A rapidly growing Polk County city that still maintains a small-town feel
Davenport is the fastest-growing city in Florida’s fastest-growing county. Davenport’s population increased 42 percent between the 2020 and 2024 censuses, from 9,721 to 16,850. New residents are drawn by a centralized location in northeast Polk County and livability that cannot be found in the nearest big city. “Taxes and other expenses are lower than Orlando,” says Franc Marrero, a Realtor with Freedom Property Agent LLC, who has been selling homes in the city for years. “I deal with a lot of people who make 50,000 to 80,000 dollars, and I tell them the difference between Orlando and Davenport is that you can get a really nice house here. They can’t afford to live in Orlando. I say, ‘Let’s go drive around in the morning, then the afternoon, then at night, and they’ll see Davenport is a great choice. It’s the place to go.’” While residential and commercial expansion is concentrated in the U.S. Highway 27 corridor on the city’s west side, the east side is home to established neighborhoods, parks and a community center.
Davenport is the fastest-growing city in Florida’s fastest-growing county.
Buyers are drawn to the value of new construction homes in Davenport.
Large single-family homes are available in Davenport.
Davenport neighborhood is a growing community with new and beautiful homes.
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Homes attract families and investors
Ranch-style homes are prominent on the established east side. They mingle with older, smaller homes along walkable streets. The more open setting on the west side features a collection of contemporary custom designs in subdivision settings that comprise the bulk of new construction. The typical new home offers three to four bedrooms and an attached garage. The most affordable housing can be found in 55-plus manufactured home communities. A glut of new housing has created a buyer’s market. By August of 2024, the median listing price of homes dropped 5% from the previous year to $413,000. “The main reason people are attracted to Davenport is that you can get a brand-new home for better prices, with proximity to Orlando and Disney,” says Betsy Breton-Garcia, a Realtor with KW Commercial who regularly sells homes in the city. While the housing boom is transforming Davenport, the city also is involved in several growth-related projects, including the construction of a wastewater treatment facility and an Emergency Operations Center. Marrero says Davenport allows owners to Airbnb their homes without living in them, a difference from Orlando. “When I think of Davenport, I think of short-term rentals,” Breton-Garcia says. Marrero says it’s typically a 50/50 split between traditional homebuyers and investors, but in the last year, more families have been purchasing homes. “In the next 10 years, Davenport will be in really good shape,” Marrero says. “Home values will keep growing.” Despite its inland location, parts of Davenport are susceptible to flooding and related wind damage during hurricane season. About 12% of its homes are in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Homeowners here are required to purchase additional insurance, and all new construction projects must comply with current floodplain management rules.
Ranch-style homes are prominent on the established east side of Davenport.
This ranch-style home in Davenport features fresh exterior paint and a colorful front door.
A glut of new construction homes has created a buyer's market in Davenport.
Davenport neighborhood offers many different styles of homes.
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Easy access to Orlando’s Central Business District
Without bike lanes or public transportation, Davenport’s residents rely on their cars to get around. U.S. Route 17 runs through the city, while U.S. Highway 27 runs along its west side. Interstate 4 is only 5 miles away. The three major roadways provide easy access to work commutes and other regional travel. The Orlando International Airport and the city’s Central Business District are both about 30 miles north via I-4. Closer to home, AdventHealth Heart of Florida hospital is about 4 miles from the center of town. It is located among several medical facilities along Highway 27.
US Highway 27 runs along Davenport's west side, providing easy access to amenities.
AdventHealth Heart of Florida is just 4 miles from the center of Davenport.
Orlando International Airport is your gateway to the world.
Central Business District houses HQs, and tech firms alongside high-rise apartments and art.
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Chain of Lakes, Disney World are close by
Davenport is home to three parks, including Lake Play, a public fishing spot in the center of town. Youth compete in sports leagues at the Lewis W. Mathews Memorial Sports Complex and learn new skills at the Tom Fellows Community Center, which hosts several city events. Residents also enjoy access to nearby Northeast Regional Park, a sprawling green space that features multi-purpose fields, athletic courts and a lake. Fishing is an especially popular activity in the region, as the city is surrounded by the Winter Haven and Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Disney and its array of amusement parks offer plenty of family fun less than 15 miles away. Proximity to the highlights of Central Florida adds to the appeal of moving to the city. “You’re so close to so many things that you can add equity as a homebuyer,” Marrero says.
Lake Play Park is located in the center of town in Davenport.
Tom Fellows Community Center offers Davenport residents a great, affordable amenity.
Davenport residents play football on the sprawling fields at Northeast Regional Park.
Live near The Most Wonderful Place on Earth.
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Popular community events include Taste of Davenport, Christmas festivities
The community center hosts popular events throughout the year. Taste of Davenport, Multicultural Family Fest and the Christmas tree lighting and parade are just a few of the celebrations held there. The Davenport Historical Society preserves the city’s past through public art with the Citrus Label Tour and Central Florida Quilt Trail. The organization also maintains the Davenport Historical Museum, which preserves the city’s history through the stories of its residents. Foresight has allowed the city to grow while maintaining a small-town feel. “There’s a sense of community because the city was very well-planned,” Marrero says.
Davenport residents line up for brisket tacos at the Community BBQ Event.
Davenport residents enjoy live music and a sunset at the Community BBQ Event.
A local chef seasons his ribs in Davenport during the Community BBQ Event.
Davenport residents enjoy food and live music at the Community BBQ Event.
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Highway 27 offers a variety of shopping and dining options
Highway 27 is Davenport’s primary retail corridor. The three-lane thoroughfare features local businesses such as Webb’s Candy Shop, known for its citrus candies, and Posner Village, a shopping mall with several chain restaurants and big-box retailers anchored by Target. Publix at St. Charles Plaza is conveniently located along the corridor. Publix, whose distribution center is about an hour’s drive away in Lakeland, is the largest employer in the county.
Built in 2021, Davenport High was Polk County’s first new school in 15 years
The second-largest employer is Polk County Public Schools, a district that earns a B from Niche. Florida offers school choice, but the city is home to one of Polk County’s newest schools. Davenport High, built in 2021 as the first new county school in 15 years, earns a B-plus from Niche. Davenport School of the Arts, also rated B-plus, is a public magnet school that serves students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.
Davenport School of the Arts is an elementary and middle school in Davenport, FL.
Davenport School of the Arts is a magnet school in Polk County.
Davenport High School is a pubic school in Davenport, FL.
Davenport High School has a football field and track.
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Crime
Residents experience lower-than-average crime rates. The property crime rate in Davenport is 12.26 incidents per 1,000 residents, compared to Orlando’s 14.23 and the national average of 19.55. Thefts and burglaries are most common on the city’s west side, where many homes are vacation rentals. The violent crime rate is 3.48 incidents per 1,000 residents, less than Orlando’s 3.98 and the national average of 3.8.
Written By
Matt Pallister
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Van Bemmel
Video By
Kyle Keyes
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Davenport, FL sell after 87 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Davenport, FL over the last 12 months is $359,990, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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