The Villages | |
|---|---|
 Sumter Landing in The Villages | |
 Logo | |
| Nickname(s): Florida's Friendliest Hometown, Boomer Paradise | |
 Interactive map of The Villages | |
| Coordinates:28°54′12″N81°59′19″W / 28.90333°N 81.98861°W /28.90333; -81.98861[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Sumter,Marion,Lake |
| Area | |
• Total | 33.95 sq mi (87.94 km2) |
| • Land | 32.65 sq mi (84.57 km2) |
| • Water | 1.30 sq mi (3.37 km2) |
| Elevation | 52 ft (16 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 79,077 |
| • Density | 2,421.89/sq mi (935.08/km2) |
| Demonym | Villager |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | 32159, 32162, 32163, 34731, 34785, 34762 |
| Area code | 352 |
| FIPS code | 12-71625[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2402925[1] |
| Website | thevillages |
The Villages is acensus-designated place (CDP) inSumter,Marion, andLake counties in the U.S. state ofFlorida. It forms the core of a broadermaster-planned,age-restricted community of the same name. Located incentral Florida, approximately 20 miles (32 km) south ofOcala and 45 miles (72 km) northwest ofOrlando, the CDP had a population of 79,077 at the2020 United States census.[3] The Villages is known for its extensive amenities, including golf courses and recreation centers, and is part of theOrlando–Kissimmee–Sanford metropolitan statistical area.
In the 1960s, Michigan businessmanHarold Schwartz began selling land in the area now known as The Villages through mail-order sales. In 1968, a federal law prohibiting real estate sales by mail order forced Schwartz and his business partner, Al Tarrson, to halt this practice.[5]
In the early 1970s, Schwartz and Tarrson developed Orange Blossom Gardens, a mobile home park in northwestern Lake County.[6] By the early 1980s, the community had sold approximately 400 units. In 1983, Schwartz bought out Tarrson’s interest and brought his son,H. Gary Morse, into the business. Inspired by successful retirement communities likeDel Webb'sSun City, Morse expanded amenities, including golf courses and recreation centers, and pursued nearby commercial development. In 1992, the community was officially renamed The Villages.[7]
By the early 1990s, The Villages had grown to over 8,000 residents, with three golf courses and aWinn-Dixie supermarket.[8] Between 2010 and 2019, The Villages was the top-selling master-planned community in the United States, with 24,440 homes sold.[9]
The Villages operates under community development districts (CDDs), which manage infrastructure and amenities. In 2013, theInternal Revenue Service (IRS) ruled that $426 million in bonds issued by a CDD were not tax-exempt, as the district did not qualify as a government entity, resulting in approximately $750,000 in legal fees for residents.[10][11]
Since the 2010s, The Villages has expanded southward, acquiring land in Sumter and Marion counties. In 2017, the Holding Company of the Villages purchased 8,000 acres south ofFlorida State Road 44 and 2,600 acres near County Road 470 for residential and commercial development, with plans for approximately 4,500 homes.[12][13]
The Villages is governed by community development districts and neighborhood declarations of restrictions, regulating aspects like landscaping and exterior modifications. An architectural review committee, composed of residents, oversees property alterations.[14] As anage-restricted community, at least 80% of homes must have a resident aged 55 or older, and persons under 19 may not reside permanently, except in designated family subdivisions.[15][16]
The Villages is acensus-designated place (CDP) spanningSumter,Marion, andLake counties incentral Florida. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the CDP covers a total area of 33.95 square miles (87.9 km2), of which 32.65 square miles (84.6 km2) is land and 1.30 square miles (3.4 km2), or 3.83%, is water.[2] It is located approximately 55 miles (89 km) northwest ofOrlando and 80 miles (130 km) northeast ofTampa, with the city ofWildwood to the west and south, and the town ofLady Lake and city ofFruitland Park to the east.[2]
The broader master-planned community extends beyond the CDP, covering approximately 57 square miles (150 km2) across Sumter, Marion, and Lake counties, including areas north ofFlorida State Road 44 and south to five miles south ofCounty Road 470.[17] The community maintains an extensive network of private roads, totaling about 750 miles (1,210 km) as of 2018.[18]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 8,333 | — | |
| 2010 | 51,442 | 517.3% | |
| 2020 | 79,077 | 53.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[19] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[20] | Pop 2010[21] | Pop 2020[22] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 8,100 | 49,840 | 75,374 | 97.20% | 96.89% | 95.32% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 41 | 303 | 525 | 0.49% | 0.59% | 0.66% |
| Native American orAlaska Native (NH) | 7 | 51 | 50 | 0.08% | 0.10% | 0.06% |
| Asian (NH) | 44 | 340 | 616 | 0.53% | 0.66% | 0.78% |
| Pacific Islander orNative Hawaiian (NH) | 1 | 6 | 9 | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Some other race (NH) | 1 | 12 | 135 | 0.01% | 0.02% | 0.17% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 31 | 122 | 958 | 0.37% | 0.24% | 1.21% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 108 | 768 | 1,410 | 1.30% | 1.49% | 1.78% |
| Total | 8,333 | 51,442 | 79,077 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 79,077 people, 45,634 households, and 30,701 families residing in the CDP.[23]
As of 2019, persons under five years accounted for 0.1% of the population, persons under 18 years accounted for 0.8%, persons 65 years and over accounted for 81.6%, and 53.6% of the population was female.[24] Median household income in 2019 was $63,841.[24]
In 2018, themedian age for both sexes in The Villages metropolitan statistical area is 67.4, with this being 29 years older than a typical American and five years older than the median age of residents in the next-oldest county in the United States, which is on theHawaiian island ofMolokai.[25]
According toPolitico, as of 2018, The Villages was the home of the largestveteran population anywhere in the United States that does not have amilitary base, with 16.3 percent of the population former military.[26][27]
Circa 2014, large groups of residents are from theMidwest andNortheast, withStaten Island supplying many of the residents.[28]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 51,442 people, 22,511 households, and 16,721 families residing in the CDP.[29]
In The Villages, home ownership reflects the community's status as anage-restricted retirement destination. According to a 2020 analysis by theConsumer Financial Protection Bureau, women purchased 468 homes compared to 406 by men, a ratio of approximately 1.15:1, indicating a higher proportion of female buyers compared to other U.S. metropolitan areas.[30]
A 2021Realtor.com report noted that the averagedown payment for homes in The Villages was 27.1%, among the highest in the United States, with a median home list price of $366,950.[31]
According to an investigative report byWFTV News in Orlando, crime in The Villages is low and usually imported from other areas outside the community. The report stated thatproperty crime andcrimes of opportunity are approximately one-third lower than the average for the state of Florida. According to federal statistics, the statistics forviolent crimes in The Villages area is half the state average. Rates ofdriving under the influence charges are approximately equivalent to those of other similarly sized places in Florida.[32]
The Villages supports a diverse economy centered on retail, healthcare, and services tailored to itsage-restricted population. As of 2016, the community had developed approximately 5.7 million square feet of commercial space, hosting businesses such as restaurants, specialty retail, and medical facilities.[33]
Commercial areas include three town centers—Spanish Springs, Lake Sumter Landing, and Brownwood Paddock Square—each around 500,000 square feet, featuring a mix of shops, dining, entertainment, and services.[34] The community hosts 18 grocery stores, including ninePublix supermarkets, threeWinn-Dixie stores,The Fresh Market,Sprouts Farmers Market,Target, twoWalmart Supercenters, and aWalmart Neighborhood Market.[33]Citizens First Bank, a localcommunity bank, operates 12 branches within The Villages.[35] Commercial spaces maintain high occupancy rates, averaging around 97% as of 2018.[33]
From 2007 to 2017, The VillagesMetropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) saw significant economic growth, with its gross domestic product (GDP) increasing by 51.4% to $2.1 billion.[36] Between 2010 and 2018, the MSA added approximately 13,900 jobs, primarily in retail, healthcare, and construction, driven by the community’s expansion.[37]
In 2015, the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, a venue with over 1,000 seats, opened.[38] The Studio Tierra Del Sol, ablack box theatre with seating for 100, opened in 2016.[39]
Fictitious historical markers and architectural details provide an atmosphere for the residents. One historian wrote, "The Villages' faux history gives a patina of stability and continuity to a highly volatile region and stage of life."[40][41] Many plaques represent the "downtown areas" as if events derived from notions of an idyllic small town in the 1800s had occurred there.[42] Such "American myths" feature in the designs for Brownwood, Lake Sumter Landing, and Spanish Springs.[43]
The Villages operates golf courses, recreation centers, softball fields, a polo stadium called The Villages Polo Stadium,[44] a woodworking shop, and a lifelong learning college.[45] There are also outdoor target archery ranges.[citation needed]
The Villages hosts over 3,500 resident-led clubs, offering activities such as sports, arts, crafts, music, and social gatherings, which foster community engagement among its age-restricted population. Examples include thePickleball Club, The Villages Woodworkers Club,Line Dance Club, The Villages Single Seniors, The Villages Garden Club, and the Veterans Club, catering to diverse interests from athletics to social connections.[46]
The Villages host The Senior Games each April, where approximately 2,000 residents compete in hundreds of athletic events. The top five athletes in each age division then compete in the Florida Senior Games. For 18 years, The Senior Games have taken place in The Villages.[47][48]
The Villages offers extensive recreational facilities and activities tailored to itsage-restricted population, primarily funded through a monthly amenities fee of approximately $189.[49] These include golf courses, recreation centers, resident-led clubs, parks, and trails, fostering an active lifestyle for residents.[50]
The Villages operates 56 golf courses with 729 holes, including 42 nine-holeexecutive golf courses, 12 country club championship courses, and two specialty putting courses.[51] A golf instruction academy provides lessons and clinics for residents.[52]
The Villages operates over 100 recreation centers, offering facilities for sports, fitness, and social activities.[53] These include courts for pickleball, tennis, bocce, shuffleboard, and horseshoes, as well as swimming pools, billiards, fitness centers, and spaces for theatrical and musical productions.[50] Notable centers, such as the Eisenhower Regional Recreation Center, feature unique amenities like military history exhibits.[54] The Enrichment Academy, launched in 2017, offers over 140 fee-based courses in topics like scuba diving, culinary arts, and photography.[50]
Over 3,000 resident-led clubs provide opportunities for social and recreational engagement, including the Pickleball Club, The Villages Woodworkers Club, Line Dance Club, The Villages Single Seniors, The Villages Garden Club, and the Veterans Club.[55] Additional activities include archery, air gun ranges, volleyball, croquet, and fishing, with specialized programs like S.T.A.R. for adults with special needs.[50] Weekly events, such as live music and trivia, occur at town squares and recreation centers.[56]
The Villages features numerous parks, dog parks, and fitness trails, open daily from dawn to dusk.[57] Notable areas include Lake Sumter Landing’s waterfront park, Fenney Springs Nature Trail, and four dog parks (Paradise, Mulberry, Atlas, and Dudley).[58] These spaces support activities like walking, picnicking, and pet recreation, enhancing the community’s outdoor lifestyle.[50]
The Villages operates under a system ofCommunity Development Districts (CDDs) and local government jurisdictions acrossSumter,Marion, andLake counties, serving itsage-restricted population.[59] The community is known for high voter turnout, with approximately 80% participation in elections as of 2012, and a significant Republican voter base.[60]
The Villages is located inFlorida's 11th congressional district, represented byRepublicanDaniel Webster.[61] At the state level, it falls withinFlorida Senate District 12, represented by RepublicanDennis Baxley, andFlorida House of Representatives District 26, represented by RepublicanKeith Truenow.[62][63] County representation includes Sumter County Districts 1 and 3, Marion County District 3, and Lake County District 1.[64][65][66]
Most of The Villages is governed by 17 Community Development Districts (CDDs), special-purpose local governments under Florida law, responsible for infrastructure maintenance, recreation, public safety, sanitation, and open spaces.[59] Each CDD is managed by a board of supervisors, with funding fromproperty taxes and user fees, such as the monthly amenities fee.[59] Four additional districts—Village Center (VCCDD), Sumter Landing (SLCDD), Brownwood (BCDD), and North Sumter County Utility (NSCUDD)—handle commercial areas, utilities, and services, overseen by boards composed of developer affiliates due to the absence of residents in these zones.[67] Portions inLady Lake fall under municipal jurisdiction, outside some CDDs.[59] Two homeowners associations, the Property Owners Association (POA) and The Villages Homeowners Association (VHA), address resident concerns and community standards.[68]
The Villages is a stronghold for theRepublican Party, with registered Republicans outnumbering Democrats two-to-one as of 2012.[60] Its high voter turnout and conservative lean make it a frequent stop for Republican candidates, including former presidentsGeorge W. Bush andDonald Trump, who visited in 2004 and 2019–2020, respectively, and vice presidentsDick Cheney,Sarah Palin, andMike Pence.[60][69][70] The community’s political significance stems from its large, engaged retiree population, drawing campaign visits from figures likeMarco Rubio,Rick Scott, andMitt Romney.[71]
The Villages is primarily an age-restricted community, prohibiting full-time residents under age 19 except in three designated family-unit neighborhoods (Bison Valley, Oak Meadows, and Spring Arbor) or through hardship exemptions granted by the Village Center Community Development District.[72] School zoning applies for tax purposes and the few families residing in these neighborhoods.
The Villages Charter Schools, a K–12charter school in unincorporated Sumter County, serves children of employees working directly for The Villages, its subcontractors, or businesses located within the community.[76] Children residing in family-unit neighborhoods or granted exemptions do not automatically qualify for enrollment unless a parent meets these employment criteria.[77]
The Villages offers lifelong learning opportunities through the **Enrichment Academy**, launched in 2017 by the Recreation and Parks Department. The academy provides over 140 fee-based, noncredit courses covering topics such asscuba diving,literature,philosophy,culinary arts,foreign language,photography, andtechnology. Classes are held at designated recreation centers and approved sites throughout the community.[78][79]
Television channels from the Orlando market serve the Villages, although channels from the Tampa market also cover the area. It is also served by radio stations from both the Orlando and Ocala areas and by area newspapers such as theOrlando Sentinel, theTampa Bay Times, the LeesburgDaily Commercial, and the OcalaStar-Banner.
A documentary calledSome Kind of Heaven, about four residents of The Villages, was released in January 2021.[80] The documentaryThe Bubble, also released in 2021, depicts life inside The Villages.[81][82]
The Villages developers or their successors own and operate three media properties:
Public radio stationWMFV (89.5) serves the area and is owned by the same group as Orlando public radio stationWMFE-FM, with some variations from WMFE's master schedule.
The Villages development is bounded roughly byUS 27/US 441 to the east,US 301 to the west,County Road 42 to the north, andCounty Road 468 well south of 466A with the development of several new villages, Fenney, and the Brownwood town center in that area. On December 10, 2013, The Villages of Lake-Sumter Inc. agreed to an $8 million deal to purchase the Pine Ridge Dairy tract inFruitland Park, Florida with a planned construction of 2,038 new Villages homes.[84] Although County Road 466 previously served as the central east–west corridor, the addition of homes and facilities south of County Road 466 and in the city ofFruitland Park, Florida has turned County Road 466A into a secondary east–west corridor.[85] Buena Vista Boulevard and Morse Boulevard serve as significant north–south corridors.[86]
The construction of four additional golf cart overpasses were finished between 2020 and 2023. The Chitty Chatty Bridge, crossingFlorida State Road 44 near Rohan Recreation Center and Lake Deaton Plaza, opened to traffic in October 2020. A second overpass, the Brownwood Bridge, which crosses SR 44 near Brownwood Paddock Square, opened to traffic the following December. A third overpass, the Water Lily Bridge crossingFlorida's Turnpike near Water Lily Recreation Center, opened in March 2021. The Southern Oaks Bridge, also crossing the Turnpike just south of the Okahumpka Service Plaza, opened in August 2023.
Sumter County Transit operates The Villages shuttle. They provide various weekday loops through the Villages.[87]
The Villages developers operate a trolley-style bus tour of the community from the sales and information center at The Market Square in Lake Sumter Landing.
Until 2004, when the train was shortened toSavannah, Georgia,Amtrak'sPalmetto (then on a New York–Tampa itinerary) served adjacentWildwood. Amtrak'sAmtrak Thruway bus service stops in The Villages. The bus travels fromJacksonville toDade City and is timed to meet arrivals and departures of theSilver Star train in Jacksonville.
In early 2018, The Villages was chosen for apilot program offeringautonomous taxis in the area of Lake Sumter Landing. This made The Villages one of the first cities in the United States to offer paid taxi services using autonomous vehicles throughout the community.[88] In the early stages of the program, the vehicle was to have a safety driver in the driver's seat, and later, the driver was to be removed, with the automobile monitored from a control station. The taxis were to be operated by Voyage Auto, astartup company fromSan Jose, California. As of 2019[update], The Villages held a 0.5 percent stake in Voyage Auto.[89][90]
The effort to present a "fanciful past" for The Villages through fictionalized plaques and building details demonstrates "the role that history plays in retirement migration."[40][94] Critics have negatively compared this presentation to the approach ofDisney theme parks, claiming that the plaques generally do not address ethnic minorities or conflict.[42] Amanda Brian argued in her book, "The Villages' 'history' whitewashes Florida's past and celebrates a straightforward tale of economic growth."[95]
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Municipalities and communities ofSumter County, Florida,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Tallahassee (capital) | |
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