Fort Walton Beach is a city in Okaloosa County, Florida, United States.As of 2005, the population estimate for Fort Walton Beach, Florida is 19,817 recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau. Fort Walton Beach is a year round fishing and beach resort. Its busiest time of the year is spring break, while thousands of people flock to the Emerald Coast. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 21.3 km² (8.2 mi²). 19.3 km² (7.4 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it (9.26%) is water.

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,973 people, 8,460 households, and 5,419 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 78.8% White, 13.3% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population. Nearby Okaloosa Regional Airport (airport code VPS) serves Fort Walton Beach, as well as Valparaiso, Florida. Airlines that currently serve Okaloosa Regional Airport are American Eagle, Delta Airlines, Delta Connection, Continental Express, Continental Connection, and Northwest Airlines. Also the Okaloosa County Transit provides public transportation though out the county.