An increasingly popular Central Florida city on the brink of change
Ocoee is the fastest-growing city in Orange County. With over 48,000 residents and counting, the city is expected to flourish exponentially in the upcoming years as Ocoee’s 43-million-dollar master plan hits the ground running. Area-defining developments—such as a retail epicenter, a 146-acre baseball and hotel megaplex and a Main Street USA project to revitalize downtown—are all in the works. However, despite all this change, the city retains its comfortable, family-friendly feel. “It’s very family-oriented,” says Scott Swinson, Jr., a Realtor with Charles Rutenberg Realty. “I grew up there. My parents have lived there for 60 years.” Ocoee’s convenience is another major draw. “The location’s hard to beat. It’s got great access to major roads,” he says. With its natural beauty, solid school system and proximity to Orlando, it’s easy to see why Ocoee’s motto is “The Center of Good Living.”
Ocoee is close to several major highways and offers Lunx bus service for public transit.
Ocoee's Downtown area has just gotten a facelift with new renovations.
Ocoee’s 43-million-dollar master plan hits the ground running with new planned developments.
Palm trees line streets of Prairie Lake and neighborhoods near by.
Locals love to eat at the Breakfast Club near Prairie Lake.
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Steadily increasing housing market
Most of Ocoee's residential streets are lined with sidewalks and shady trees. In neighborhoods like Arden Park, Brookstone, Forestbrook and McCormick Woods, backyards often feature pools, and front yards are neatly landscaped. Typical housing styles range from Mediterranean to modern Floridian and classic ranches, many with tiled or terracotta roofs and white stucco exteriors. Ocoee has several lakes, big and small, and homes that back up to them boast water views and sometimes private docks. Townhouses with two-car garages and condos in gated communities are also available throughout the city. According to 2022 census data, around 73% of residents are homeowners. About 47% of homes are valued between $300,000 and $499,000, with a median price of $470,000. Homes in Ocoee stay on the market for an average of 49 days, more than the national average of 44 days.
Prairie Lake Reserve is a townhome community with attached garages.
Find bright homes with unique accenting in the architecture in Prairie Lake.
New townhomes and subdivisions are popping up throughout Ocoee.
A beautiful row of two story homes with attached garages in Prairie Lake.
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Outdoor recreation along Lake Starke and athletic-focused parks
Lake Apopka sits to the west of the city and is a favorite for boaters and birders. Bill Breeze Park is the city’s largest park where locals fish, kayak and paddle board in Lake Starke. Vignetti Park on Adair Street offers lighted baseball and softball fields that buzz with activity during community league games. There are also basketball, racquetball and tennis courts and a playground shaded by towering trees. Year-round youth and adult recreational classes are available at the Beech Recreation Center, adjacent to the popular and state-of-the-art Family Aquatic Center. A new 146-acre sports complex is currently in development and aims to accommodate the travel baseball industry. It will house 16 baseball fields, nine batting cages, a recreation park, and two hotels with seven retail and restaurant buildings.
Bill Breeze Park is a short drive from Ocoee and hosts many annual events.
If fishing is up your alley, Ocoee has plenty of docks inclusing Bill Breeze Park by City Hall.
Kids of all ages love to play hoops on the basketball courts at Prairie Lake Park.
Vignetti Park also has a workout center for Ocoee locals and members.
Families gather to see their kids play baseball on the fields of Vignetti Park in Ocoee.
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Widespread retail and dining with future developments
Numerous shopping centers border the area’s neighborhoods. One of the most popular is Plantation Grove, which features Publix, fast-food restaurants, and services. Route 50, which runs through Ocoee, is lined with a variety of restaurants. West Colonial Drive has Walmart Supercenter, Aldi’s and the popular West Oaks Mall, which offers 115 stores and an AMC movie theatre. Ocoee’s downtown area features everything from vintage antique shops to clothing stores and fitness centers. There are many dining options downtown, from a trendy health store and eclectic coffee lounge to an artsy gastropub and retro hamburger joint. The Ocoee Village Center is a 43,000-square-foot shopping center currently under construction that will feature a grocery store, medical office building, restaurants and retailers.
Residents don’t have to go far for culture. National ballet, opera and musical groups take the stage at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, and over 5,600 pieces of artwork are on display at the Rollins Museum of Art in Winter Park. The famous Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios are each less than 20 miles away.
The largest hospital, Orlando Health Central, is located on the city's south side and is known for being one of the area’s largest employers.
Publix is one of the main grocers for Prairie Lake residents.
West Oaks Mall is located in the retail corridor of Hwy 50 in Ocoee.
Ocoee's West Oaks Mall has a 14 theater AMC.
Downtown Ocoee is a nostalgic change of pace from it's other retail areas.
Discover the magic of Universal Studios, where adventure awaits in Orlando, Florida.
Walt Disney World opened in 1971, sparking Orlando's tourism and hospitality scene.
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A packed social community calendar and annual music festivals
The annual Easter Eggstravaganza and the Halloween Howl Night at Ocoee Lakeshore Center are just a few of the city’s many community events. The biggest is the yearly Ocoee Fall Music Festival, which draws in more than 20,000 patrons for a weekend of local and national entertainment, food and a massive closing fireworks display. McKey Street downtown hosts the annual Ocoee Block Party, where residents grab food from food trucks, enjoy family-friendly activities, and dance to live music. One of the newer events is the Ocoee Community Market which takes place on the first Thursday of every month at Bill Breeze Park and features food trucks, handmade goods and live music.
One of the largest public school districts in the country
Ocoee students are zoned to Orange County Public Schools, which gets an A-minus ranking from Niche. It’s the fourth-largest school district in Florida, serving roughly 208,000 students at 210 schools. Ocoee High School stands out in the city with top-performing sports teams and award-winning arts programs. Niche gives the school a B rating. Valencia College operates two campuses where students can earn associate degrees in education, health care and information technology, among other disciplines. Osceola Technical College’s three local campuses award certificates in architecture, audiovisual communication and more. The University of Central Florida, the metro’s biggest university, is in nearby Orlando.
Ocoee uses some of their public transportation spots for bus pickup as well.
Ocoee High School is ranked 369th within Florida.
Families watch their children play football and track at Ocoee High School in Orange County.
Ocoee Middle School located in Ocoee.
Ocoee Middle School in Ocoee, FL serves 1240 students in grades 6-8.
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Multiple ways to get around and direct highway access
Most locals get around by car and enjoy the proximity to Interstate 4, which travels to other major Florida cities and landmarks. “You’ve got proximity to Disney and Universal. It’s easy to get to International Drive. Everything’s a straight shot,” Swinson says. Multiple bus routes operated by Lynx and LYNX Plus run throughout the city. The Orlando International Airport is about 25 miles away and offers flights to 135 domestic and international destinations.
Low crime rate and storm flooding risks
The most recent crime rates from the FBI are from 2021 and indicate they are lower than in 2020. In 2021, there were nearly 500 incidents of violent crime, down from almost 600 incidents in 2020. There were about 1,100 incidents of property crime, down from around 1,300 incidents in 2020. The Ocoee Police Department’s website has a comprehensive breakdown of crime incidents per area on their website.
Common Florida weather-related concerns such as hurricanes are a possible risk in Ocoee. However, the hurricane index level is lower than the state’s average due to the city’s inland location. Storm flooding, on the other hand, is considered a very high risk because of the area’s numerous surrounding lakes and ponds. Active storm tracking alerts and updated FEMA flooding maps are provided by the city to help inform residents of flooding warnings. Multiple departments within the City of Ocoee also work on a consistently updated floodplain management program to help keep the community safe and resilient against damaging storms.
Written By
Sara Huffman
Photography Contributed By
Jay Welker
Video By
Grace Kim
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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 Ocoee, FL sell after 54 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Ocoee, FL over the last 12 months is $442,495, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Tucked away on a peaceful, tree-lined cul-de-sac in the charming town of Ocoee, this stunning home is the perfect blend of comfort, style, and convenience. Just minutes from downtown Orlando with easy access to the 408 and Florida Turnpike, you’ll enjoy the best of both serene suburban living and big city amenities. Step inside to find gleaming wood floors, cathedral ceilings, and a spacious
This 4-bedroom, 2-bath home offers exceptional space both indoors and outdoors, perfect for relaxing, entertaining, or growing into. The open-concept layout features tile flooring throughout the main areas, granite kitchen counters, and plenty of natural light.Step outside to enjoy a generous yard and brick-paved driveway leading to a 2-car garage—ample room for guests, play, or projects. Leased
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This two-story home offers a spacious and contemporary design with 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a two-car garage. Step inside and be greeted by an inviting open-concept floor plan that seamlessly connects the living room, dining area, and kitchen featuring an island and pantry. The Owner Suite on the main floor is completed with a large walk-in shower, dual vanity, and a generously sized walk-in
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