How a stubborn Florida frontier became a modern architectural landmark and political stronghold

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Organized in 1824, Walton County began as a collection of isolated, self-sufficient settlements that defied Spanish rule. Today, this Florida region is known for its New Urbanist coastal communities, its role in cinematic history, and its evolution into a reliable Republican political base in the American South.

Walton County, situated along the Emerald Coast, has a history defined by its early independence. During the late 18th century, while the area was under British control, Scottish and English settlers established self-contained communities that relied entirely on subsistence agriculture. These pioneers were notably resistant to external authority; when Spain regained control of Florida in 1783, the settlers refused to adopt Catholicism or pay taxes, earning them a reputation among Spanish officials as ungovernable. Over time, these groups were absorbed into the broader migration of settlers from the United States.

The county's landscape is as distinct as its history. It contains the highest natural elevation in Florida, Britton Hill, which reaches 345 feet. Spanning 1,240 square miles, the county is roughly 16% water. While historically rural, the region has seen significant development in recent decades. In 1995, architects Andrés Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk founded three planned communities—Alys Beach, Seaside, and Rosemary Beach—based on the principles of New Urbanism. Seaside, in particular, gained international recognition as the primary filming location for the 1998 movie The Truman Show.

Politically and demographically, the county has undergone a notable shift. Once part of the Democratic-leaning South, it began moving away from that tradition in the mid-20th century. Since 1980, it has consistently supported Republican presidential candidates, often by significant margins. The 2020 census recorded a population of 75,305, with a median age of 44.5 years. The area remains a mix of rural and urban lifestyles, with 56.1% of residents living in rural settings, even as the county continues to serve as a hub for the Crestview–Fort Walton Beach–Destin metropolitan area.

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