Walton County
FL · Pop. 79,846 · Suburban County
Walton County sits in Florida across 1,038 square miles, home to 79,846 people at 76.9 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, cotton, haylage. The median home price is $376,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.45%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 261-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F and average winter lows of 40.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 63.7 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. Healthmark Regional Medical Center is 6.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 261-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.45% holds annual carrying costs down.
- Broadband reaches 94.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Healthmark Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 6.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A median home price of $376,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Walton County, FL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 69/100
- Median home price
- $376k
- Property tax
- 0.45%
- Growing season
- 261 days (zone 9a)
- Annual rainfall
- 63.7"
- Broadband
- 94.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Healthmark Regional Medical Center, 6.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Walton County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Walton County?
- Walton County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 261-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F, and average winter lows of 40.2°F. The established crops are hay, cotton, haylage.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $376,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.45%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Healthmark Regional Medical Center is 6.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Florida Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Florida
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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