RANK #483 / 1001 NAT · #19 / 41 FL · POP 427,415
1YR FORECAST: -2.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
Kissimmee, the county seat of Osceola County, Florida, offers a blend of historic charm and access to major attractions. Located south of Orlando, the commute to downtown Orlando typically takes 25-35 minutes via Florida's Turnpike or US 441, with SunRail providing a commuter rail option. The community maintains a "small-town hospitality" feel despite its proximity to larger urban centers. Osceola County boasts extensive natural amenities, including the headwaters of the Florida Everglades at Shingle Creek Regional Park, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, canoeing, and kayaking. Lake Tohopekaliga is another prominent feature, known for boating and fishing. The county also features over 40 parks and recreation facilities.
Life in Osceola County attracts a diverse population, including families and those seeking a balance of affordability and access to amenities. The School District of Osceola County serves over 80,000 students across 60 schools, offering various academic and career programs. The economy, historically reliant on tourism and agriculture, is diversifying. Recent developments include a focus on advanced technology and manufacturing, particularly at NeoCity, a 500-acre high-tech campus. This initiative aims to create technology-focused jobs and stimulate economic growth across various sectors.
Osceola County is one of 76 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -3.2% matches the profile's typical -3.7%.
See all 76 Sun Belt Post-Surge Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 23.3x — 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Osceola County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
US Development Data Center Campus
US Development
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
East Osceola County Infrastructure Agreement (Edgewater East and West)
BTI Partners, Osceola County, City of St. Cloud
|
$261M | Planned |
|
Osceola County Solar Portfolio (3 projects)
Invenergy, Harmony Florida Solar LLC
|
$224M | Operating/Under Construction |
|
NeoCity Development (Center for Neovation & BRIDG)
Osceola County, SkyWater Technology, BRIDG, imec
|
$200M | Operating |
|
La Rosa Holdings Corp. AI Data Center
La Rosa Holdings Corp.
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Osceola County scores 51/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#483). Median household income is $72,637 and job growth is running at +1.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Osceola County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $353,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,746/month on average.
Osceola County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +5.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.7% clip. Home values shifted -3.2% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.93% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Osceola County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.