RANK #837 / 996 · POP 386,829 · FL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.9%
Mount Dora, known for its historic downtown and annual arts festival, offers a distinctive charm within Lake County, Florida. Located in the central part of the state, roughly 30 miles northwest of Orlando, Lake County provides a quieter, more rural atmosphere while remaining accessible to urban amenities. The county is characterized by rolling hills and over 1,000 lakes, including the Harris Chain of Lakes, making it a destination for boating, fishing, and water sports. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore numerous parks and trails, such as Lake Louisa State Park with its multi-use trails and cabins, or Ferndale Preserve, offering picturesque views. The climate allows for year-round outdoor activities.
Life in Lake County often appeals to those seeking a balance between natural surroundings and suburban convenience. Many residents commute to Orlando for work, with the SR 50 corridor being a common route. The public school system, Lake County Schools, operates 49 schools and is an A-rated district. The economy is experiencing growth, with a low unemployment rate and rising median advertised salaries. Tourism is a significant sector, evidenced by increased hotel occupancy and tourist development tax collections. The county has also seen residential real estate activity, with increases in both single-family home and townhome/condo sales.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Housing looks overvalued at 7.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lake County has a Boom Town Index score of 16/100, ranking #837 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.4% and a median household income of $66,239, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Lake County is $262,500 with median rent at $1,323/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2523, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +3.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.4%. Home values changed -3.7% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.29% of Lake County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.