Clermont
RANK #780 / 996 NAT · #19 / 41 FL · POP 386,829
1YR FORECAST: -0.8%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 21/100, Lake County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $66,239 combined with job growth of +2.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Lake County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $262,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,323/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Lake County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.4% clip. Home values shifted -3.7% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.29% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lake County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.