Orlando
RANK #691 / 996 NAT · #10 / 41 FL · POP 1,427,403
1YR FORECAST: -1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +19%
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.
Above national median
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
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.
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 →
| 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.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 30/100, Orange County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $72,629 combined with job growth of +1.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Orange County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $329,000 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.22 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,553/month on average.
Orange County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.4% clip. Home values shifted -3.6% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.72% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Orange County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.