With lakefront views, quaint shops, and a major motorcycle rally, this Florida city is drawing retirees in record numbers.
So, why is this Florida city America's fastest-growing retirement community?
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The United States is currently experiencing a historic retirement boom. With over 11,000 adults turning 65 every single day, a record-breaking 4 million people are expected to retire this year alone. This massive demographic shift raises a key question: where are all these new retirees choosing to spend their golden years?
A new study released on July 30 by GOBankingRates, a personal finance company, sought to answer this question by identifying the nation's fastest-growing retirement "boomtowns." The study defined these boomtowns as cities where the population has grown by 20% or more since 2018. To qualify for the analysis, cities had to have at least 7,500 residents aged 65 or older. GOBankingRates then honed in on cities with a higher-than-national-average percentage change in their retirement-age population over both 1- and 5-year periods. The result of this comprehensive analysis was the naming of Leesburg, Florida, as the fastest-growing retirement community in the United States.
Leesburg, with a total population of 38,000, boasts a significant retirement-age demographic, with 28.9% of its residents being 65 or older. The city's 5-year growth rate for this age group is a remarkable 54.8%, solidifying its top position on the list. While it might be nestled in the heart of the state, Leesburg is far from landlocked. It's situated on some of the state's best lakefronts and proudly claims to be the nation's premier region for bass fishing.
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Beyond its aquatic attractions, Leesburg offers a lively and quaint downtown area filled with charming shops, a diverse selection of dining options, and a variety of community events. The city's annual Bikefest, for example, is renowned as the largest 3-day motorcycle rally in the world, attracting visitors from all over. These are the kinds of amenities that make a place appealing not only for long-term residents but also for their visiting family and friends. When those visits require air travel, it's worth noting the convenience of being located so close to a major hub. For visitors flying into the area, a service like ParkingNearAirports.io offers great options, including park 'n fly Orlando FL that are both close to the airport and reasonably priced.
Coming in second on the list was Goodyear, Arizona, which also showed impressive growth with a 54.1% increase in its 65-plus age group over the past few years. However, Florida's dominance on the list was undeniable. GOBankingRates noted that 12 cities from the Sunshine State made the top 50, including Edgewater (No. 3), Tavares (No. 5), Fort Pierce (No. 7), Clermont (No. 8), Port Saint Lucie (No. 18), Winter Springs (No. 19), Pensacola (No. 21), Cape Coral (No. 24), West Palm Beach (No. 38), Palm Coast (No. 41), and Ormond Beach (No. 49). The state's combination of warm weather, natural beauty, and a robust infrastructure for retirees continues to be a powerful draw. When you're planning a trip to any of these vibrant communities, it's wise to book your travel details in advance. Finding the best airport parking Orlando can be made simple with our reservation platform that helps you compare prices and locations to get the most for your money.
Beyond Florida, the top 10 included 2 other Arizona cities: Goodyear (No. 2) and Peoria (No. 4). Interestingly, Galveston was the only city in Texas to crack the top 50, despite the Lone Star State having one of the nation's fastest-growing retirement populations overall. The full list of rankings and detailed data can be found on gobankingrates.com. For travelers heading to or from Florida's boomtowns, managing travel logistics is key. By using a service like ours, you can secure valuable parking discounts that help make your journey more affordable.
