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Community Reports

A quick and easy way to find useful information about your community, nearby schools and local businesses. Here you will find everything from churches to resturaunts and even shopping!

This is the way one local described DeFuniak Springs, the Walton county seat:

Have you ever wished for a simpler way of life, a more laidback existence where people were still kind and neighbors were friends? Well, if you have, then that is the reason that you should move to DeFuniak Springs, Florida.

This small town in the central panhandle of Florida is as close to Mayberry as you can find in 2006.

The center of town is a naturally round lake, one of only 2 to be found in the world, that provides a beautiful setting for festivals, celebrations, family gatherings, weddings, and any other occasion that calls for a fabulous natural setting. The historic downtown area has been well maintained and businesses still thrive throughout the area. The residential district in this area is home to many houses that are on the National Register of Historical Homes. The Victorian and early 19th Century homes found around the lake are absolutely indescribable. Christmas finds the homes, the lake yard, the streets, downtown businesses and the entire community fully decorated and in the spirit beginning the day after Thanksgiving with the annual “Hometown Christmas”.

The neighborhoods in DeFuniak and surrounding areas are still safe enough for children to be seen playing outside, riding bikes, or enjoying an impromptu game. Neighbors still know each other and exemplify what neighbors are supposed to be. Whether a wedding or a funeral, happy times or sad, neighbors in this town turn out with food, support, a shoulder, whatever is needed. And it is not requested, it is just because that is what neighbors do. What more can you want in neighbors or townfolk.

Even though DeFuniak Springs is small there are many opportunities for the more urban way of life. You are only 30 minutes from the Beaches of South Walton. One of which has been ranked the most beautiful beach in the world at least 2 different years, Grayton Beach. Some of the best shopping in the finest shops are at Silver Sands Outlet Mall and 5 star restaurants offer fine dining at it’s best anywhere along South Walton’s 30-A area. For the culturally minded the new Fine and Performing Arts Center at Okaloosa Walton College provides access to many forms of entertainment and education in the arts.

If the beaches and urban life are not your desires, then you are within a few minutes from the Choctawhatchee River, Shoal River, many creeks and streams that offer fishing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, camping or anything else you could want. Lake Jackson in extreme NorthWest Walton County offers jet skiing, water skiing, fishing, tubing and swimming. There are many smaller lakes for this also including 2 within the city limits, Lake Stanley and Back Lake. Hunting is very prevalent in the area also and there is plenty of acreage available for this pastime. Nature has more than done its part in making DeFuniak Springs and Walton County the best place in the world to live.

Walton County has superior schools and works to provide an excellent education

Are You coming to the area by plane...

      Most flights come into Northwest Florida by Atlanta, GA and then a connection flight will take air travelers to  one of three airports...the Ft. Walton Beach Airport, Panama City-Bay County International Airport or the Pensacola Airport. Delta, USAir Express and Northwest Airlink and ASA service the Panama City-Bay County International Airport. Delta, Northwest, ASA, Continental and Gulf Stream service the Okaloosa Air Terminal in Fort Walton Beach. Private airports are also found in DeFuniak Springs and Destin.

City	Miles	Drive Time		City	Miles	Drive Time
Atlanta ....................................	321	5:54		Memphis .............................	525	12:00
Birmingham ..........................	253	4:48		Miami ..................................	641	12:00
Charleston ............................	542	10:55		Milwaukee ..........................	1051	20:52
Charlotte ...............................	560	12:15		Minneapolis .......................	1367	26:38
Chicago ................................	952	19:00		Nashville ............................	482	10:28
Dallas ....................................	764	14:43		New Orleans ...................	272	4:40
Detroit ...................................	1014	20:00		New York ..........................	1243	23:00
Houston ................................	590	11:29		Orlando ..........................	399	7:35
Jackson, MS .....................	317	8:19		San Francisco ..............	2400	44:59
Jacksonville .........................	305	5:52		St Louis ............................	770	14:50
Little Rock ........................	662	14:35		Tampa .............................	417	7:55
Los Angeles ....................	2142	39:44		Toronto ............................	1104	21:15
Louisville .........................	657	13:39