The Villages, Florida
The Villages is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sumter and Marion counties in the U.S. state of Florida. It shares its name with a broader master-planned, age-restricted community that spreads into portions of Lake County. The overall development lies in central Florida, approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of Ocala and approximately 45 miles (72 km) northwest of Orlando. As of the 2020 census, the population of the CDP was 79,077.[3]
The Villages | |
|---|---|
Sumter Landing in The Villages | |
Logo | |
| Nickname(s): Florida's Friendliest Hometown, Boomer Paradise | |
Interactive map of The Villages | |
| Coordinates: 28°54′12″N 81°59′19″W / 28.90333°N 81.98861°W[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Florida |
| County | Sumter, Marion, Lake |
| Area | |
| • Total | 33.95 sq mi (87.94 km2) |
| • Land | 32.65 sq mi (84.57 km2) |
| • Water | 1.30 sq mi (3.37 km2) |
| Elevation | 52 ft (16 m) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 79,077 |
| • Density | 2,421.89/sq mi (935.08/km2) |
| Demonym | Villager |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code(s) | 32159, 32162, 32163, 34731, 34785, 34762 |
| Area code | 352 |
| FIPS code | 12-71625[4] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2402925[1] |
| Website | thevillages |
The Villages covers an area of approximately 32 square miles (83 km2),[5] an area larger than Manhattan, and is expanding mainly to the south of the current community.[6] It is made up of 17 special purpose community development districts (CDD), which are controlled by a board of supervisors (BoS), five individuals elected by the landowners of the district.[7] H. Gary Morse, the original owner's son, transferred most direct ownership in the company to his three children in 2006; Morse died in 2014.[8]
The community is the center of The Villages metropolitan area, which consists of all of Sumter County and is included in the Orlando–Lakeland–Deltona combined statistical area; and Marion County is included in the Ocala, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to May 2023 Census Bureau data, between July 1, 2021, and July 1, 2022, The Villages metro area grew by 7.5% or 10,103 people to 144,970 residents. The area was the fastest-growing metropolitan statistical area in the country.[9][10]
History edit
Harold Schwartz, a Michigan businessman, began selling land tracts via mail order in The Villages area in the 1960s. He and his business partner, Al Tarrson, were forced to close this aspect of the business following the implementation of a 1968 federal law banning real estate sales by mail order.[11][12]
Stuck with considerable portions of Florida land, in the early 1970s, Schwartz and Tarrson began the development of a mobile home park, Orange Blossom Gardens, in the northwestern corner of Lake County.[13] By the early 1980s, the community had sold only 400 units. Schwartz bought out Tarrson's interest in improving the business and brought his son, H. Gary Morse, on board in 1983.
Morse noted that the thriving retirement communities (such as Del Webb's Sun City developments) offered numerous well-maintained amenities to the residents. They also had diverse and nearby commercial development. Morse began to upgrade the development significantly. Their sales improved in the mid-1980s. Schwartz began to buy large tracts of land in nearby Sumter and Marion counties for future expansion. In 1992, Morse officially changed the overall development name to The Villages. The development is still controlled in all significant aspects by descendants of Schwartz and Morse.
By the early 1990s, The Villages had more than 8,000 residents, three golf courses, the first Winn✓Dixie supermarket opened, just four restaurants and nightly dances were held in a tent.[14]
Expansion edit
In January 2017, the Holding Company of the Villages announced the purchase of 8,000 acres of land south of Florida State Road 44 in and around the villages of Southern Oaks and Fenney. In the spring of 2017, The Villages announced a planned acquisition of 2,600 acres north and south of County Road 470 along the east side of Florida's Turnpike for future development. The deal has passed due diligence by the Leesburg City Commission, and zoning ordinance changes were approved by the Leesburg Planning Commission (with the city commission giving final approval).[15] The initial plans call for the building of approximately 4,500 homes with some commercial development also being planned.[16]
According to data from RCLCO Real Estate, the Holding Company of the Villages sold 2,231 homes in 2017, a 13% increase over 2016. The Villages was the top-selling master-planned community in the United States in 2017 and one of only four communities to sell more than 1,000 homes.[17]
The Villages also claimed the title of the best-selling master-planned community of the decade, with 24,440 new home sales from 2010 through 2019.[18]
In January 2024, RCLCO Real Estate Advisors named The Villages the top-selling planned community for the eleventh consecutive year, with 3,029 new homes sold in 2023, a decrease of 23 percent over 2024.[19]
Structure edit
A declaration of restrictions has been created for each neighborhood, which regulates the design and operational aspects, such as landscaping, repairs and maintenance, placement of satellite dishes, hedges, etc. An architectural review committee controls the composition and consistency of the exterior of the residential properties within The Villages. The committee, which consists of Villages residents, reviews and approves alterations and modifications to the properties and homes built by the developer. Committee members serve for three years and are selected by the sitting committee.[20]
To qualify for an exception to the Housing for Older Persons Act prohibitions against discrimination, at least 80 percent of the homes within The Villages must have at least one person 55 years of age or older residing in the home.[21] Persons under the age of 19 years are not permitted to reside within The Villages unless an exemption is granted. Three subdivisions have been designated as family units,[22] and are not subject to this restriction. Otherwise, persons under 19 (such as grandchildren) can visit for up to 30 days within a calendar year.[23]
Geography edit
According to the United States Census Bureau, as of 2022, the CDP has a total area of 34.0 square miles (88 km2), of which 32.7 square miles (85 km2) are land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km2), or 3.83%, are water.[5] The Villages is located approximately 55 miles (89 km) northwest of Orlando and 80 miles (130 km) northeast of Tampa. It is bordered to the west and south by the city of Wildwood in Sumter County and to the east by the town of Lady Lake and city of Fruitland Park in Lake County.
As of 2018, The Villages has approximately 750 miles (1,210 km) of mostly private roads.[24]
According to The Villages website, north of Florida State Road 44, there is approximately 37 square miles (96 km2) of land. From SR 44 to CR 470 there is approximately 20 square miles (52 km2) of land. Currently under development and/or complete, there is a combined total land area of approximately 57 square miles (150 km2), or over 36,000 acres of land.[25]
Demographics edit
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 8,333 | — | |
| 2010 | 51,442 | 517.3% | |
| 2020 | 79,077 | 53.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[26] | |||
| Race | Pop 2010[27] | Pop 2020[28] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White (NH) | 49,840 | 75,374 | 96.89% | 95.32% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 303 | 525 | 0.59% | 0.66% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 51 | 50 | 0.10% | 0.06% |
| Asian (NH) | 340 | 616 | 0.66% | 0.78% |
| Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH) | 6 | 9 | 0.01% | 0.01% |
| Some other race (NH) | 12 | 135 | 0.02% | 0.17% |
| Two or more races/Multiracial (NH) | 122 | 958 | 0.24% | 1.21% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 768 | 1,410 | 1.49% | 1.78% |
| Total | 51,442 | 79,077 |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 79,077 people, 45,634 households, and 30,701 families residing in the CDP.[29]
As of 2019, persons under 5 years accounted for 0.1% of the population, persons under 18 years accounted for 0.8%, persons 65 years and over accounted for 81.6%, and 53.6% of the population was female.[30] Median household income in 2019 was $63,841.[30]
In 2018, the median age for both sexes in The Villages metropolitan statistical area is 67.4, with this being 29 years older than a typical American and five years older than the median age of residents in the next-oldest county in the United States, which is on the Hawaiian island of Molokai.[31]
According to Politico, as of 2018, The Villages was the home of the largest veteran population anywhere in the United States that does not have a military base, with 16.3 percent of the population former military.[32][33]
The Villages was ranked number 53 in the Forbes 2017 list of The Best Small Places For Businesses And Careers.[34]
Circa 2014, large groups of residents are from the Midwest and Northeast, with Staten Island supplying many of the residents.[35]
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 51,442 people, 22,511 households, and 16,721 families residing in the CDP.[36]
Home ownership edit
According to the data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, women purchased 468 homes while men bought 406; this means approved mortgages for women as a percentage of approved mortgages for men was 115%, making The Villages the highest rate of the 400 metropolitan areas in the United States.[37]
According to a November 2021 article on Realtor.com, the average down payment on a home in The Villages is 27.1 percent, which is the highest in the U.S., and the median home list price is $366,950.[38]
Crime edit
According to an investigative report by WFTV News in Orlando, crime in The Villages is low and usually imported from other areas outside the community. The report stated that property crime and crimes of opportunity are approximately one-third lower than the average for the state of Florida. According to federal statistics, the statistics for violent crimes in The Villages area is half the state average. Rates of driving under the influence charges are approximately equivalent to those of other similarly-sized places in Florida.[39]
Business edit
As of 2016, The Villages built 5.7 million square feet of commercial business space, with another 3.3 million square feet planned for the near future. Major businesses include restaurants, retail geared toward older Americans, and healthcare providers.[40] The average commercial occupancy rate in The Villages is approximately 97 percent.[41]
Commercial areas in The Villages include town centers, regional shopping centers, and neighborhood retail plazas. The main business areas are the 500,000-square-foot town centers that feature a mixture of retailers, restaurants, entertainment, and service providers.[42] The Villages has a total of 14 grocery stores including seven Publix, three Winn✓Dixie locations, The Fresh Market, Target, Walmart Supercenter, and a Walmart Neighborhood Market.[41] Citizens First Bank, a community bank headquartered in The Villages, has nine locations throughout the community.[43]
In the ten years from 2007 to 2017, The Villages metropolitan statistical area (MSA) was the 9th fastest growing area in the United States, with the GDP growing 51.4% to $2.1 billion.[44] According to state and federal jobs data, between 2010 and 2018 The Villages metropolitan statistical area added 13,893 jobs.[45]
In February 2019, WalletHub, compared the median credit scores of the residents in 2,571 cities, and The Villages scored the highest in the United States with a credit score of 806.[46]
Parks and recreation edit
As a master-planned retirement community, The Villages offers numerous forms of recreation. Most of the costs are paid via the monthly amenities fee assessed to residents (the facilities are owned by the centralized CDDs discussed above).[47]
Golf courses edit
The Villages has many golf courses located throughout the community. The ability to play "Free Golf for Life" is a key component of The Village's advertising campaigns. As of December 2022[update], The Villages operates 56 courses with 729 holes across all courses.[32]
The majority, 42 out of 56, courses[48] are executive golf courses, all of which are 9-hole layouts. It is these courses at which residents of The Villages can play "free golf for life" (i.e., no greens fees) and can walk the courses for free as well; fees are charged for riding a golf cart on the courses. These courses are owned by the Villages residents and managed by the Villages Community Center Development District (VCCDD)[49] In 2020, more than 2.5 million rounds of golf were played on the executive golf courses.[50]
The remaining 13 courses are country club championship courses.[48] Among notable course architects are Arnold Palmer and Nancy Lopez. The Orange Blossom Hills and Tierra Del Sol clubs are 18-hole layouts; the other eight are 27-hole layouts. Residents of The Villages are automatically members of these clubs; however, unlike the executive courses, residents must pay greens fees to play the courses, and the clubs charge for priority tee times. The Villages Developer owns these championship courses and, through an agreement with the VCCDD, is managed by that entity.[51]
The Villages also operates three specialty courses, including the Fenny putt and play multi-functional facility in the Village of Fenney. This course includes a lake stocked with fish and fishing poles, a walking trail, and an area to play croquet and lawn bowling.[52] The Marsh View Pitch & Putt is an 18-hole plus a 19th hole putting challenge. The total yardage of the course is between 1,061 and 1,247 yards. The Clifton Cove Putting Course is 2 nine hole courses.[48]
The Villages also operates a golf instruction academy[53] for all skill levels.
Recreation centers edit
In addition, The Villages operates 100 recreation centers.[54] There are three classes of centers (the number shown are as of December 2020 and are based on the types of swimming pools offered):
- Neighborhood Centers (59; these centers offer local adult-only pools as well as bocce, horseshoe, and shuffleboard courts)[55][54]
- Village Centers (29; these centers offer family pools (except for Silverlake, which has no pool), facilities with billiard meeting rooms and full kitchens, bocce, horseshoe, and shuffleboard courts, plus tennis and pickleball courts)[56][54]
- Regional Centers (12; these centers offer resident-only sports pools (except for Paradise, which offers a family pool), larger venues with stages for theatrical and musical productions, and many of the same features as the village centers; all but two also operate fitness centers for which membership must be purchased)[57][54]
In December 2020, the Aviary Neighborhood Recreation Center opened, making it The Villages’ 100th recreation facility and 29th recreation center.[54]
The Villages operates 11 parks, dog parks, and fitness trails, separate from the recreation centers.
Entertainment edit
The Villages offers various venues for the performing arts. In April 2015, the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, a venue with over 1,000 seats, opened.[58] The Sharon has featured various popular artists such as Frankie Avalon,[59] Willie Nelson,[60] The Beach Boys,[61] Jerry Lewis,[62] Felix Cavaliere,[63] Little River Band,[64] Bobby Rydell,[65] Ray Stevens,[66] The Spinners,[67] Kenny G,[68] and Chubby Checker.[69] The Studio Tierra Del Sol, a black box theatre with seating for 100, opened in November 2016.[70]
Fictitious historical markers and architectural details provide an atmosphere for the residents. Amanda Brian, author of "The Faux History of The Villages, Florida," wrote, "The Villages' faux history gives a patina of stability and continuity to a highly volatile region and stage of life."[71][72] Many plaques represent the "downtown areas" as if events derived from notions of an idyllic small town in the 1800s had occurred there.[73] Such "American myths" feature in the designs for Brownwood, Lake Sumter Landing, and Spanish Springs.[74]
Other activities edit
Beyond the golf courses and recreation centers, The Villages also operates numerous softball fields, a polo stadium (The Villages Polo Stadium),[75] and a woodworking shop, plus the Lifelong Learning College.[76] The newest softball complex, Soaring Eagle, opened in 2015. The Villages offers two seventeen-lane outdoor target archery ranges, one in Paradise Park and the other named Dudley Archery Range in the Village of DeSoto, near Fenney.
Nightly activities are held in The Village's three town squares,[77] Lake Sumter Landing's Market Square[78] and Spanish Springs Town Square.[79] A third town square, Brownwood Paddock Square, opened on October 12, 2012.[80]
Clubs edit
As of 2018, The Villages also offer over 2700 social clubs for residents. Some of the most popular are location focused and based upon where a resident grew up, dance clubs, genealogy clubs, singles clubs, sports clubs, Beatlemaniacs club, and gardening clubs.[81]
Government edit
Residents of The Villages historically have a high election turnout rate of 80%. As of August 2012[update], Republicans outnumber Democrats two-to-one.[82]
A critical part of Central Florida's Republican party, The Villages has been frequently visited on the campaign trail by politicians such as Florida governor Rick Scott and United States senator Marco Rubio. During the 2014 Florida gubernatorial election, Scott visited The Villages on the eve of the election to rally votes.[83] Just before the 2016 United States Senate election in Florida, Rubio stopped off at the temporary Republican Headquarters established at Lake Sumter Landing in The Villages.
The Villages is in Florida's 11th congressional district represented by Representative Daniel Webster.
State representation edit
The entirety of The Villages is within the boundaries of Florida Senate District 12 (represented by Republican Dennis Baxley) and is within the boundaries of Florida House of Representatives District 33 (represented by Republican Brett Hage).
County edit
The portion of The Villages within Lake County is within Lake County District 1.[84]
The portion of The Villages within Marion County is within Marion County District 3.[85]
Areas of The Villages in Sumter County are divided between Sumter County District 1, which takes areas east of Morse Boulevard, and Sumter County District 3, which takes areas west of Morse Boulevard.[86][87]
Local government (Community Development Districts) edit
The majority of The Villages is developed and maintained using several Community Development Districts (CDD).[88] The CDD is a form of special purpose local government available under Florida law. As of August 2007[update], around 225 communities in Florida use this form of government.[88] The portion of The Villages located in Lake County is under the jurisdiction of the city of Lady Lake and is not part of any of the district CDDs, but a portion is under the larger CDDs.
The Villages Community Development Districts are special-purpose districts established under Florida State Statutes. There are currently[when?] 17 CDDs in The Villages, each with its dedicated board of supervisors. The CDDs are responsible for a variety of functions, including:
- Maintenance of roads, sidewalks, and other public infrastructure
- Provision of recreational facilities and services
- Provision of public safety services, such as fire and emergency medical services
- Provision of sanitation services, such as water and wastewater treatment
- Development and maintenance of open space
The CDDs are funded by a combination of property taxes and user fees. All residents of The Villages pay property taxes, while user fees are paid by residents who use specific CDD-provided services, such as recreation facilities or water and wastewater services. The current district setup is as follows:[89]
| District | Location | Number of Residential Units |
|---|---|---|
| District 1 | Consists of approximately 998 acres (4.04 km2) in the northeast corner of Sumter County | 3,420 residential units |
| District 2 | Consists of approximately 990 acres (4.0 km2) in the northeast corner of Sumter County | 3,668 residential units |
| District 3 | Consists of approximately 894.3 acres (3.619 km2) in the northeast corner of Sumter County | 3,762 residential units |
| District 4 | Consists of approximately 1,253.5 acres (5.073 km2) in the southern portion of Marion County | 5,432 residential units |
| District 5 | Consists of approximately 1,408 acres (5.70 km2) in the northeast corner of Sumter County | 6,399 residential units |
| District 6 | Consists of approximately 1,497 acres (6.06 km2) in the northeast corner of Sumter County | 6,677 residential units |
| District 7 | Consists of approximately 976 acres (3.95 km2) in the northeast corner of Sumter County | 4,765 residential units |
| District 8 | Consists of approximately 1,070 acres (4.3 km2) in the northeast corner of Sumter County | 5,140 residential units |
| District 9 | Consists of approximately 1,285.7 acres (5.203 km2) in the northeast corner of Sumter County | 5,409 residential units |
| District 10 | Consists of approximately 1,588.8 acres (6.430 km2) in the northeast corner of Sumter County | 6,639 residential units |
| District 11 | Consists of approximately 692.80 acres (2.8037 km2) in the City of Fruitland Park | 2,055 residential units |
| District 12 | Consists of approximately 1,490 acres (6.0 km2) in the City of Wildwood | 2,490 residential units |
| District 13 | Consists of approximately 2,464.70 acres (9.9743 km2) in the City of Wildwood | Unknown |
The remaining four CDDs are:
- Village Center Community Development District (VCCDD) – located in Lake, Marion, and Sumter counties, VCCDD provides residents with water and sewer utility services, recreation, security, fire protection, and paramedic services. The cost of operations is funded by amenity and utility fees that residents pay monthly. VCCDD also provides for the maintenance of common areas and roadways for commercial areas within its boundaries. The cost of maintenance in commercial areas is funded through commercial maintenance assessments.
- Sumter Landing Community Development District (SLCDD) – located in Sumter County, SLCDD provides recreation and security services to the residents. The cost of operations is funded by amenity fees that residents pay monthly. This CDD also provides for maintaining common areas and roadways for commercial areas within its boundaries. The cost of maintenance in commercial areas is funded through commercial maintenance assessments.
- Brownwood Community Development District (BCDD) – located in Sumter County and provides for the maintenance of common areas and roadways for the 239 acres (0.97 km2) of commercial areas within its boundaries.
- North Sumter County Utility Dependent District (NSCUDD) – provides water, reclaimed water, and wastewater services to residents of The Villages who are north of county route 466A and south of county route 466. The NSCUDD also provides municipal solid waste disposal for the portions of Sumter County, Marion County, and the City of Fruitland Park, which is inside the boundaries of The Villages.
Unlike the residential CDDs, there are no residents within the CDD boundaries. Thus, each district's five-member Board of Supervisors is composed of the developer's employees or affiliates. [90][91]
Ownership associations edit
There are also two homeowners associations in The Villages: The Property Owners Association (POA) and The Villages Homeowners Association (VHA).[92]
Politics edit
The Villages has been a popular election stop and platform for Republican political figures, such as former vice president Dick Cheney, former presidential and vice presidential candidates Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin,[93] former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee,[94] 2016 GOP presidential primary candidates Marco Rubio and Ben Carson, former presidential candidate Rick Santorum, and talk show hosts/authors Glenn Beck[95] and Brian Kilmeade. In the lead-up to the 2016 presidential election, GOP vice presidential nominee Mike Pence visited to campaign for his running mate, Donald Trump.[96]
Presidential and vice presidential visits edit
In October 2004, George W. Bush became the first president to visit The Villages with a rally in the new Lake Sumter Landing Market Square with approximately 20,000 supporters. The visit was less than two weeks before the 2004 United States presidential election while Bush sought to be elected to a second term.[97]
A White House official announced that President Trump would be visiting the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center on August 6, 2019, to speak about Medicare at an invitation-only event.[98] Due to the separate mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and in Dayton, Ohio, Trump postponed the visit.[99]
On October 4, 2019, Trump touched down at Ocala International Airport aboard Air Force One. He briefly greeted officials and supporters before boarding Marine One and flying to The Villages Polo Club.[100] From there, Trump traveled via motorcade to the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center where he delivered an hour-long speech about expanding Medicare eligibility to an invitation-only audience of roughly 1,000 supporters.[101] A live video feed of the event was broadcast to crowds in Spanish Springs Town Square. Trump was the second sitting president to visit The Villages.[102] During his visit to The Villages, Trump said, "I'm thrilled to be here, one of the most famous and thriving communities anywhere in Florida, and really anywhere in the world as far as I'm concerned." At the close of the event, Trump signed an executive order to expand private insurance options for seniors under Medicare.[103][104]
On October 10, 2020, Vice President Mike Pence spoke before a crowd of approximately 1,100 supporters in Brownwood Paddock Square. Topics covered by Pence included support for veterans, the economy and job creation, the administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and NASA funding.[105]
On October 23, 2020, Trump visited The Villages appearing with Governor Ron DeSantis and former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi. After arriving by helicopter on Marine One, he appeared before approximately 10,000 supporters in a field behind The Villages Polo Club. During the speech, Trump said he loved The Villages and joked about moving to the community. Trump became the first sitting U.S. president to visit The Villages twice.[106]
Education edit
Primary and secondary education edit
The following school listings are primarily for tax base purposes only, as The Villages does not allow full-time residents under age 19 except in the three family unit neighborhoods of Bison Valley, Spring Arbor, and Oak Meadows[22] or by exception granted for hardship cases.
- The portion of The Villages located in Marion County is zoned to Lake Weir High School of the Marion County Public Schools.[107] There are no family unit neighborhoods in the Marion County portion of The Villages.
- The portion of The Villages located in Sumter County is zoned to Wildwood Middle High School of Sumter District Schools. There is one family unit neighborhood (Bison Valley) in the Sumter County portion of The Villages.
- The portion of The Villages located in Lake County is zoned to Leesburg High School of the Lake County Schools.[108] Two family unit neighborhoods (Oak Meadows and Spring Arbor) are in the Lake County portion of The Villages.
Although children cannot legally reside in most neighborhoods of The Villages under most circumstances, The Villages Charter Schools is a kindergarten to 12th grade charter school in unincorporated Sumter County.[109] Children can attend the charter school if one or both of their parents work directly for The Villages or one of its direct subcontractors or if a parent works for a business located within The Villages. Children of residents who reside in a family unit neighborhood or by granted exemption do not automatically qualify for attendance based solely on their residence.[110]
Post-secondary education edit
Enrichment Academy edit
In the fall of 2017, The Villages launched The Enrichment Academy with more than 140 fee-based, lifelong learning, noncredit courses on topics such as scuba diving, literature, philosophy and psychology, culinary arts, technology, foreign language, photography, and more. The academy is part of the Recreation and Parks Department and takes place at designated Recreation locations and other approved sites throughout The Villages.[111][112]
Continuing education in the area edit
Sumter District Schools operates the Sumter County Adult Community Education Center in unincorporated Sumter County.[113]
For residents of Lake and Sumter counties, Lake-Sumter State College provides adult education at the South Lake Campus in Clermont, the Leesburg Campus in Leesburg, and the Sumter Campus in unincorporated Sumter County.[114]
College of Central Florida serves residents of Marion County,[115] operating the Ocala Campus and the Hampton Center in Ocala in Marion County and centers and campuses in adjacent counties.[116]
Media edit
The Villages is served by television channels from the Orlando market, although channels from the Tampa market also cover the area. It is also served by radio stations from both the Orlando and Ocala areas and by area newspapers such as the Orlando Sentinel, the Tampa Bay Times, the Leesburg Daily Commercial, and the Ocala Star-Banner.
A documentary called Some Kind of Heaven, about four residents of The Villages, was released in January 2021.[117] The documentary The Bubble, also released in 2021, depicts life inside The Villages.[118][119]
Local media edit
The Villages developers or their successors own and operate three media properties:
- The Villages News Network (VNN), which is aired on the local Comcast cable network.
- The Villages Daily Sun, a local newspaper with 43,610 paid subscribers.[120]
- Radio station WVLG (640), carrying classic hits.
Public radio station WMFV (89.5) serves the area and is owned by the same group as Orlando public radio station WMFE-FM, with some variations from WMFE's master schedule.
Transportation edit
Highway system edit
The Villages development is bounded roughly by US 27/US 441 to the east, US 301 to the west, County Road 42 to the north, and County Road 468 well south of 466A with the development of several new villages, Fenney, and the Brownwood town center in that area. On December 10, 2013, The Villages of Lake-Sumter Inc. agreed to an $8 million deal to purchase Pine Ridge Dairy tract in Fruitland Park, Florida with a planned construction of 2,038 new Villages homes.[121] Although County Road 466 previously served as the main east–west corridor, the addition of homes and facilities south of County Road 466 and in the city of Fruitland Park, Florida has turned County Road 466A into a secondary east–west corridor.[122] Buena Vista Boulevard and Morse Boulevard serve as significant north–south corridors.[123]
A second overpass, crossing Florida State Road 44 near Brownwood Paddock Square, is currently under construction. In August 2019, the 232-foot-long bridge was lowered into place. Construction is set to finish sometime in 2020. Construction on the bridge has been finished.[124]
Plans are in place to construct three other overpasses, one crossing Florida State Road 44 near Rohan Recreation Center, with the other two spanning Florida's Turnpike.[124]
Public transportation edit
Sumter County Transit operates The Villages shuttle. They provide various weekday loops through the Villages.[125]
The Villages developers operate a trolley-style bus tour of the community from the sales and information center at The Market Square in Lake Sumter Landing.
Until 2004, when the train was shortened to Savannah, Georgia, Amtrak's Palmetto (then on a New York–Tampa itinerary) served adjacent Wildwood. Amtrak's Amtrak Thruway bus service stops in The Villages. The bus travels from Jacksonville to Dade City and is timed to meet arrivals and departures of the Silver Star train in Jacksonville.
Autonomous vehicles edit
In early 2018, The Villages was chosen for a pilot program offering autonomous taxis in the area of Lake Sumter Landing. In the early stages of the program, the vehicle will have a safety driver in the driver's seat, and later the driver will be removed, and the automobile will be monitored from a control station. The technology-rich Ford Fusion Hybrid and Chrysler Pacifica minivan taxis will be operated by Voyage Auto, a startup company from San Jose, California. The Villages has a 0.5 percent stake in Voyage Auto.[24][126]
The Villages became one of the first cities in the United States to offer paid taxi services using autonomous vehicles throughout the community.[127]
Annual events edit
- Each year, in April, The Villages host The Senior Games, where approximately 2,000 residents compete in hundreds of athletic events. The top five athletes in each age division who win in the Villages are invited to compete in the Florida Senior Games. For 18 years, The Senior Games have taken place in The Villages. Sports in these events include track and field, tennis, basketball, bowling, volleyball, pickleball, fencing, and clay target shooting.[128][129]
Criticism edit
IRS audit of CDD bonds edit
In January 2008, the Village Center CDD was notified by the Internal Revenue Service of the IRS' intent to audit several recreational bonds issued in 2003 to determine compliance with tax regulations (mainly due to their status as municipal bonds which are exempt from federal income tax). The IRS sent three "Notices of Proposed Issues" in January 2009 challenging the tax-exempt status of the bonds on three grounds:
- the Issuer does not qualify as a political subdivision or "on behalf of the issuer" of tax-exempt bonds under Section 1.103-I(b) of the Internal Revenue Code regulations,
- the opinions of value do not support the price paid by the Issuer to the developer for the Series 2003 Facilities, and the payment of the sales price for the facilities to the developer by the Issuer is not a governmental use of the proceeds of the Bonds, and
- the Bonds are private activity bonds, the interest on which is not excludable under IRS Section 103.
The position stemmed largely from the interrelationship between VCCDD and The Villages developers (since VCCDD has no residents, the Board of Supervisors consists solely of individuals who work for or are affiliated with The Villages developers, and the developers-controlled board purchased VCCDDs infrastructure from the developers). Essentially, the IRS's position is that the VCCDD is an "alter ego" for the developers.[130]
After VCCDD rejected an IRS settlement offer,[131] the IRS further expanded its audit in July 2009 to include all recreational and utility revenue bonds issued by VCCDD[132] as well as similar bonds issued by Sumter Landing CDD,[133] on the basis that Sumter Landing CDD is also an "alter ego" of the developers. However, the 10 district CDDs were not included in the expanded audit since, as shown above, the residents elect the District CDDs boards.
VCCDD opposed the position taken by the IRS. In January 2010, it formally requested technical advice from the IRS as to the position it took.[134] On June 14, 2011, VCCDD (after discussions with the IRS) submitted its final Request for Technical Advice, outlining its position on the matter.[135] In June 2013, the IRS ruled that $426 million in bonds were not tax-free since the bureaucracy running The Villages could not be considered a real government. The IRS found that the bureaucracy needed to be structured to represent the residents.[136] On April 30, 2014, the IRS Office of Tax Exempt Bonds issued a negative response instead of The Villages' requests for tax relief on the grounds of qualifying as a political subdivision under IRS regulations.[137]
From March 2008 until October 1, 2013, it was estimated that through the Amenity Authority Committee and CDD government, The Villages' residents bore approximately $750,000.00 in legal fees in defending against the IRS audit.[138]
Faux history edit
The effort to present a "fanciful past" for The Villages through fictionalized plaques and building details demonstrates "the role that history plays in retirement migration."[71][139] Critics have negatively compared this presentation to the approach of Disney theme parks, claiming that the plaques generally do not address ethnic minorities nor conflict.[73] Brian argued that "The Villages' 'history' whitewashes Florida's past and celebrates a straightforward tale of economic growth."[140]
Notable people edit
- Megan Boone, American actress[141]
- Nancy Lopez, American retired professional golfer[142]
- Ray Knight, American former Major League Baseball player
- Tre Mann, professional basketball player
Popular culture edit
- Stand-up comedian Kathleen Madigan has performed a routine whose subject is The Villages[143]
- Some Kind of Heaven, a 2020 documentary about The Villages[144]
- The Bubble, a 2021 documentary by Austrian director Valerie Blankenbyl[145]
References edit
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- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- ^ a b "P1. Race – The Villages CDP, Florida: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 21, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 23, 2015.
- ^ a b "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ Walker, Alissa (August 20, 2021). "GETTING AROUND AUG. 20, 2021 There's One Thing We Can Learn From the Villages' Success". Curbed. Vox Media Network. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Olorunnipa, Toluse (September 22, 2014). "Florida's Villages Shifts to Taxable Debt Amid IRS Probe". Bloomberg.
- ^ Yardley, William (November 10, 2014). "H. Gary Morse, Who Built Mecca for Retirees, Is Dead at 77". The New York Times. from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ "Large Southern Cities Lead Nation in Population Growth". U.S. Department of Commerce. May 18, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- ^ "The Lamp Magazine | Shadow on the Sun". The Lamp Magazine. June 19, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Ryan Erisman, The Complete Guide to The Villages Florida, Chapter 3.
- ^ Coffey, Ronald J.; Welch, James d'A (1969). "Federal Regulation of Land Sales: Full Disclosure Comes Down to Earth". Case Western Reserve Law Review. 21 (1).
- ^ Curry, Christopher (December 24, 2003). "Villages' founder dies at 93". The Star Banner. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
- ^ Howard, Paula (December 28, 2018). "Recalling The Villages Early Years". Lake & Sumter Style. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
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- ^ Stanfield, Frank (January 18, 2018). "The Villages expansion deal nears completion". Daily Commercial. Retrieved January 19, 2018.
- ^ Staff (January 5, 2018). "And the nation's top-selling master-planned community is ..." The Villages Daily Sun. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ "Master-Planned Communities of 2019 and "Best" of the Decade". January 3, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
- ^ Logan, Gregg; Pischke, Karl (January 3, 2024). "30th Edition: The Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities of 2023". RCLCO. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
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- ^ a b "VCDD Deed Compliance - Family Units".
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- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - The Villages CDP, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
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- ^ a b "U.S. Census". Retrieved July 10, 2021.
- ^ Dunne, Samantha (June 23, 2018). "The Villages Again Sets Pace in Aging Revolution". The Villages Daily Sun. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
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- ^ Brian, p. 64.
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- ^ Gustavo, Solomon (January 29, 2020). Yahoo! Finance. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
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- ^ Heath, Christopher (November 20, 2019). "Crime in The Villages retirement community is low, usually imported from other areas". WFTV. Cox Media Group. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
- ^ Metcalf, Tom; Levin, Jonathan (March 7, 2018). "This Florida Retirement Empire Just Minted Three Billionaires". Bloomberg News.
- ^ a b Corder, David R. (April 26, 2018). "Grocery stores thriving as Publix store reopens". The Villages Daily Sun. Retrieved April 27, 2018.
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- ^ Love, Angela (September 29, 2017). "Villagers check out multi-functional Putt and Play at the Village of Fenney". Villages-News.com. Retrieved January 25, 2018.
- ^ "Golf The Villages".
- ^ a b c d e Pearlman, Keith (December 17, 2020). "Villages opens 100th recreation facility". The Villages Daily Sun. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
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- ^ "Opening night at The Sharon a bit of Villages' history in the making". Villages-News. April 17, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Frankie Avalon wows sold-out audiences at The Sharon". Villages-News. October 25, 2015. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ Fiore, Kristen (January 27, 2018). "Behind the Scenes Staff Brings Big Shows to Life". The Villages Daily Sun. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ Violanti, Tony (May 12, 2017). "Beach Boys catch a wave at The Sharon". Villages-News.com. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ "Villagers thrilled at chance to see comic legend Jerry Lewis at The Sharon". Villages-News. January 26, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Felix Cavaliere encourages a little line dance during 'Mustang Sally' at The Sharon". Villages-News. February 28, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Little River Band to take stage this week at The Sharon". Villages-News. March 6, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "'Teen Idol On The Rocks' bringing his story, music to The Sharon". Villages-News. May 3, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Ray Stevens bringing his many talents to The Sharon". Villages-News. May 12, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Spinners bring back age of disco in funky show at The Sharon". Villages-News. August 28, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Kenny G delights his fans in show at The Sharon". Villages-News. September 4, 2016. Retrieved October 18, 2016.
- ^ "Check that one off the bucket list, Villager appears on stage with rock 'n roll legend". Villages-News. October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
- ^ "NEXT TO NORMAL, PROOF and More Set for The Studio Theatre in 2016-17". Broadway World. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
- ^ a b Brian, Amanda M. (2014). "The faux history of The Villages, Florida". Southern Cultures. 20 (4): 58–71. doi:10.1353/scu.2014.0037. S2CID 144634061. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ Brian, p. 60.
- ^ a b Brian, p. 65.
- ^ Brian, p. 66.
- ^ "Recreation". The Villages. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
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- ^ Michael Van Sickler and John Martin (August 12, 2012). "The Villages: Florida retirement community provides foundation for Republican candidates". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 16, 2012.
Drawing retirees from the Northeast and Midwest, this planned community is one of the most critical – and dependable – voting blocs in the nation. The development's 61,000 registered voters reside in a battleground region Republicans need to dominate if they are to defeat President Barack Obama in November. Twice as many Republicans as Democrats live here. Independents tilt rightward, too. With such high voter turnouts, it has become a fixed stop on the campaign trail for Mitt Romney.
- ^ "Gov. Scott stages major rally in Villages on the eve of Election Day". Villages-News. November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ^ "Map" (PDF). www.lakecountyfl.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ [2][dead link]
- ^ "District Map April 4, 2009, at the Wayback Machine." Sumter County, Florida. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.
- ^ "District 3 February 11, 2009, at the Wayback Machine." Sumter County, Florida. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.
- ^ a b Your Community District August 8, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. The Village Center. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
- ^ "The Villages Community Development Districts". from the original on November 1, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
- ^ "Village Center Community Development District, Annual Report for Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2009, p. 20" (PDF). Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Sumter Landing Community Development District, Annual Report for Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2009, p. 21" (PDF). Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ Hatcher, Charles (February 29, 2016). "How Safe Is It To Drive Golf Carts In The Villages?". WUFT-FM. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
- ^ "Palin wows 'em in The Villages". Articles.orlandosentinel.com. September 22, 2008. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ^ . Blogs.orlandosentinel.com. November 11, 2009. Archived from the original on November 4, 2011. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ^ Lee, Suevon (November 22, 2009). "Beck visits The Villages, announces conventions". Ocala.com. Retrieved February 2, 2012.
- ^ Lemongello, Steven (September 17, 2016). "Mike Pence praises Trump at packed The Villages rally". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
- ^ Lytle, Tamara (October 20, 2004). "20,000 Cheer for Bush at Villages". Orlando Sentinel. from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
- ^ Lemongello, Steven (August 2, 2019). "Trump to speak at private event in The Villages on Tuesday". Orlando Sentinel. from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
- ^ Fineout, Gary (August 5, 2019). "Trump postpones trip to The Villages". Politico. from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
- ^ Delgado, Jeremiah (October 3, 2019). "Mayor, Marion County Chair, supporters greet President Trump at Ocala International Airport". Ocala-News. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ Croom, Larry D. (October 3, 2019). "Guest list for President Trump's visit was a who's who of The Villages". Villages-News. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ Croom, Larry D. (August 4, 2019). "Unlike with Bush's visit in 2004, Trump not heavily backed by Villages Developer". Villages-News. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ Mansfield, Alexandria (October 4, 2019). "Trump vows To defend medicare for U.S. seniors". The Villages Daily Sun. Retrieved October 7, 2019.
- ^ Croom, Larry D. (October 3, 2019). "Trump vows to protect Medicare while labeling Democrats as 'maniacs'". Villages-News. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
- ^ Contorno, Steve (October 9, 2020). "Mike Pence tells The Villages election is about 'whether America remains America'". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ Schwarting, Leah (October 24, 2020). "Fans cheer Trump's return to The Villages". The Villages Daily Sun. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
- ^ "School Zoning Boundaries Map Lake Weir High." Marion County Public Schools. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.
- ^ "Lake County 2008–2009 Attendance Boundary Leesburg High School February 27, 2009, at the Wayback Machine." Lake County Board of Education. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.
- ^ "Welcome." The Villages Charter Schools. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.
- ^ "Charter-in-the-Workplace." The Villages Charter Schools. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.
- ^ (PDF). Village Center Community Development District. August 7, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ Williams, Erin (January 7, 2018). "Countless opportunities for Continuous Learning". The Villages Daily Sun. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ "Sumter County Adult Community Education Center January 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine." Sumter District Schools. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.
- ^ Home page December 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Lake-Sumter Community College. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.
- ^ "Governor Appoints CFCC Trustees from Marion." College of Central Florida. July 23, 2007.
- ^ "CFCC Campuses and Centers." College of Central Florida. Retrieved on December 11, 2008.
- ^ "IMDB". IMDb.
- ^ Lang, Jamie (April 17, 2021). "Visions du Réel Premiere 'The Bubble' Goes Behind the Facade of Florida's Idyllic Retirement Community The Villages". Variety. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ "Golf, Booze & Guns: Inside Boomer Paradise / The Bubble (Full Film) / The Short List". YouTube. Directed by Valerie Blankenbyl. Vice. October 6, 2022.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Staff Report (October 2, 2018). "Statement shows Daily Sun's circulation dips, reaffirms Morse family's ownership". Villages-News.com. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^ "Villages closes $8 million deal on Fruitland Park property". Villages-News. December 10, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "County Road 466A now open through Wildwood to U.S. 301". Villages-News. April 20, 2015. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Printable Directions to The Villages".
- ^ a b "Connectivity plan Marks a banner day". The Villages Daily Sun. August 23, 2019. Retrieved September 10, 2019.
- ^ Sumter County Transit
- ^ Corder, David R. (January 10, 2018). "Driverless Taxi Service Coming to The Villages". The Villages Daily Sun. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- ^ Turck, Mitch (June 18, 2018). "Instead Of Ten-Figure Funding, This Robotaxi Startup Has Actual Customers". Forbes. Retrieved June 21, 2018.
- ^ Chaltry, Drew (April 23, 2018). "Senior games off to the races". The Villages Daily Sun. Retrieved April 28, 2018.
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- ^ Richie, Lauren (May 31, 2009). "'What ifs' for The Villages in IRS fight". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 10, 2012.
- ^ "IRS Expands Florida CDD Audits, Peter Schroder, Bond Buyer, July 27, 2009, accessed April 23, 2010". Bondbuyer.com. July 27, 2009. Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Village Center Community Development District, Annual Report for Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2009, pp. 42–43" (PDF). Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Sumter Landing Community Development District, Annual Report for Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2009, pp. 34–35" (PDF). Retrieved January 1, 2018.
- ^ "Tech support" (PDF). districtgov.org. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ "IRS update" (PDF). districtgov.org. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ "IRS ruling on the Villages tax-free bonds a long time coming".
- ^ "Long-running Villages dispute with IRS could be grinding to final conclusion". Villages-News. June 8, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ "Tutt issues memo revealing costs to Villages residents in IRS battle". Villages-News. October 10, 2013. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
- ^ Brian p. 59.
- ^ Brian, p. 68.
- ^ Rorke, Robert; Getlen, Larry; Seibel, Deborah Starr (September 8, 2013). "Actors to watch this fall". New York Post. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Glenn, Rhonda (December 7, 2012). . USGA. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
- ^ Boedeker, Hal (January 19, 2017). "Comic Kathleen Madigan: The Villages has sense of humor". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved June 25, 2023.
- ^ Kring-Schreifels, Jake (February 1, 2020). "Sundance Review: Some Kind of Heaven Examines Whether Retirement Can Be Paradise". The Film Stage. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "The Bubble". Austrian Film Institute. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
External sources edit
- Blechman, Andrew D. (2008). Leisureville: Adventures in America's retirement utopias. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press.
- Brian, Amanda M. (Winter 2014). "The Faux History of the Villages, Florida". Southern Cultures. 20 (4): 58–71. doi:10.1353/scu.2014.0037. JSTOR 26217565. S2CID 144634061.
- Oppenheim, Lance (Director). Some Kind of Heaven (color documentary, running time 1 hr. 21 min.). Released January 15, 2020, in the United States. Filmed in The Villages, Florida. Production companies: 30WEST, Los Angeles Media Fund, Protozoa Pictures.
- The Villages Community Development District (the website provides the public information on all 17 Community Development Districts located within The Villages area)
- Today's The Villages, Florida front page at the Freedom Forum website