The Villages, FL
The largest 55+ retirement community in the US. 130K+ residents, 50+ golf courses, golf-cart-only infrastructure.
Data as of 2026-04-01. Refreshed quarterly.
The Villages is the largest age-restricted (55+) community in the US — about 130,000 residents spread across Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties. Built incrementally since the 1980s, it now spans 32 square miles, with 700+ miles of golf-cart-only paths connecting 60+ neighborhood pools, 50+ golf courses, three town squares, and a dedicated healthcare network.
Buyer pool is overwhelmingly 55+ retirees relocating from the Midwest + Northeast. Snowbird-then-permanent transition is a common pattern. The community's social fabric (over 3,000 chartered clubs) is the dominant value proposition + the hardest-to-replicate moat.
Inventory is dominated by manufactured + modular homes (cheaper end) + courtyard villas + designer homes (mid + high). The Villages' developer (The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc.) controls new-build inventory tightly; resale market is the main flow.
What makes it distinctive
Things that move the needle.
55+ age restriction (real)
Federal HUD-compliant: at least one occupant must be 55+. No permanent residents under 19. Enforcement is strict + impacts resale buyer pool.
Golf-cart-only infrastructure
700+ miles of dedicated golf-cart paths connect every neighborhood + town square. Many residents don't own a car. This is structural to the community's identity.
Healthcare access
The Villages Health (an Anthem subsidiary) operates a community-wide primary care network. UF Health + AdventHealth have specialty clinics in the area.
Resale market dynamics
Resale prices are sensitive to the developer's new-build pricing — developer has been raising prices aggressively, pulling resales up. Watch for developer announcements.
Want to buy in The Villages?
REHL agents in Sumter / Lake / Marion Counties know the inventory, the HOA rules, the school zones, and the negotiation patterns. Get pre-qualified + matched with the right agent.
Get matched in The Villages
A REHL-vetted lender + a local agent will reach out within one business day.
Frequently asked
Common questions about The Villages.
Are kids / grandkids allowed?
Visit yes (up to 30 days per year typical), live no. Permanent residents must be 19+; at least one per household must be 55+. Federal Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) governs.
What's the year-round vs seasonal split?
Roughly 60% year-round + 40% seasonal at this point. Seasonal residents typically own + return Nov-April.
Data is hand-curated by REHL editors from a mix of public records, MLS feed inputs, and listing aggregator analytics. Refreshed at least quarterly; the "as of" date above is current. Numbers shift constantly in active markets — for the most current view of any specific property, ask the REHL agent we match you with. We aim for honest, not flattering.
School ratings draw from a blend of state assessments and public school-rating databases; verify zoning for your specific address before relying on these scores. Property tax estimates assume primary-residence homestead and standard millage rates as of the publish date.