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Orange County, FL

RANK #873 / 996  ·  POP 1,427,403  ·  FL

PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.3%

Orange County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Orange County?

Known for its iconic theme parks, Orange County, Florida, is a major travel destination that blends metropolitan energy with suburban areas. Orlando, the county seat, is centrally located in the state, approximately an hour from both Atlantic and Gulf Coast beaches. The county offers extensive outdoor recreation, including over 150 parks, gardens, and recreation areas. Residents can explore more than 19,000 acres of conservation lands, hike over 90 miles of trails, or enjoy water activities at locations like Kelly Park, known for its natural spring. The climate features year-round sunshine, though summers bring heat and humidity. Commuting primarily relies on cars, with major routes like I-4, SR-408, SR-417, and SR-528, though SunRail and LYNX bus services offer public transportation options.

Orange County attracts a diverse population, including families, young professionals, and retirees. The public school system, Orange County Public Schools, is highly rated and serves a large student body. The economy, while historically tied to citrus, has diversified beyond tourism to include healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing. Major institutions like the University of Central Florida contribute to a skilled workforce. Recent economic developments show growth in sectors such as life sciences, aerospace, and digital media, with ongoing investments in infrastructure and corporate expansions.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
3.7x

Undervalued relative to economy

GDP Growth
+3.0%

Above national median

Home Prices
-3.6%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
3.0

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
14x

Above national median (13x)

Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Orange County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
1,427,403
+1.24% YoY
Median Household Income
$72,629
Median Home Value
$329,000
-3.61% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,553
Average Annual Pay
$67,805
+4.6% YoY
Employment
949,918
+1.4% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2208
Near national average
Migration Inflow
3.72%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$425,000
Days on Market
58
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
4.8
Balanced market
Sale-to-List Ratio
97.0%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
11.9%
Listings w/ Price Drops
29.2%
Building Permits (2024)
8,052
Single-Family Permits
4,810

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$324M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
HostDime Flagship Data Center and Corporate HQ ("Supernova")
HostDime
$100M Under Construction
Amazon Fulfillment Center - Lake Nona
Amazon
$100M Operating
Taylor Creek Solar Energy Center
FMPA and 16 Florida public power utilities (including OUC)
$74M Operating
Orange County Floating Solar Array (Southern Regional Water Supply Facility)
Orange County Utilities
$50M Operating

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.0% 57 percentile
Population Growth +1.2% 77 percentile
Income Growth +10.4% 85 percentile
Vacancy Rate 3.2% 1 percentile
Home Price Change -3.6% 7 percentile
Rent Growth +0.2% 12 percentile
Price/Rent 14x 42 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orange County, FL a good place to move to?

Orange County has a Boom Town Index score of 12/100, ranking #873 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.4% and a median household income of $72,629, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Orange County affordable?

The median home value in Orange County is $329,000 with median rent at $1,553/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2208, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Orange County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +1.2% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.4%. Home values changed -3.6% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Orange County?

Yes — 3.72% of Orange County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Jefferson County, OH 22 Ada County, ID 22 Robertson County, TN 22 Leon County, FL 22 Hall County, GA 22 Honolulu County, HI 22 Canadian County, OK 22 Yolo County, CA 22