COUNTY REPORT FL

Walton County, Florida

12 ZIP codes · Avg score 78/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03

Compared to state averages, Walton County scores well — its 12 ZIP codes sit above the baseline for tap water quality.

How Walton County Compares

Walton County78/100
Florida avg73/100
National avg68/100

How Walton County Compares

B
County Grade
78/100
Avg Safety Score
12
ZIP Codes
20
Water Systems

Walton County scores 5 points above the Florida state average (73/100) and 10 points above the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

B
County Grade
78
Avg Safety Score
12
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 32538 (94/100)
Lowest ZIP: 32439 (66/100)
$186K
Median Home Value
$1,591
Avg Remediation (86% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Walton County, Florida

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 13.1 (asthma 9.5%, diabetes 12.3%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $4,523, driven primarily by sea_level

Infrastructure: 0.225% avg pipe failure probability

36.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2021–2025)

↑ Worsening trend

EPA violation counts by year across Walton County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2021
3 (3 health)
2022
2 (2 health)
2023
3 (3 health)
2024
3 (3 health)
2025
6 (6 health)

Peak year: 2025 with 6 violations. Past 5 years: 17 total (17 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 9.5% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.3% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 30.1% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1993
Median Build Year
36.4%
Pre-1978 Housing
23%
Pipe Failure Probability
0%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Moderate
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $4,523

Sea Level Rise $2,875/yr
Flood $1,450/yr
Energy Code Gap $173/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

70,348 housing units in Walton County

Pre-1940 1%
1940–1959 3%
1960–1979 12%
1980–1999 41%
2000+ 42%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).

Water Safety Affordability

How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Walton County

$186K
Median Home Value
$1,591
Est. Remediation Cost
0.9%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Walton County, representing a small fraction of property value.

Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.

Health Outcomes vs National Average

CDC PLACES data for Walton County residents

Asthma 9.5% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 12.3% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 30.1% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Walton County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 City of Defuniak Springs W/s, 12,243 43
2 City of Freeport, 12,020 33
3 North Bay Water System 3,171 33
4 Argyle Water System, Inc. 1,157 30
5 Mossy Head Water Works, Inc. 4,386 28

20 total water systems serve Walton County.

All ZIP Codes in Walton County

12 ZIP codes tracked in Walton County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 32538 Paxton 94 A 5
2 32412 Panama City 91 A 14 (1 health)
3 32435 Defuniak Springs 91 A 14 (1 health) $186K
4 32433 Defuniak Springs 86 A 14 (1 health) $152K
5 32455 Ponce De Leon 81 B 2 $111K
6 32464 Westville 75 B 15 (1 health) $111K
7 32434 Mossy Head 73 B 0
8 32459 Santa Rosa Beach 73 B 1 $613K
9 32462 Vernon 73 B 9 $175K
10 32550 Miramar Beach 71 B 2 $680K
11 32541 Destin 67 C 4 $499K
12 32439 Freeport 66 C 8 $344K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Walton County

Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.

Overview

Walton County in Florida covers 12 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (78/100).

11 of 12 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to Florida water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Walton County?
Walton County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 12 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Walton County?
Walton County is served by 20 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 12 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Walton County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Walton County is sea_level. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $4,523 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Walton County?
The median home build year in Walton County is 1993. 36.4% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Walton County compare to Florida?
Walton County has an average water safety score of 78/100, which is above the Florida state average of 73/100.

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