EXPERTS LANE n REAL ESTATE
The Town of
WINDERMERE
By Rick Singh, CFA
Orange County Property Appraiser
O
ne of Orange County’s old-
est communities, the Town of
Windermere, is home to some
of the most expensive homes
in the area. Preserving its heritage, the
town perfectly mixes sprawling mansions
with historical property to form a unique
eclectic aesthetic. In addition to scenic
views, Windermere’s amenities are hard to
top—golf courses, country clubs, and con-
venient access to world-renowned theme
parks are just a sample of the daily luxu-
ries enjoyed by residents.
Although the number of houses in the qui-
et community continues to increase, Wind-
ermere has retained its natural beauty and
small-town atmosphere. The town blends
lush neighborhoods and an affluent atmo-
sphere with unpaved roads and countless
trees. The Lake Butler Chain of Lakes, sev-
eral small lakes speckled throughout the
region, is recognized as “Outstanding
Florida Waters” by the Florida Depart-
ment of Environment Regulation and pro-
vides beautiful lakefront property to those
who can afford it.
6
IBA Success Magazine
n
VOL 5, Issue 5
Residential property in Windermere is
some of the most popular—and most ex-
pensive—in Orange County. While the av-
erage sales price in the area is $951,422
for 2019, one parcel recently sold for $3.2
million. Not only do these numbers re-
flect a steady increase in value—median
home prices have risen more than 42%
since 2016—they also demonstrate Wind-
ermere’s affluence when compared to
Orange County as a whole. By compari-
son, the average sales price for residential
property in all of Orange County is typical-
ly less than $300,000.
Because of the town’s high cost of living, the
residents able to afford property in Winder-
mere include athletes, actors and actresses,
well-known musicians, and executives. Not
surprisingly, the town’s demographic in-
formation is starkly different from Orange
County’s overall population. According to
census data, the average age of residents
in Windermere is 47, median household
income is higher than $114,000, and only
4.7% of residents fall below the poverty line.
By contrast, the median age of residents in
Orange County is 35, median household
income is nearly $52,000, and 16.7% of res-
idents live below the poverty line.
Although the prices may be far above
average, Windermere brings value with
innumerable amenities for residents to
enjoy. High-end shopping, restaurants,
and entertainment are all nearby. The
town provides quiet exclusivity while
being conveniently located to all that
Orange County has to offer.
Despite its high demand, large growth in
population, and exclusive nature, Wind-
ermere’s small-town persona remains
strong. An area that was once a large swath
of citrus groves has evolved into one of
Orange County’s most sought after, affluent
communities. With its luxurious amenities,
historical beauty, and lush green space,
the town combines qualities rarely found
in the same neighborhood. Windermere
is truly one of Orange County’s hidden
gems.
Rick Singh, CFA
Orange County
Property Appraiser
APPRAISER’S
The town was first incorporated in 1925
but had been settled decades before by
citrus farmers. The area steadily rose in
population until 1970, when Disney World
began development nearby and a large
influx of Disney executives moved to the
area. In fact, according to U.S. Census Bu-
reau data, the population of Windermere
nearly tripled between 1960 and 1990—
growing from 596 to more than 1600
during the time Disney built and opened
its first three parks in the surrounding
area. The Census Bureau estimates that
Windermere is now home to some 3500
residents, demonstrating the growth the
area has seen in recent years.