KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Florida dominates the fastest-growing retirement markets, with Leesburg leading nationwide.
- Arizona’s West Valley (Goodyear, Peoria) is the desert alternative, though prices run higher.
- The Carolinas are surging—coastal Myrtle Beach and Leland offer growth without Florida’s saturation.
- Fast growth doesn’t always mean expensive—the Central Florida area (Leesburg, Clermont) posts the lowest median 55+ home price on this list.
- Every market here has real 55+ communities you can tour today.
Roughly 4.1 million Americans are turning 65 every year through 2027—what researchers call “Peak 65“—and adults 65 and older now make up 18% of the U.S. population, according to the Census Bureau. That wave of new retirees is reshaping where people choose to spend their next chapter, and a handful of towns are absorbing far more of it than others. Eight of the fastest-growing retirement destinations are Leesburg, Goodyear, Peoria, Clermont, Myrtle Beach, North Port, Fort Myers, and Leland, based on a 2025 GOBankingRates analysis of U.S. Census data tracking five-year growth in each city’s 65-and-older population.
Florida claims half the list, but Arizona’s West Valley and two rising Carolina markets round it out. Here’s what’s driving each one’s growth, what a home there actually costs, and which real 55+ communities give you a way in.
Summary Table
| Destination | Five-Year Growth in Population Ages 65+ (2018–2023) | Median 55+ Home Sale Price (55places Market Insights, Oct 2026)* |
|---|---|---|
| Leesburg, FL | +54.8% | $300,000 |
| Goodyear, AZ | +54.1% | $412,500 |
| Peoria, AZ | +42.3% | $412,500 |
| Clermont, FL | +38.5% | $300,000 |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | +37.2% | $511,250 |
| North Port, FL | ~+49% (2024 study) | $428,500 |
| Fort Myers, FL | ~+42% (2024 study) | $539,250 |
| Leland, NC | Not available | $511,250 |
Sources: GOBankingRates (growth) (2025 and earlier retirement-boomtown studies), using U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey data; 55places Market Insights (October 2026). Population growth figures represent changes in the population ages 65 and older over five years. Home-price figures represent median sales prices for homes in 55+ communities across wider metro areas—Central Florida (Leesburg, Clermont), Phoenix (Goodyear, Peoria), Central Gulf Coast (North Port), Ft. Myers–Naples (Fort Myers), and Myrtle Beach–Wilmington (Myrtle Beach, Leland)—not the city alone.
1. Leesburg, Florida
Leesburg tops the list, and it’s affordable to boot. The city’s 65-and-older population grew 54.8% over five years, the fastest rate among the 50 retirement boomtowns in a 2025 GOBankingRates study. Residents ages 65 and older accounted for 28.9% of the population in 2023. Home prices help make the case, too: across the wider Central Florida area, the median sale price for 55+ homes was about $300,000, the lowest among the markets on this list, according to 55places Market Insights data (October 2026). Leesburg is surrounded by inland lakes and offers local shopping and medical care, while Orlando is roughly 35 minutes away and Orlando International Airport about 50 minutes away. Established 55+ options include Plantation at Leesburg, Arlington Ridge and Legacy of Leesburg.
Well-Suited For: Buyers who want fast-growing Central Florida living without a coastal price tag.
2. Goodyear, Arizona
Goodyear ranks second among the 50 retirement boomtowns in the 2025 GOBankingRates study, with its population ages 65 and older growing 54.1% between 2018 and 2023. As a Phoenix West Valley suburb, Goodyear offers abundant sunshine and established resort-style 55+ communities. Across the Phoenix area, the median sale price for 55+ homes was approximately $412,500, according to 55places Market Insights (October 2026). That’s higher than the Leesburg and Clermont markets on this list, but lower than several of the other Florida destinations. Named communities include PebbleCreek, one of 55places’ highest-rated Arizona communities, and CantaMia at Estrella.
Well-Suited For: Retirees who want dry heat and large, amenity-rich master-planned communities.
3. Peoria, Arizona
Farther north in the West Valley, Peoria is another fast-growing retirement market, with its population ages 65 and older increasing 42.3% over five years, according to GOBankingRates’ 2025 study. Peoria offers access to Lake Pleasant recreation, desert golf courses, and a cluster of established master-planned communities, several with more than 1,000 homes. Across the Phoenix area, the median sale price for 55+ homes was approximately $412,500, according to 55places Market Insights (October 2026), though individual Peoria communities have historically spanned from the low $200ks to high $600ks, while Trilogy at Vistancia® ranges from the low $400ks to more than $1 million. Other established communities include Westbrook Village, with 3,910 homes and two 18-hole golf courses, and Ventana Lakes, a 1,701-home community with nine lakes.
Well-Suited For: West Valley seekers who want lake recreation and a range of price points.
4. Clermont, Florida
Clermont grew 38.5% over five years in its 65-and-older population, according to the 2025 GOBankingRates ranking (an earlier 2024 study had it even higher, at 54%). Known as the “Choice of Champions” for its rolling hills, the city offers trails and lake-dotted terrain that’s unusual for Florida, all within a short drive of Orlando. Clermont shares the Central Florida area’s $300,000 median 55+ sale price, per 55places Market Insights (October 2026). Named communities include Kings Ridge, along with Heritage Hills and Summit Greens.
Well-Suited For: Active retirees who want hills, trails, and theme-park-close convenience.
5. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach’s population ages 65 and older grew 37.2% over five years, according to GOBankingRates’ 2025 study. South Carolina also led the nation in net migration of adults 65 and older in 2025, adding 5,427 more older residents through moves into the state than it lost to moves out, according to HireAHelper. The wider Myrtle Beach–Wilmington area had a $511,250 median 55+ sale price, per 55places Market Insights (October 2026). However, buyers can find less expensive options in nearby Conway. Myrtle Trace offers established single-family homes, while Lakeside Crossing has manufactured homes and resort-style amenities. For buyers seeking lower entry prices elsewhere in the Myrtle Beach area, Myrtle Beach Golf & Yacht Club and Island Green have historically offered some homes below $100,000.
Well-Suited For: Beach-and-golf lovers who want an affordable, tax-friendly Carolina coast.
6. North Port, Florida
North Port’s 65-and-older population grew roughly 49% according to a 2024 GOBankingRates study using 2017–2022 Census data. Just inland from Sarasota’s Gulf beaches, the city is known for Warm Mineral Springs and spring-training baseball. The wider Central Gulf Coast area—which includes North Port, Sarasota, and Bradenton—posts a $428,500 median 55+ sale price, per 55places Market Insights (October 2026). Named communities include Cypress Falls at The Woodlands and Heron Creek.
Well-Suited For: Gulf Coast seekers who want beaches near a below-median price.
Related Article: Retiring on Florida’s Gulf Coast: Best Places, Costs, and 55+ Communities
7. Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers’ population ages 65 and older grew approximately 42% over five years, according to a 2024 GOBankingRates study. A hub of Southwest Florida’s active adult market, the city offers riverfront living, Gulf Coast access, and an extensive selection of 55+ communities. The combined Fort Myers–Naples area had a $539,250 median 55+ sale price, according to 55places Market Insights (October 2026), although that regional figure may reflect Naples’ higher-priced inventory. The data does not separately report a Fort Myers-only median. Established options include Pelican Preserve, a 1,100-acre golf-and-nature community in Fort Myers, and Del Webb Oak Creek, an 821-home 55+ community in nearby North Fort Myers.
Well-Suited For: Southwest Florida buyers who want big-community amenities near the Gulf.
8. Leland, North Carolina
Leland is one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Wilmington area, with residents ages 65 and older accounting for approximately 27.6% of its population, or 7,257 people, according to 2019–2023 American Community Survey estimates. It sits about 10 minutes from historic downtown Wilmington and 30 minutes from Atlantic beaches, and North Carolina’s flat income tax rate is dropping to 3.99% in 2026, with Social Security fully exempt. Leland shares the Myrtle Beach–Wilmington area’s $511,250 median 55+ sale price, per 55places Market Insights (October 2026). Named communities include Brunswick Forest, a 4,500-acre coastal community, and Compass Pointe.
Well-Suited For: Coastal Carolina seekers who want small-town charm minutes from a historic river city.
Why Retirees Are Flocking to These Boomtowns
The demand behind this growth is demographic: Roughly 4.1 million Americans are turning 65 each year from 2024 through 2027, a period known as the “Peak 65,” per AARP. Adults ages 65 and older accounted for 18% of the U.S. population in 2024, according to the Census Bureau.
Where those older Americans choose to live comes down to a familiar set of factors. Affordability matters, as do state taxes: Florida and Tennessee have no state income tax at all, Arizona has a flat 2.5% rate, North Carolina’s flat rate drops to 3.99% in 2026, and South Carolina’s new 2026 system has rates of 1.99% and 5.21%, depending on taxable income. North Carolina and South Carolina also exempt Social Security benefits from state income tax. Climate and access to an established community of peers matter, too. These aren’t undiscovered retirement destinations; they’re places where 55+ living is already well established.
Migration data reinforces the trend, with some notable shifts. Florida remained the leading state for net migration among adults ages 60 and older in 2023, gaining 44,504 residents, according to SmartAsset’s analysis of Census Bureau data. However, that was down from a net gain of 77,290 in 2022. More recent 2025 moving-industry data from HireAHelper shows South Carolina leading the country in net migration among adults ages 65 and older, with a gain of 5,427. Texas followed with 5,156, while North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arizona recorded gains of 3,202, 3,191, and 2,512, respectively. Florida still attracted the most inbound moves, but its net gain was just 815. Together, the studies suggest that retirement migration remains strong across the Southeast and Southwest, even as Florida’s traditional dominance faces more competition.
How to Choose the Right Fast-Growing Destination for You
With eight fast-growing markets to choose from, the right one comes down to fit more than ranking:
- Match the climate you actually want—dry desert heat, Gulf Coast humidity, or the milder four-season feel of the Carolinas.
- Set a realistic budget against the home-value ranges above; some of these markets run well below the U.S. typical, others above.
- Weigh state taxes against your specific income mix of Social Security, pensions, and retirement withdrawals.
- Decide between a large master-planned community and a smaller, more intimate one—both styles show up across this list.
- Visit before you buy, and lean on a local expert who knows the market’s inventory and pricing firsthand.
Ready to see what’s actually available in one of these markets? Connect with a 55places real estate expert who works there.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Fastest-Growing Retirement Town in the U.S.?
Leesburg, Florida, tops the 2025 GOBankingRates ranking, with its 65-and-older population growing 54.8% over five years.
Where Are Retirees Moving in 2026?
Florida still draws the most retirees overall, but South Carolina led all states for net gains of adults 65 and older in 2025, with Arizona and the Carolinas close behind.
Why Is Florida So Popular With Retirees?
No state income tax, warm weather, and the country’s deepest inventory of 55+ communities all help explain why four of the eight fastest-growing markets here are in Florida.
Are These Fast-Growing Towns Affordable?
It varies by region: the Central Florida area (Leesburg and Clermont) posts the lowest median 55+ home sale price on this list at $300,000, while the Ft. Myers–Naples and Myrtle Beach–Wilmington areas run considerably higher, per 55places Market Insights.
How Is “Fastest-Growing” Measured?
These rankings track the five-year percentage change in each city’s population age 65 and older, using U.S. Census data.
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