An Orlando suburb set against the backdrop of natural springs and green forests
Known as the "indoor foliage capital of the world," Apopka is a historic central Florida city with a rural past and blossoming commercial future 20 miles outside of Orlando. The city of 61,000 received its unofficial title during the early 1900s when fern-growing became a profitable venture for many residents. Large-scale agricultural farms followed, and the town was officially incorporated in 1919. Today, the rapidly growing city still has an appreciation for its rural roots, with multiple parks, hiking trails and natural springs scattered throughout. Newer housing developments have been built to accommodate the city's population growth, which has risen 12% since 2020. Many residents commute to work in Orlando’s robust aerospace, medical, and tourism industries.
With a well-connected location and access to Orange County Public Schools, the suburban community immersed in nature provides a slower alternative to downtown Orlando's busy streets. "For anyone who's considering a move to central Florida, the Apopka area offers better value, more house and more property for the money compared to Orlando," says Daniel Betancourt, a local Real Estate Agent and team leader with EXP Realty. "For years, it's mainly been locals that are relocating, but now it's people moving into central Florida looking for a little more room for what they can afford."
This beautiful mural welcomes people to Apopka as they travel through Main Street.
The city of Apopka overlooks beautiful Lake Apopka.
Apopka is known as the "Indoor Foliage Capitol Of The World".
Apopka locals can take a stroll at the Northwest Recreation Complex on Jason Dwelley Parkway.
The Northwest Recreation Complex in Apopka is an athletic park.
Apopka High School educates the teens of Apopka, FL.
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New housing developments and rural estates
Apopka's average home value is around $430,000, but properties can range anywhere from $200,000 to $3 million. There is a large variety of housing factors, including waterfront views, gated communities and multi-car garages, yet most provide an appealing alternative to properties in major metro areas. Townhouses from the early 2000s and midcentury ranch-style homes are typically the least expensive, ranging from $200,000 to $350,000. New construction split-level and two-story homes range between $500,000 and $700,000. On the outskirts of Apopka, sprawling estates on expansive lots sell from $1 million to $2 million and many feature timeless architecture styles drawing upon Gothic and colonial influences. Builders are rapidly constructing new housing developments to help keep pace with Central Florida's growth. "Apopka is going through a massive boom," says Jamie Ampel, broker and owner of All Seller & Buyers Realty, who grew up in the Apopka area. "The backside was always rural with orange groves, cattle fields and agriculture. Now there are massive housing developments with 7,000 new construction units slated to come."
Large homes with lakeside views are available in Apopka.
Apopka has plenty of waterfront homes with over 30 bodies of water in the area.
Blue Grass Estates is a luxurious equestrian community on Rock Springs Road in Apopka.
Apopka's streets are lined with beautiful homes and well manicured yards.
Apopka is experiencing development growth throughout the city.
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Cold, clear water at Kelly Springs State Park
Apopka Lake is the fourth-largest lake in Florida and is a popular place for boating or fishing. Yet this expansive body of water is the tip of the iceberg for recreation in the city. Apopka is surrounded by forestry and natural springs, including nearby Kelly Springs State Park, where visitors can try and spot some wildlife or dip in the cold, clear water during hot summer days. "The freshwater springs come up from underground so that water is very clear and natural," Betancourt says. "When you see Instagram reels from this park, it's always people paddleboarding up and down a clear, shallow river under a canopy of trees."
Similarly, Rock Springs Run Reserve offers days on the river and miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Wekiwa Springs State Park is nearby and features another way to enjoy the clear spring water with numerous canoeing and snorkeling opportunities and occasional manatee sightings. For fun on dry land, the Northwest Recreation Complex has multiple baseball diamonds, basketball courts and multi-purpose fields.
Apopka has beautiful waterfront living.
Recharge with a picnic at Wekiwa Springs in Apopka.
No matter the weather, Apopka residents can enjoy Rock Springs.
The scenic views in Kelly Park, just outside Apopka.
Magnolia Park, in Clarcona, offers pedestrian and boat access to Lake Apopka.
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Apopka Art & Foliage Festival takes place every April
The city's signature event is the Apopka Art & Foliage Festival, held every April. The gathering pays homage to the area's horticulture heritage with a vast display of plant arrangements and flowers from local gardeners. Artists can also showcase their creative endeavors, and all proceeds are given back to the community through scholarships and charitable donations. Other popular events include the Saturday Sounds Concert Series, held October through May at the Apopka Amphitheater. Disney World and Universal Studios are around 30 miles away, and the Kia Center, home of the NBA's Orland Magic, is 20 miles away.
The Apopka Amphitheater hosts concerts and monthly events.
Saturday Sounds is a free concert series at at the Apopka Amphitheater.
Apopka's annual Chistmas Parade is always well attended.
The Apopka Chistmas Parade is held in December on main street.
The Annual Chistmas Tree Lighting is held at Kit Land Nelson Park in Apopka.
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Southern Apopka features popular shops and restaurants
Apopka Commons is the city's commercial hub, as the shopping plaza is full of local businesses, department stores and national chain eateries. There is also a Winn-Dixie for groceries. West Orange Blossom Trial is home to numerous popular eateries, including The Nauti Lobstah, a New-England-inspired eatery serving fresh lobster rolls and platters of fried scallops and shrimp. El Porto is down the street and features classic Mexican cuisine and tasty margaritas with live music on the weekends. While commercial activity has traditionally been centered around Southern Apopka, The Wyld Oaks Development plan seeks to change that. The 215-acre mixed-use development will feature multiple parks, shopping centers and office space, transforming northern Apopka into a vibrant commercial center. Construction began in January of 2024 and is expected to be completed in the next two years. "When I was growing up, there was only fast-food restaurants here," Ample says. "Now there's all this new growth and development. It's a real treat because you used to have to drive to Altamonte Springs for these things."
Apopka Commons is located at 1631 US-441.
Apopka's local Winn Dixie is located at 1565 W Orange Blossom Trail.
Apopka locals can stop in to Garibaldis on 436, to grab a margarita or burrito.
Caffe Positano is a local Italian favorite in the community of Apopka.
The Wyld Oaks development will be 215 acres of new retail and homes in Apopka.
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Apopka High School produces athletes
The Orange County Public School District serves Apopka and is ranked the best school district for athletes in Florida by Niche. Apopka High School receives a B-plus rating on Niche and has won three football state championships since 2001. The school also offers a medical career magnet program. “Apopka High School has done well in recent years," Betancourt says. "There have been numerous professional players that have come from the city." Highly rated private school options include the Trinity Christian School and Central Florida Preparatory School. For higher education, Orlando is home to the University of Central Florida, which has one of the largest undergraduate populations in the country.
Apopka High School's Blue Darters are the pride of all in North Apopka.
North Apopka's Apopka High School is well known for it's athletic and academic programs.
Apopka High School, in North Apopka, is home to the Blue Darters.
Apopka High School's football program is the pride of North Apopka.
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Well-connected to nearby Orlando with miles of walking paths scattered throughout
Apopka is centrally located to the rest of Florida and features well-connected transportation routes to nearby metro areas. "Apopka is in the state's center, so you're roughly equidistant to both the east and west coasts," Betancourt says. "There are several highways that connect to downtown Orlando very easily, as well as the Disney World side of town." Downtown Orlando is around 20 miles away and can be reached with State Road 414, also known as the Apopka Expressway. The Lynx, Orlando's public bus system, also services connections in Apopka. Orlando International Airport is 35 miles away and offers multiple domestic and international flights. While the community may be largely car-dependent, city officials are looking to make Apopka more walkable. In 2023, the city council approved a plan to build a network of walking paths connecting downtown to parks, restaurants and other points of interest. These new paths will join the existing 394 miles of biking and walking trails that already wind throughout the city.
Crime and Environment
According to the FBI's Crime Data Explorer, 313 violent incidents and 1,579 property incidents were reported in Apopka during 2022. Crime Grade gives Apopka an overall A-plus and reports 2.39 incidents of violent crime per 1,000 residents, less than the national average of 3.8. In 2023, the Apopka Police Department detailed its efforts to reduce crime in the area, particularly theft, through patrolling high-crime areas and posting safety tips on social media. Crime Grade's map of Apopka shows that most crime incidents occur in the northeastern part of the city.
While no place in Florida is entirely safe from Hurricanes, Apopka's inland location helps to protect residents and homeowners from stronger storm damage. "It's about 60-70 miles inland from the coast, so it's pretty well insulated," Betancourt says. "For people who want that Florida living with a reduced risk of wind damage, the best place to live is in the interior part of the state.” Homeowners are still encouraged to review insurance options and preparedness plans. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures reaching into the 90s. Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the spring and summer.
Written By
Beck Connelley
Photography Contributed By
Jay Welker
Video By
Christian Gortler
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Vincent Cordaro,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Apopka, FL sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Apopka, FL over the last 12 months is $403,640, down 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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