Walton County, FL FAQs

Is Walton County Florida A Good Place to Live?

Walton County, FL

Located in Northwest Florida on the Emerald Coast, Walton County was established in 1824. This county was named after Colonel George Walton, Jr., secretary of the Florida Territory in 1821‒1826. Its county seat is DeFuniak Springs, while Miramar Beach in South Walton is the county’s largest city.

Walton has a total area of 1,240 square miles, one Florida’s largest, stretching from the Alabama state line north and south to the Gulf Coast. The county’s land area consists of 1,038 square miles and water 202 square miles. The highest natural point in Florida, the 345-foot Britton Hill, is notably located in Walton.

Strengths South at the Coast

Besides these geographic superlatives, Walton boasts of the varied attractions at its southern slice towards the Gulf of Mexico. South Walton takes prides in its 16 premier coastal communities, each with its own character and style woven around 26 miles of powdery white sand beaches and the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

Miramar Beach is Walton County’s melting pot, as it is a beach resort town teeming with rental condos and apartments. The tourist traffic in this city, as to be expected, is quite heavy during summer and the holidays. Miramar Beach has also become a favored Florida destination for retirees.

Seaside is another notable city in South Walton, the reason being that it is among the first master-planned U.S. communities developed based on the New Urbanism principles. Its development is a showcase discussed in architectural schools and housing industry forums, and it is one of the must-visit destinations for design professionals across the U.S.

In addition to its acclaimed residential neighborhoods, South Walton as a prime tourist destination is host to posh hotel accommodations, eclectic shops and art galleries, challenging golf links, and award-winning restaurants. Outdoor recreational activities abound too in South Walton, as it is home to four state parks, a state forest, and 15 rare coastal dune lakes plus the offshore gulf waters.

Hubs of Commerce and Business

In addition to tourism, Walton’s economy and its real estate sector draw strength from the county various business and industrial parks. One is at the county seat itself, the DeFuniak Springs Municipal Airport Park which banks on its strategic location to draw business to its fold. Similar tailwinds to growth is parlayed at the 23-acre business park in the Paxton next to this town’s airport. In South Walton, there is a 134-acre commerce park too which is well suited for office development in support of construction, tourism, and defense-related ventures.

With all these economic drivers firmly in place, Walton County has emerged as one of the fastest growing counties in the whole of the U.S. An appreciable growth in county’s population was likewise noted between 2016 and 2017, with the census count rising from 65,440 to 68,376. At the same time, a 10.2% increase in tourist arrivals has been noted in Walton. Give this tourism gain and the uptick in local population growth, Walton County indeed appears well en route to sustaining its economic growth in the future.

References

Are there any Walton County, FL sinkhole news?

SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL
March 2017 – The Walton County Public Works department has closed a section of County Road 30A that was affected by a large sinkhole.

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Find Nearby Foreclosures

Northwest Florida’s unique geology makes the ground unstable. The area sits on porous limestone bedrock, typical of karst landscapes. Acidic groundwater dissolves these rocks, creating cavities that collapse under weight.

Between 2008 and 2023, the Florida Geological Survey found 227 subsidence events. These include natural sinkholes and collapses caused by human activities. Researchers use soil tests and site history to tell them apart. Most incidents happened near De Funiak Springs and coastal areas like Santa Rosa Beach.

Karst systems grow naturally, but human actions speed up risks. Drilling wells and building structures change groundwater flow, stressing underground voids. State maps show high-risk areas using elevation data and past incidents. This helps communities plan development while considering the geology.

Two key factors are bedrock depth and seasonal rainfall. Heavy storms can cause sudden collapses by filling underground spaces quickly. This shows why agencies like the Florida Department of Environmental Protection must keep monitoring.

Recent & Notable Sinkhole Incidents / Case Studies

The 2008 FCIT dataset and 2023 Beal Parkway collapse are key moments in Walton County’s sinkhole history. They show how natural risks meet urban growth over two decades.

2008 FCIT Baseline Monitoring Framework
Walton County started tracking sinkholes with the Florida Center for Instructional Technology (FCIT) in 2008. This effort:

Found 63 confirmed sinkholes from 1994-2008
Spotlighted risky areas along coastal limestone
Set up emergency response plans for the whole county

2023 Beal Parkway Infrastructure Collapse
A 15-foot sinkhole opened on State Road 189 in March 2023. It needed Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) help. The main effects were:

1.2 miles of road were closed for 36 hours
11 businesses, like Southern Nutrition and Ruby Tuesday, were affected
Repair costs were $287,000

Looking back, we see changes in risk. More sinkholes are linked to infrastructure, not just natural causes. This shift is tied to population growth.

18% of incidents after 2010 are infrastructure-related
6% before 2010

Walton County’s population grew by 28,000 from 2010-2023. This growth pushed development into areas at risk of sinkholes.

Risk Factors & What Homeowners Should Do

Walton County, FL, is at high risk for sinkholes because of its geology. Over 70% of the area is on top of evaporite bedrock that can dissolve easily. Also, 45% of the water pipes are old, not meeting today’s standards.

Seasonal changes in groundwater and more buildings make the ground even weaker. This is a big problem for the area.

Homeowners should check their foundations every three months for signs like cracks in walls or floors that slope. If you live near areas where sinkholes have been found, get special insurance. But, only 38% of homes in the county have this kind of coverage.

If you notice a depression in your yard or plants growing in strange ways, tell FDEP right away. They will check it fast.

The 2023 Beal Parkway issue shows how to handle sinkholes well. Okaloosa County and FDOT worked together to fix the road in just five days. They used special techniques to make it stable.

Homeowners can do similar things to protect their homes. They can put in drainage systems and not pump too much water when it’s dry.

Tools like the Florida Geological Survey’s subsidence maps help keep an eye on the risk. Structural engineers suggest using helical piers to strengthen foundations in crowded areas. By taking these steps, Walton County residents can lower their risk of sinkholes.

FAQ

What geological factors contribute to sinkhole formation in Walton County?

Walton County’s sinkhole risk comes from its limestone bedrock and groundwater. About 72% of the county has evaporite bedrock, which dissolves easily. This is based on data from the Florida Geological Survey.

How many confirmed sinkhole incidents has Walton County documented in the last 15 years?

From 2008 to 2023, Walton County saw 227 subsidence events. This includes both natural and human-made collapses. After 2010, infrastructure-related subsidence rose to 18%, up from 6% before 2010.

What distinguishes natural sinkholes from infrastructure-related collapses?

Natural sinkholes happen when bedrock dissolves. Infrastructure collapses often come from old water systems. In Walton County, 45% of pipes were installed before 1980. The Florida Center for Instructional Technology helps tell these apart.

Which areas in Walton County show the highest sinkhole activity?

Areas around De Funiak Springs and Santa Rosa Beach have more sinkholes. The 2023 Beal Parkway collapse is a prime example. It was 15ft deep and lasted 36 hours, affecting State Road 189 and businesses.

What immediate actions should residents take during ground subsidence?

Residents must report any ground movement to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection right away. They should also check their foundation every quarter and make sure they have sinkhole insurance. Currently, 38% of residents have it.

How effective are sinkhole response efforts in Walton County?

The 2023 Beal Parkway response showed how well Okaloosa County Public Works and FDOT work together. They fixed state roads in 5-7 business days. FDOT focuses on making roads safe and restoring utilities.

Sinkholes in Walton County, FL | Florida Sinkholes