Your perfect retreat is closer than you think.
Lake County has something for everyone. Nature-lovers will find an abundance of options – like hiking through endless acres of preserves, viewing rare birds or paddling pristine Blueways. Anglers will be lured by the prospect of catching a trophy bass on one of over 1,000 freshwater lakes, while treasure hunters will enjoy finding that rare antique at the area's many unique downtown districts.
So come explore Lake County, and experience “Real Florida. Real Close.” Just 35 minutes outside of Orlando.
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Cities & Towns in Lake County
Four Corners, FL
Population 38,983
Clermont, FL (Photos)
Population 33,520
Leesburg, FL (Photos)
Population 22,243
Eustis, FL (Photos)
Population 20,264
Tavares, FL (Photos)
Population 16,199
Lady Lake, FL (Photos)
Population 15,118
Mount Dora, FL (Photos)
Population 13,620
Groveland, FL (Photos)
Population 12,465
Minneola, FL (Photos)
Population 11,058
Fruitland Park, FL (Photos)
Population 6,598
Mount Plymouth, FL
Population 5,610
Mascotte, FL (Photos)
Population 5,552
Umatilla, FL
(Photos)
Population 3,693
Silver Lake, FL
Population 1,719
Astatula, FL
Population 1,637
Montverde, FL
Population 1,622
Howey-in-the-Hills, FL
Population 1,462
Astor, FL
Population 1,418
Paisley, FL
Population 1,338
Yalaha, FL
Population 1,200
Lake Kathryn, FL
Population 1,034
Lake Mack-Forest Hills, FL
Population 802
Ferndale, FL
Population 622
Pine Lakes, FL
Population 537
Lisbon, FL
Population 345
Sorrento, FL
Population 343
Pittman, FL
Population 246
Okahumpka, FL
Population 146
Altoona, FL
Population 100
Metro Orlando's least populated county is blowing up.
Lake County draws homebuyers from out of state as well as metro Orlando's more urban areas who are searching for more affordable homes and smaller crowds. In fact, Lake County's 3.1% population growth from 2020-2021 was the second-fastest in metro Orlando, just behind Osceola County's 3.8%. Lake County added nearly 12,000 residents in that timeframe, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Where's the best place for these new residents to scoop up a home? Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based neighborhoods and schools rating site Niche.com this year analyzed the best places to settle in Lake County based on home values, property taxes, local schools and more.
To see Niche.com's top 7 Lake County communities, check out the slideshow above.
Despite Lake County's rapid growth, it remains the cheapest metro county for house hunters. The average purchase price in April was $394,545, compared to $419,042 in Seminole County, $448,556 in Osceola County and $466,825 in Orange County, according to the Orlando Regional Realtor Association.
Homebuyers snatched up 1,879 single-family homes in Lake County in the first quarter, according to Florida Realtors. That was a slight 0.5% uptick from first-quarter 2021.
Local housing market trends are important, as every home sale in the state has an estimated local economic impact of $112,500, according to the National Association of Realtors. In addition, the housing market often is considered a reflection of the local economy's overall health.
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