# Living in Apopka, Florida

> Apopka, Florida in numbers: 65,552 residents, $399,492 median sale price (October 2026), 16.0079 mills of property tax, toll rates, drive times, springs, school grades and what is being built.

Source: https://moorerealtyapopka.com/living-in-apopka/ · Last updated 2026-11-12 · Robert Moore, Broker/Owner, Moore Realty Group, Inc. · 352-504-6371

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Apopka, Florida

# Living in *Apopka, Florida.*

What it costs, how long the drive is, where the springs are and what is being built. Every figure below carries its source and its date. Checked November 12, 2026

Short answer

Apopka is a city of 65,552 people (Census estimate, July 1, 2025) in northwest Orange County, 15 to 17 road miles from downtown Orlando. The median home sale price was $399,492 in October 2026 (Redfin), the 2026 property tax rate inside city limits totals 16.0079 mills, and the fastest routes to Orlando, both airports and the theme parks are toll roads.

Population: 65,552Census estimate, July 1, 2025. It was 54,873 in 2020.

Land area: 34.56 sq miCensus Bureau, 2020

Median sale price: $399,492Redfin, October 2026, down 0.77% in a year

ZIP codes: 32703 and 32712Zellwood is 32798

Incorporated: 1882As the "Town of Apopka City"

Mayor: Nick NestaElected in the April 14, 2026 runoff

## Where Apopka is and how it is laid out

Apopka is in northwest Orange County. The City describes itself as the county's second-largest city, and the Census Bureau measured 34.56 square miles of land in 2020. Main Street is US 441 (Orange Blossom Trail). City Hall is at 120 E Main St.

Two ZIP codes cover most Apopka addresses, and neither follows the city limits. Many homes with an Apopka mailing address sit in unincorporated Orange County, and the lake and named subdivisions at Bear Lake are in Seminole County. That decides who supplies water and trash service and which tax rate applies.

- North, toward Kelly Park (32712). Rock Springs Road, [Rock Springs Ridge](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/rock-springs-ridge/), and the SR 429 interchange at Kelly Park Road, where most new construction is: [Crossroads at Kelly Park](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/crossroads-at-kelly-park/), [The Oaks at Kelly Park](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/oaks-at-kelly-park/) and [Wyld Oaks](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/wyld-oaks/).
- Central. Downtown along Main Street, Park Avenue and 5th Street, with [Errol Estate](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/errol-estate/), built mostly from 1972 to 2008, to the northwest off US 441.
- South, toward SR 414 and Clarcona (32703). AdventHealth Apopka, the SR 414 and SR 429 interchange, [Emerson Park](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/emerson-park/), [The Ridge at Apopka](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/ridge-at-apopka/), and unincorporated [Clarcona](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/clarcona/) with its rural lots.
- East, toward Wekiva. SR 436 and Wekiwa Springs Road lead to [Wekiva](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/wekiva/), [Sweetwater](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/sweetwater/), [Piedmont Lakes](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/piedmont-lakes/), Wekiwa Springs State Park and the Seminole County line.
- Northwest. Zellwood is about 5 miles up US 441. [Zellwood Station](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/zellwood-station/) there is an age-restricted (55+) manufactured-home community.

All 34 profiles are in the [neighborhood guides](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/) and on the [Apopka map](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/apopka-map/).

## Housing costs by ZIP code

ZIP 32712, the north side, sold for about $88,900 more than 32703 at the median in October 2026, though the sale price per square foot was lower in 32712: $200 against $209.

Apopka housing by ZIP code, October 2026. Sales from Redfin; list price and rent from Realtor.com

| Measure | 32703 | 32712 | Apopka city |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Median sale price | $367,846 | $456,756 | $399,492 |
| Change in a year | Down 0.58% | Up 5.5% | Down 0.77% |
| Median days on market | 69 | 70 | 73 |
| Sale price per sq ft | $209 | $200 | $205 |
| Median list price | $399,235 | $456,200 | $428,375 |
| Median rent | $2,264 | $2,215 | $2,250 |

In November 2026 builder sites showed homes from $319,990 at [Meadowlark Landing](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/meadowlark-landing/), single-family homes from $379,990 at Crossroads at Kelly Park, and wide-lot homes from $599,990 at [Wolf Lake Ranch](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/wolf-lake-ranch/). Nearly every subdivision profiled has a mandatory HOA. Community Development District (CDD) assessments, which appear on the tax bill, are confirmed in four of the newest communities. More in the [market report](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/apopka-housing-market/) and [what your budget buys](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/tools/what-your-budget-buys/).

## Property tax and insurance

The final 2026 rate inside Apopka city limits is 16.0079 mills: 6.3430 for schools, 4.4347 for Orange County, 4.6761 for the City, 0.3748 for the library district and 0.1793 for the St. Johns River Water Management District. The base rate in unincorporated Orange County is 15.9798 mills. On $350,000 of taxable value that is about $5,603 a year in the city and $5,593 outside it, before any CDD.

The City raised its own rate from 4.4376 to 4.6761 mills for fiscal year 2026-27. The homestead exemption for the 2026 tax year is $25,000 plus up to $26,411 on non-school taxes. Voters approved Amendment 3 on November 3, 2026 with about 62% (unofficial until certified), which would raise the non-school exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. People who become Florida residents after 2026 would start at up to $50,000. The implementing law has not passed, so any 2027 or 2028 figure is an estimate.

Do not use the seller's tax bill

After a sale the assessed value resets to market value on the following January 1. Run your own number in the [property tax calculator](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/tools/property-tax/).

Homeowners insurance in Orange County averaged $3,610 a year with wind coverage, according to Florida Office of Insurance Regulation figures dated July 1, 2026 as quoted by insurance agencies. Citizens requires a four-point inspection on homes more than 20 years old. See the [insurance and inspections guide](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/guides/florida-home-insurance-inspections/).

## Getting around

Highways. US 441 and SR 436 (Semoran Boulevard) are the toll-free arterials. SR 429, the Wekiva Parkway, has ramps at US 441 and Kelly Park Road and has reached I-4 and SR 417 since January 2024. SR 414, the Apopka Expressway, runs toward Maitland and I-4.

Tolls. Central Florida Expressway Authority rates effective July 1, 2026, for a two-axle vehicle with a transponder: $0.98 at the SR 429 Ponkan plaza, $0.93 at Mt. Plymouth, $1.72 at Forest Lake, $1.38 at the SR 414 Coral Hills plaza and $0.79 at the SR 453 Coronado plaza. Pay By Plate is double. E-PASS and SunPass both work.

Off-peak drive times from Apopka City Hall, 120 E Main St. One routing query, about 9:15 PM on Wednesday, November 11, 2026

| Destination | Fastest route | Tolls | Toll-free alternative |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Downtown Orlando (City Hall) | 24 min, 17.1 mi via SR 414 and I-4 | Yes | 28 min, 15.1 mi via US 441 |
| Orlando International Airport | 35 min, 31.1 mi via Florida's Turnpike | Yes | 48 min, 27.1 mi via I-4 |
| Orlando Sanford International Airport | 35 min, 31.0 mi via SR 429 north | Yes | 41 min, 23.1 mi via I-4 |
| Magic Kingdom | 40 min, 34.9 mi via Florida's Turnpike and I-4 | Yes | 45 min, 36.4 mi via I-4 |
| Universal Orlando | 29 min, 23.0 mi via SR 429 and Florida's Turnpike | Yes | 38 min, 17.0 mi on surface streets |
| University of Central Florida | 38 min, 31.8 mi via SR 408 | Yes | 47 min, 22.1 mi via SR 436 |
| Winter Garden (City Hall) | 21 min, 11.4 mi via Ocoee Apopka Rd and SR 429 | Yes | 25 min, 10.9 mi via Ocoee Apopka Rd |
| Lake Mary (City Hall) | 32 min, 16.9 mi via I-4 | No | Same route |
| Mount Dora (City Hall) | 24 min, 13.4 mi via US 441 | No | Same route |
| Altamonte Springs SunRail station | 24 min, 9.9 mi via SR 436 | No | Same route |
| New Smyrna Beach | 71 min, 56.3 mi via SR 436, I-4 and SR 44 | No | Same route |

These are off-peak times

They were measured once, late on a holiday evening. Rush-hour times were not measured and will be longer. The Census Bureau's mean travel time to work for Apopka residents is 31.3 minutes (ACS 2020-2024). Test your own route in the [commute tool](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/tools/commute-times/), then drive it on a weekday morning.

Transit. LYNX runs four bus routes from the Apopka SuperStop downtown: Link 44, Link 106 to LYNX Central Station in Orlando, the Link 405 Apopka Circulator, and Link 436N to the Altamonte Springs SunRail station. SunRail has no Apopka station and runs Monday to Friday only. Redfin shows a Walk Score of 18 for the city (November 2026).

## Parks and springs

Parks and springs in and next to Apopka: hours, fees and entry rules, checked November 2026

| Place | Hours | Cost | Know before you go |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wekiwa Springs State Park | 8 a.m. to sundown, every day | $6 per vehicle (two to eight people); $4 single occupant; $2 on foot or bike | Day-use reservations are required for everyone, annual passholders included, since September 2, 2025. You pay when you reserve. |
| Kelly Park / Rock Springs (Orange County) | Summer 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; winter 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $5 per vehicle since August 11, 2026 (was $3) | Limit of 280 vehicles a day. The gate closes to new entries when that is reached. Bring a tube or rent one outside the park. |
| Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive | Gate open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and federal holidays only | Free | One-way, 11 miles, starting at 2850 Lust Road. The water management district posts occasional closures. |
| West Orange Trail | Sunrise to sunset | Check the county page | 22.32 paved miles from the Lake County line through Winter Garden and downtown Apopka. Bike rentals are in Winter Garden, not Apopka. |
| Northwest Recreation Complex (City) | Holiday hours 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; check the City page for other days | Check the City page | More than 180 acres: 12 ball fields, 14 multi-purpose fields, courts, and the Apopka Amphitheater with more than 1,300 fixed seats. |
| Magnolia Park (Orange County) | Summer 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; winter 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Check the county page | On Lake Apopka at 2929 S Binion Road. Tent and RV camping. |
| Kit Land Nelson Park (City) | Check the City page | Check the City page | Five acres off Park Avenue. Site of the Apopka Fair, the Art and Foliage Festival and the tree lighting. |

## Schools

Apopka is served by Orange County Public Schools (OCPS). Florida assigns each school a letter grade every year. These are the 2025-26 grades, released in July 2026.

Public schools with Apopka-area addresses and their Florida Department of Education grade, 2025-26

| School | Grades served | 2025-26 state grade |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Apopka High School | 9-12 | B |
| Wekiva High School | 9-12 | C |
| Apopka Memorial Middle School | 6-8 | B |
| Wolf Lake Middle School | 6-8 | A |
| Piedmont Lakes Middle School | 6-8 | B |
| Kelly Park School | PK-8 | A |
| Wolf Lake Elementary School | K-5 | A |
| Apopka Elementary School | K-5 | B |
| Dream Lake Elementary School | K-5 | B |
| Rock Springs Elementary School | PK-5 | C |
| Clay Springs Elementary School | K-5 | B |
| Lakeville Elementary School | K-5 | B |
| Lovell Elementary School | K-5 | C |
| Phillis Wheatley Elementary School | K-5 | C |
| Zellwood Elementary School | K-5 | C |

Zoning is by address and it changes

OCPS approved boundary changes on May 12, 2026 that moved 105 students among Kelly Park School, Wolf Lake Elementary, Wolf Lake Middle and Zellwood Elementary for 2026-27. The letters above were read from a republished copy of the state file. Confirm the zoned schools for any address with the [OCPS attendance zone maps](https://www.ocps.net/school-attendance-zone-maps), and the current grade with the [Florida Department of Education](https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/accountability-reporting/school-grades/). Homes on the Seminole County side of Bear Lake are served by Seminole County Public Schools, not OCPS.

## Utilities

- Water, sewer, reclaimed water and trash inside city limits: City of Apopka. You open a Utility Billing account before collection starts.
- Unincorporated addresses: Orange County Utilities where it serves. Some rural parcels use a private well and septic system.
- Electric: Duke Energy Florida is the investor-owned utility for the area. That was not confirmed address by address, so use Duke's lookup.
- Septic: much of the Apopka and Wekiva area is inside the Wekiwa Springs priority focus area, where lots under one acre with a conventional septic system face a requirement to convert, and owners must connect within one year of sewer becoming available. Ask which system a home has.

## Events through the year

Recurring Apopka events with the most recent confirmed dates, checked November 11, 2026

| Month | Event | Where | Latest confirmed date |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| March | Apopka Fair (Rotary Club of Apopka) | Kit Land Nelson Park | March 12 to 15, 2026. Free admission, $5 parking. |
| April | Apopka Art and Foliage Festival | Kit Land Nelson Park | April 25 and 26, 2026. Next: April 24 and 25, 2027. |
| July | Independence Day celebration and fireworks | Apopka Amphitheater | July 4, 2026, 6 to 9 p.m. |
| September | Hispanic Heritage Celebration | Kit Land Nelson Park | September 26, 2026 |
| September to May | Market on Fifth | 40 E 5th St, downtown | Fridays, 6 to 9 p.m. |
| October | Halloween in the Park | Kit Land Nelson Park | October 24, 2026 |
| November | Veterans Day ceremony; Saturday Sounds concert | Saturday Sounds is at the Apopka Amphitheater | November 11 and November 14, 2026. The concert is free, 5 to 7 p.m. |
| December | Tree Lighting and Holiday Market | Kit Land Nelson Park | Friday, December 4, 2026 |
| December | Apopka Christmas Parade (50th annual) | Park Avenue | Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 a.m. to noon |

The City budgeted Saturday Sounds as a monthly concert for fiscal year 2026-27. Dates for the 2027 fair had not been posted when this page was checked.

## Food and drink

Open as of November 11, 2026. The first four were confirmed through their own sites or dated posts; the others by active listings only, so call ahead.

- Hall's on 5th, 15 E 5th St: a food hall with about six vendors and a cocktail bar.
- Propagate Social House, 40 E 5th St: coffee by day, cocktails later.
- The Nauti Lobstah, 311 S Forest Ave: New England-style seafood.
- The Back Room Steakhouse, 1418 Rock Springs Rd: open Wednesday to Sunday evenings.
- Coffee: Canon Coffee (74 W 2nd St), Calypso Coffee Bar (1466 Rock Springs Rd), True Coffee (66 E Station St).
- Also listed: Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant and Caffe Positano on E Semoran Blvd, Stephie's Pub and Irish Eatery, Rock Springs Bar and Grill, Mecatos Bakery and Cafe, and Miller's Ale House on E Main St.

## Growth and what is being built

Apopka grew from 41,542 residents in 2010 to 54,873 in 2020 and an estimated 65,552 by July 2025, a gain of 19.4% since the 2020 count. Most new building is at the Kelly Park Road interchange and in the southwest near SR 414.

- A new 48,387 square foot Publix, the city's fourth, opened on September 24, 2026 at Ocoee Apopka Road and Keene Road.
- HCA Florida Wekiva Emergency, a freestanding 24-hour emergency room on US 441, began treating patients on March 10, 2026.
- The Kelly Park Road widening began in March 2026 with a target finish of Thanksgiving 2027 and an unresolved funding shortfall.

Every project is in the [development tracker](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/apopka-new-development/).

## Trade-offs to weigh

Each of these is a documented fact, not an opinion.

- The fast routes cost money. The quickest way to downtown Orlando, both airports and the theme parks is tolled. US 441, the toll-free route downtown, ran 28 minutes off-peak against 24 on the expressway. Peak-hour times were not measured.
- Road work is not finished. Kelly Park Road is being widened through 2027, the SR 429 widening south of SR 414 was still under construction in fall 2026, and an SR 414 extension to I-4 is scheduled for 2028 to 2031.
- Wind and insurance. First Street's model, shown on Redfin, rates wind risk "extreme" for 100% of Apopka properties. Orange County homeowners premiums averaged $3,610 a year with wind coverage.
- Heat and storms. The same model rates heat risk "severe" for 64% of homes and flood risk "moderate", with about 3% of properties (505) likely to be severely affected over 30 years. Apopka is inland, so the storm hazard is wind and rain, not surge.
- The springs fill up. Kelly Park stops admitting vehicles at 280 a day, and Wekiwa Springs requires a reservation for every visit.
- Taxes and fees went up. The City's millage rose from 4.4376 to 4.6761 for 2026-27, and the City's police, fire and parks impact fees on a new single-family home rose from $2,515 to $3,578.
- Two golf courses are closed. Rock Springs Ridge's course has been closed since 2014, with a restoration plan targeting 2027. Errol Estate's course is closed and the land's future use is undetermined.

## Questions people ask about Apopka

### Is Apopka a good place to live?

That depends on what your household needs, so here are the measurable facts. The median sale price was $399,492 and the median rent $2,250 in October 2026. Downtown Orlando is 24 to 28 minutes away off-peak, and two spring parks, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive and the West Orange Trail are in or next to the city.

### How far is Apopka from downtown Orlando?

About 17.1 miles and 24 minutes off-peak on SR 414 and I-4, or 15.1 miles and 28 minutes toll-free on US 441, measured between the two city halls on November 11, 2026. Rush-hour times are longer and were not measured.

### How far is Apopka from Disney World and Universal?

Magic Kingdom is about 26 miles and 42 minutes off-peak via SR 429 south. Universal Orlando is about 23 miles and 29 minutes via SR 429 and Florida's Turnpike. Both routes are tolled.

### Do you have to pay tolls living in Apopka?

Only on the expressways. SR 429, SR 414 and SR 453 are tolled; US 441 and SR 436 are free. With a transponder, rates effective July 1, 2026 at the plazas nearest Apopka run from $0.35 to $1.72, and Pay By Plate is double.

### Does SunRail go to Apopka?

No. The nearest station is Altamonte Springs, about 10 miles away, reached by LYNX Link 436N. A rail line through Apopka toward Mount Dora remains an unfunded concept with no timeline (The Apopka Chief, April 20, 2026).

### What is the property tax rate in Apopka?

The total 2026 rate inside city limits is 16.0079 mills, or about $16.01 per $1,000 of taxable value. Unincorporated Orange County addresses pay a base of 15.9798 mills. Estimate a specific home with the [property tax calculator](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/tools/property-tax/).

### Do you need a reservation for Wekiwa Springs or Kelly Park?

Wekiwa Springs State Park requires a day-use reservation for every visitor, and the $6 vehicle fee is paid when you reserve. Kelly Park / Rock Springs works on a daily limit instead: 280 vehicles at $5 each, and it closes to new entries when the limit is reached.

### What is the difference between north and south Apopka?

In geographic terms, ZIP 32712 is roughly the north side: Rock Springs Road, Kelly Park and the SR 429 interchange. ZIP 32703 is downtown plus the south and east, along SR 436 and SR 414. The median sale price in October 2026 was $456,756 in 32712 and $367,846 in 32703 (Redfin).

## Keep going

- [Moving to Apopka: the relocation guide](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/guides/moving-to-apopka-fl/)
- [All 34 neighborhood guides](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/neighborhoods/) and the [neighborhood match tool](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/tools/neighborhood-match/)
- [Monthly payment on a median-priced home](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/tools/mortgage-calculator/?price=399492) and the [affordability calculator](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/tools/affordability/)
- [Apopka answers: 40 questions](https://moorerealtyapopka.com/answers/)

To narrow this to a few streets that fit your budget and commute, call or text Robert Moore at 352-504-6371. He can pull closed sales, HOA documents and the tax record for any address on your list.

Sources: [U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts](https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/apopkacityflorida/PST045225), [Redfin](https://www.redfin.com/city/441/FL/Apopka/housing-market), [Orange County Property Appraiser 2026 final millage chart](https://ocpaimages.ocpafl.org/api/Content/GetContentDynamicFile?contentFileID=418587), [Central Florida Expressway Authority toll rates](https://www.cfxway.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CFX-Toll-Rates-As-of-July-1-2026-FINAL.pdf), [Florida State Parks](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/wekiwa-springs-state-park/hours-fees), [Orange County Parks](https://www.ocfl.net/cultureparks/parks.aspx?d=22&m=dtlvw), [Orange County Public Schools](https://www.ocps.net/school-attendance-zone-maps), [City of Apopka](https://www.apopka.gov/479/Mayor-City-Council). Checked November 2026.