RANK #770 / 1001 NAT · #24 / 41 FL · POP 143,408
1YR FORECAST: -2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Sumter County, Florida, is often recognized for The Villages, a large, master-planned retirement community that spans parts of the county and is known for its extensive amenities and active lifestyle. Located in central Florida, approximately 45 miles northwest of Orlando and 20 miles south of Ocala, the county offers a blend of rural charm and developed communities. Commutes to larger cities are manageable, with easy access to I-75 and Florida's Turnpike. The community feel varies, from the bustling town squares of The Villages to the quieter, more traditional towns like Bushnell, the county seat. The area boasts natural beauty, with opportunities for hiking, kayaking, fishing, and birdwatching in places like Lake Panasoffkee and various wildlife management areas.
Life in Sumter County caters to a diverse population, including a significant number of retirees drawn to The Villages, which offers numerous recreational activities and social clubs. Families also reside in towns like Bushnell and Lake Panasoffkee, which have public schools rated above average. The economy is expanding beyond its agricultural roots, with growth in sectors such as healthcare and manufacturing. Major investments are flowing into energy-related industries, contributing to job creation and economic diversification. The county's central location and transportation network also make it a distribution hub within Florida.
Sumter 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 -1.1% runs above the profile's typical -3.7%.
See all 76 Sun Belt Post-Surge Correction counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 21.8x — home prices are high 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.
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: 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Sumter Solar Project
Recurrent Energy
|
$150M | Permitting/Planned |
|
Half Moon Renewable Energy Center
Duke Energy Florida
|
$75M | Under Construction |
|
Road Construction CR-525E & Buena Vista Blvd Ext S of SR 44
Sumter County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
New Residential Communities (e.g., Sumter Villas, Twisted Oaks)
Various (e.g., Century Complete, Pulte Homes)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 22/100, Sumter County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $76,508 combined with job growth of +3.7% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Sumter County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $385,400 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.20 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,269/month on average.
Sumter County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +4.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.7% clip. Home values shifted -1.1% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.55% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Sumter County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.