Fort Walton Beach, Florida Income Statistics
Fort Walton Beach Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of an area's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
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C
Fort Walton Beach Below average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Fort Walton Beach | Florida Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,605 | $74,580 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $48,939 | $52,322 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.1% | 5.4% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 10.0% | 11.6% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 8.0% | 11.0% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Fort Walton Beach is about 9% lower than in Florida. Income has been growing slower in Fort Walton Beach (4.1%/yr) than in Florida (5.4%/yr).
About 10% of adults in Fort Walton Beach earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Florida average of 12%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Fort Walton Beach, Florida grew by 40.8% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $67,605 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.1% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Fort Walton Beach
| Metric | Fort Walton Beach | Florida Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.523 | 0.551 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $57,416 | $60,595 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $45,210 | $50,762 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 21.3% | 16.2% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Fort Walton Beach, it is 0.523, lower than Florida's 0.551, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 27% more than women's income in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. Over a 35-year career, a 27% wage gap accumulates to roughly $427,210 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fort Walton Beach, Florida has narrowed from about 24% to 21% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 26% in 2021, and was narrowest at 16% in 2011. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,442 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Fort Walton Beach | Florida Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 3.3% | 4.8% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 7.9% | 15.7% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 20 | 23 | 22 |
Approximately 371 people are unemployed in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
The average commute time in Fort Walton Beach is 20 minutes, shorter than the 23 minutes in Florida.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Fort Walton Beach, Florida has fallen from 8.2% to 3.3% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 9.8% in 2013.
Fort Walton Beach, FL Wealth Compared With Nearby Cities
How Fort Walton Beach, FL compares with the 1 cities closest to it.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Walton Beach, FL | 20,806 | $67,605 #2/2 | 4.1%/yr #2/2 | 3.3% #2/2 | 0.523 #2/2 |
| Wright, FL | 25,519 | $68,916 | 4.5%/yr | 3.0% | 0.512 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Fort Walton Beach, Florida has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it somewhat better than Florida, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
How Rich Is Fort Walton Beach, Florida?
Fort Walton Beach has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $67,605, about 9% lower than the Florida average of $74,580.
How has median household income changed in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Fort Walton Beach, Florida rose 41%, from $48,006 to $67,605. Over the same years, income here lagged behind Florida as a whole: +41% against +57%.
What was the median household income in Fort Walton Beach in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Fort Walton Beach, Florida was $65,294, up 7% from $60,777 in 2022. The Florida median that year was $71,864.
What was the median household income in Fort Walton Beach in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Fort Walton Beach, Florida was $54,216. By 2024 it had risen 25% to $67,605.
Is unemployment high in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?
Unemployment in Fort Walton Beach, Florida is only 3.3%, well below the Florida rate of 4.8%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?
The Gini coefficient in Fort Walton Beach is 0.523. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Fort Walton Beach, Florida?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Fort Walton Beach, Florida has narrowed from about 24% to 21% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 26% in 2021, and was narrowest at 16% in 2011. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $2,442 since 2009.
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