Walton County, Florida facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walton County
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Walton County Courthouse
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Location within the U.S. state of Florida
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Florida's location within the U.S. |
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Country | United States | |
State | Florida | |
Founded | December 29, 1824 | |
Named for | George Walton Jr. | |
Seat | DeFuniak Springs | |
Largest city | Miramar Beach | |
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)
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• Total | 75,305 | |
• Density | 60.73/sq mi (23.45/km2) | |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) | |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) | |
Congressional district | 1st |
Walton County is located on the Emerald Coast in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Florida, with its southern border on the Gulf of Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 75,305. Its county seat is DeFuniak Springs. The county is home to the highest natural point in Florida: Britton Hill, at 345 feet (105 m). Walton County is included in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Contents
History
Walton County was created in 1824. It was named for the son of George Walton the Signer, Colonel George Walton, Jr (born 15 Aug 1786 in Augusta, Richmond Co, Georgia; died 20 Mar 1859 in Petersburg, Virginia) who was Secretary of the Florida territory from 1821 to 1826.
The county was settled in the early 18th Century by Scots who migrated from the Carolinas. The original settlements were in the Euchee (Yuchi) Valley near the landing on the Choctawhatchee River maintained by an Indian named Sam Story. They established one of the first Presbyterian churches in Northwest Florida which is still a functioning parish with an historical cemetery.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,240 square miles (3,200 km2), of which 1,038 square miles (2,690 km2) is land and 202 square miles (520 km2) (16.3%) is water. The County is one of the largest in size in the state, stretching from the Alabama state line to the Emerald Coast.
Adjacent counties
- Covington County, Alabama - northwest
- Geneva County, Alabama - northeast
- Holmes County, Florida - east
- Washington County, Florida - east
- Bay County, Florida - southeast
- Okaloosa County, Florida - west
National protected area
- Choctawhatchee National Forest (part)
- Point Washington State Forest (part)
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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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% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2015 2019 2020 |
As of the census of 2000, there were 40,601 people, 16,548 households, and 11,120 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile (15/km2). There were 29,083 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.41% White, 6.98% Black or African American, 1.28% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.75% from other races, and 2.09% from two or more races. 2.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 16,548 households, out of which 26.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.80% were non-families. 27.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.70% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 105.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,407, and the median income for a family was $37,663. Males had a median income of $26,799 versus $21,208 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,198. About 11.60% of families and 14.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.00% of those under age 18 and 10.90% of those age 65 or over.
Libraries
Walton County has 4 branches, including the historic DeFuniak Springs Library.
- Coastal
- DeFuniak Springs
- Freeport
- Gladys N. Milton Memorial Library
Communities
Cities
Town
Census-designated place
Other unincorporated communities
- Argyle
- Bruce
- Eucheanna (Euchee Valley)
- Glendale
- Grayton Beach
- Mossy Head
- Red Bay
- Santa Rosa Beach
- Seacrest
- Seaside
Gallery
Transportation
Airports
- DeFuniak Springs Airport
Highways
- Interstate 10
- US Highway 90
- US Highway 98
- US Highway 331
- Florida State Road 20
- Florida State Road 30A
- Florida State Road 81
- Florida State Road 83
Notable people
- Sean Dietrich, writer
- Mary Vinson, artist
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Walton (Florida) para niños