Demographics

The population of Sumter County has grown steadily over the past decade, fueled primarily by the continuing growth of The Villages® community. The current Census population is 156,743. Sumter County boasted an impressive 35% growth rate for 2015-2024 (Lightcast 2025.3) with Wildwood, FL being dubbed fastest growing place in 2025 by U.S News & World Report; making Sumter County one of the fastest growing counties in Florida… again!

Workforce

The Sumter County population increased dramatically between 2020-2024, rising 21% over the five years (Lightcast 2025.3). Average employment in 2024 across all industries in the county was 42,186 (Lightcast 2025.3). There is a workforce of 553,896 (JobsEQ 2025) within a 45 minute drive of Sumter County.

Economic Data

Sumter County, Florida is a leading example of sound and verified fiscal responsibility at the local level. Fitch Ratings for 2020 affirmed Sumter County’s Capital Improvement Revenue Bonds with an AA+ rating. Sumter County’s Issuer Default Rating (IDR) is also at AA+.

Fitch also reported that less than 400 local tax-supported jurisdictions in the United States qualify for an AA+ rating. This rating reflects the county’s continued growth and diversification and maintenance of robust financial operations.

Sumter County’s Median HH Income

Sumter County Median Household Income equaled $52,594 in 2017, boasting a 18.1% gain since 2010, and again ranking Sumter County first among Florida counties, this time in the category of Growth of Median Household Income.