually became the main population in North Florida.

During the American Civil War, in 1860, about 573 men in Walton County were old enough to serve in the military. About 62 of them, or 11%, joined the Union army. The first monument in Florida to honor Confederate soldiers is at the Walton County Courthouse. It lists the names of 94 soldiers who died fighting for the Confederacy.

In 1995, three special communities were started in Walton County. These were Alys Beach, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach. They are examples of a design style called New Urbanism. This style focuses on creating walkable neighborhoods with homes, shops, and workplaces close together. The plan for Seaside was finished around 1985.

Seaside became famous when it was used as the main filming location for the 1998 movie The Truman Show.

Geography

Britton Hill, Florida's highest point at 345 feet (105 meters), is located in northern Walton County

Walton County covers a total area of about 1,240 square miles (3,200 square kilometers). About 1,038 square miles (2,690 square kilometers) of this is land, and 202 square miles (520 square kilometers) is water. This means about 16.3% of the county is covered by water.

Walton County is the 12th largest county in Florida by area. It stretches from the border with Alabama all the way down to the beautiful Emerald Coast on the Gulf of Mexico.

Neighboring Counties

Walton County shares its borders with several other counties:

Covington County, Alabama – to the northwest
Geneva County, Alabama – to the northeast
Holmes County – to the east
Washington County – to the east
Bay County – to the southeast
Okaloosa County – to the west

Protected Natural Areas

Parts of these important natural areas are located in Walton County:

Choctawhatchee National Forest
Point Washington State Forest

Population Information

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1830	1,207	—
1840	1,461	21.0%
1850	1,817	24.4%
1860	3,037	67.1%
1870	3,041	0.1%
1880	4,201	38.1%
1890	4,816	14.6%
1900	9,346	94.1%
1910	16,460	76.1%
1920	12,119	−26.4%
1930	14,576	20.3%
1940	14,246	−2.3%
1950	14,725	3.4%
1960	15,576	5.8%
1970	16,087	3.3%
1980	21,300	32.4%
1990	27,760	30.3%
2000	40,601	46.3%
2010	55,043	35.6%
2020	75,305	36.8%
2023 (est.)	86,354	56.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2015 2019 2020

Walton County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Race	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	46,857	60,644	85.13%	80.53%
Black or African American (NH)	3,147	3,294	5.72%	4.37%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	463	415	0.84%	0.55%
Asian (NH)	491	907	0.89%	1.2%
Pacific Islander (NH)	37	38	0.07%	0.05%
Some Other Race (NH)	62	307	0.11%	0.41%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	1,065	3,513	1.93%	4.67%
Hispanic or Latino	2,921	6,187	5.31%	8.22%
Total	55,043	75,305	100.00%	100.00%