LEESBURG, Fla. – Nestled in the heart of Lake County, Leesburg is experiencing a significant surge in both population and development.
Recent Census data reveals that Leesburg’s population has surpassed 31,000, reflecting an impressive nearly 9% increase from 2022 to 2023. This growth rate ranks among the fastest in the nation.
John Wszeborowski, who works at Stafford’s Barbershop in downtown Leesburg, has observed the transformation firsthand.
“In the last year, it’s changed so much with all the new restaurants and developments,” he said. “The shop has been here for just over a year, and business is really picking up.”
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New neighborhoods are emerging across the city, largely driven by the expansion of The Villages, a nearby retirement community with a population of 152,000.
Leesburg has 40,000 new housing units that have been approved, according to city manager Al Minner.
“It’s Leesburg’s time in the crosshairs,” he said.
The Villages has been acquiring land from neighboring cities, contributing significantly to the regional growth. Between 2010 and 2020, the combined population of Fruitland Park, Lady Lake, Leesburg, and Wildwood increased by about 50%, primarily due to the job opportunities generated by The Villages.
“Contrary to popular belief, The Villages’ growth is the biggest catalyst for our immediate expansion,” Minner explained. “Their growth rates are astonishingly rapid.”
The influx of new residents not only boosts the community but also generates substantial tax revenue for the city.
“It’s almost a billion dollars now,” Minner noted. “When we started, our taxable value was $1.2 billion. This year, it’s reached $3.2 billion, with an increase of $750 million just this year alone.”
A portion of this new revenue is being allocated to enhance public safety. Minner said the city has plans to hire a dozen new police officers and six firefighters in the near future.
Additionally, the city is focusing on revitalizing older properties, including purchasing The Tropic building in downtown Leesburg for $2.4 million. Starting in January, The Mellon Patch theater group will move to The Tropic with the goal of bringing more vitality to the downtown corridor.
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