The US County With The Highest Baby Boomer Population

Discovering that the county with the nation's most significant baby boomer concentration exists in Florida probably won't come as much of a surprise. After all, according to a Smart Asset study, the largest percentage of boomers deciding to relocate are coming to Florida cities. Sumter County is the focal point of this migration. According to a study by the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), the central Florida county had a population of 144,970 in 2022, with 37.8% of residents (54,866) aged 60 to 74 — squarely in the boomer cohort. At the same time, the U.S. Census Bureau pins Sumter County's 2024 population at 154,693, with a whopping 57.2% of residents aged 65 and up. These figures mean that Sumter County has the highest percentage of boomers amongst all counties across the nation, with the second spot going to Catron County, New Mexico, where the cohort's concentration stands at 37.1%.

One of the key reasons why baby boomers are attracted to Sumter County is the local planned retirement community called The Villages. Property management consultants RCLCO named The Villages as the best-selling adult community, with 3,611 home sales in 2025. The Villages also ranked number one in 2024, with 3,208 transactions, showing a 13% increase in sales year over year. The most recent Census Bureau figures (from April 2020) show that The Villages' population is 79,077. Meanwhile, a separate Census Bureau report found that the larger Wildwood-The Villages metropolitan area population had grown by 5% between 2022 and 2023 to reach 151,565 residents. The report cited this region as the country's fastest-growing metropolitan area. 

Average costs of living in a retirement community can vary widely, but the planned retirement community of The Villages listed surprisingly affordable ones as of January 2026, with homes in the low 200,000s, and utilities, taxes, insurance, and amenities starting at $969 monthly. In Sumter County overall, the cost of living is 2.1% lower than the national average and 5% lower than state average, according to Best Places. The county is also a great place for retirees looking for affordable homes — Best Neighborhoods notes that the median home price in Sumter County is $238,762, which is 14% lower than the Sunshine State's median price of $278,762. And since Florida is one of the states without a state tax, the county's residents get to keep more of their income. The relatively low cost of living and home prices help boomers afford life in Florida, and are likely reasons this cohort is congregating in Sumter County in such significant numbers. 

Boomers settling in Sumter County also enjoy Florida's sunshine and plentiful recreational activities. Folks who call the county home can hike and bike in numerous Sumter County and state parks and go boating in Lake Minoa Park. Boomers planning to fish during their retirement years may flock to Lake Panasoffkee in Wildwood. About $28 million was spent to restore fisheries there and to otherwise enhance its natural resources. Sumter County overflows with restaurants, and the menus are packed with diverse offerings. During Florida's peak strawberry season — which lasts through February and March — desserts flavored with this fruit abound. Plenty of coffee shops are located in the county, and these also offer tea options as a nod to the Southern location.