This Charming Lakefront Florida City Was Just Named the Fastest-growing Retirement Community in the U.S.

The U.S. is experiencing a retirement surge as over 11,000 adults turn 65 every day, a historic record, which will result in over four million retirees just this year. So where are all those seniors relocating to spend their golden years?

On July 30, GOBankingRates released a new study that uncovered the fastest-growing retirement “boomtowns” in the nation, which it defined as places with populations that have grown by 20 percent or more since 2018. 

The personal finance company examined cities with at least 7,500 residents aged 65 or older and then focused on those with higher than national averages in the one- and five-year percent change in retirement-age population. After looking at the data, GOBankingRates named Leesburg, Florida, the fastest-growing retirement community in the U.S.

Located 45 miles northwest of Orlando, it has a population of 38,000, with 28.9 percent of residents over 65. Leesburg’s five-year growth in retirement-age adults is an impressive 54.8 percent.

While the small city may be tucked in the middle of the state, it’s still a water lover’s paradise. Leesburg sits on some of the state’s best lakefrontage and claims to be the nation’s best bass fishing region. There is plenty more to see and do in its bustling downtown area that’s packed with adorable dining and shopping, along with plenty of events everyone can take part in, including its annual Bikefest, the largest three-day motorcycle rally in the world. 

Joining Leeburg at the top of the list is Goodyear, Arizona, in second, with its 65-plus age group growing by 54.1 percent over the last few years. 

Still, there was no beating Florida on this list. As GOBankingRates noted, 12 cities in the Sunshine State made the cut, 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). 

Two Arizona cities made the top 10—Goodyear (No.2) and Peoria (No.4). Perhaps surprisingly, Galveston is the only city in Texas to make it to the top 50 at No. 9. The Lone Star State has one of the fastest-growing retirement populations in the country.

You can see the complete ranking at gobankingrates.com.