Southwest Florida's Rapidly Growing Communities: The Villages, Lakewood Ranch, Babcock Ranch, and Wellen Park
Four of the fastest growing communities in the U.S. are in Southwest Florida, with The Villages averaging 10 new homes daily in 2025. Lakewood Ranch, near Sarasota and Bradenton, ranks second nationally with nearly six homes a day, totaling 2,085.
Babcock Ranch is fourth in the U.S., with nearly three homes daily and a record 128 transactions in November 2025. Wellen Park, formerly West Villages, ranks eighth in the country with 992 homes sold. Ave Maria follows with 515 homes sold, marking its position 25th nationwide.
New developments include PulteGroup's 328-acre Gatherpoint in Ave Maria, featuring 947 units and the area's first natural gas community. NCH plans significant medical developments in Ave Maria, including a freestanding emergency room and additional medical facilities. Babcock Ranch aims for 20,000 residences and 6 million square feet of commercial space by 2053.
