Looking for homes in Fort Walton Beach?
Fort Walton Beach is a wonderful waterfront community with an extensive and varied selection of homes for sale. You can find waterfront homes on the beautiful Sound, bays and bayous surrounding and winding through this Gulf-front city, as well as a huge variety of homes for sale in Fort Walton Beach that are affordable for all income levels.
It's easy to search all listed Fort Walton Beach homes and filter for square footage, number of bedrooms and baths, price and many other features.
About Fort Walton Beach
Fort Walton Beach, Florida is located in southern Okaloosa County between Destin and Pensacola, and as of 2010, the population estimate was 19,507. The greater Fort Walton Beach area, including Mary Esther and Shalimar, has the amenities of a large city yet it maintains the feel of a small seaside town. Host to one of the largest military bases in the world, Eglin Air Force Base, the local economy is strong as well as diverse with a mix of military, manufacturing, tourism, education and retail business.
Fort Walton Beach is a year-round fishing and vacation resort playground. Its busiest time of the year is the summer when thousands of visitors flock to the area, and spring break is always crowded. During the winter months, many visitors from the snowbound northern states and Canada enjoy the temperate climate.
Fort Walton Beach Activities and Events
The City of Fort Walton Beach holds many festivals, events and fairs throughout the year, some at its own Fairgrounds. One of the most popular annual events is 'The Billy Bowlegs Festival' which is held each June and features a pirate takeover of the city and a huge fireworks display over Santa Rosa Sound and the Intercoastal Waterway. Lots of fun but contrary to popular belief, there is no documentary evidence of pirates using the area as a base of operations.
The greater Fort Walton Beach area offers a rich cultural life. The Mattie Kelly Arts Center of the Northwest Florida State College provides an extensive schedule of theatre and dance productions, concerts, literary events and art exhibits to rival many larger cities. The Arts & Design Society of Fort Walton Beach facilitates fine art exhibitions, sponsoring four major exhibitions each year. The Northwest Florida Ballet Company stages several ballets annually, and Stage Crafters Community Theatre is the longest running all-volunteer theatre company in the state, celebrating 50 years in 2022!
History of Fort Walton Beach
Prehistoric settlement of Fort Walton Beach is attributed to the mound-building "Fort Walton Culture" that flourished from approximately 1100~1550 AD. The Indian Temple Mound Museum is located in downtown Fort Walton Beach and features the 'Mound,' over 6,000 artifacts, and historical buildings. In 1861, the area that came to be known as Camp Walton was a confederate military camp. The original Camp Walton settlement actually took its name from the Walton Guards, who guarded the East Pass into the gulf. The Walton Guards made their camp at the base of the ancient Temple Mound.
It's a great time to buy a home in Fort Walton Beach!
As you can see, Fort Walton Beach is a wonderful beachfront community with much to offer. A diverse local economy combined with a low cost of living and low housing costs makes it a great place to settle down and build a life. With its great schools, recreation, shopping, culture and educational opportunities, Fort Walton Beach is a true find for anyone considering relocating, retirement or purchasing a second vacation home. Find your ideal home for sale in Fort Walton Beach today!
