Walton County, FL Property Tax: $1,709/yr (2026)
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The effective property tax rate in Walton County is 0.45% of assessed home value. On a home at the county median value of $376,400, that works out to about $1,694 per year, or $141 per month. Walton County is located in northwestern Florida, with DeFuniak Springs as its county seat, and is home to approximately 79,846 residents.
About Walton County
Walton County covers approximately 1,038.3 square miles in Florida. The county is home to about 79,846 residents living in roughly 58,894 housing units, of which 42.8% are owner-occupied. The median household income is $79,281, and the median home was built in 2000.
The county seat is DeFuniak Springs. Walton County borders Covington County, Geneva County, Bay County, Holmes County, Okaloosa County — useful comparisons if you're considering nearby areas with potentially different tax rates.
How Property Taxes Work in Florida
Property taxes in Florida are administered at the county level. Each county sets a millage rate applied to the assessed value of real property — the effective rate above accounts for any partial assessments and exemptions already built into the local tax base. Assessed value can differ meaningfully from current market value depending on how often the county reassesses and what fraction of market value it uses.
Most counties in Florida offer exemptions that reduce the taxable assessed value: homestead exemptions for primary residences, senior exemptions, disability exemptions, and veteran exemptions are common. These reduce your effective rate below the county-wide average shown here. Contact the Walton County Assessor's office to learn which exemptions apply to your property and when to file.
Walton County vs. Neighboring Counties
| Location | Eff. Rate | Median Home | Annual Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walton County, FL | 0.45% | $376,400 | $1,694 |
| Florida state average | 0.73% | — | $2,748* |
| Covington County | 0.25% | $142,500 | $358 |
| Geneva County | 0.32% | $120,200 | $382 |
| Bay County | 0.60% | $276,900 | $1,653 |
| Holmes County | 0.52% | $101,400 | $527 |
| Okaloosa County | 0.60% | $324,800 | $1,948 |
| US national average | 1.10% | $281,900 | $3,101 |
*State average annual tax computed at Walton County's median home value of $376,400. Source: US Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Walton County's property tax rate compare to the rest of Florida?
At 0.45%, Walton County is lower than the Florida state average of 0.73%. On a home at the county median of $376,400, that means about $1,694 per year — versus $2,748 at the state average rate, a difference of $1,054 per year. Compared to the national average of 1.10%, Walton County is below average.
What's a typical annual property tax bill in Walton County?
For a home at the county median value of $376,400, the annual property tax in Walton County is approximately $1,694 — or about $141 per month. For a home worth $564,600, expect around $2,541 per year. For a $752,800 home, approximately $3,388 per year. Use the calculator above to estimate taxes for any assessed value.
Where do I appeal a Walton County property tax assessment?
Property assessment appeals in Walton County are handled by the Walton County Assessor's office in DeFuniak Springs. Most jurisdictions require filing within 30–90 days of receiving your assessment notice — confirm the specific deadline with the assessor's office before submitting, as deadlines and procedures vary by county. A successful appeal can reduce your assessed value and lower your tax bill for the current and future tax years.
What exemptions are available in Walton County?
Florida counties commonly offer homestead exemptions for owner-occupied primary residences, senior citizen exemptions for qualifying homeowners aged 65 and older, exemptions for disabled residents, and veterans' exemptions. Each exemption reduces your assessed taxable value, which in turn reduces your effective tax rate below the county-wide 0.45% shown here. Contact the Walton County Assessor's office to confirm which exemptions are available and the application deadlines.
Data sources: US Census Bureau ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates, US Census Gazetteer (2024), County Adjacency File