The master-planned community market in 2025 is defined by resilience and reinvention. Developers are adapting to higher interest rates while responding to buyers’ growing desire for lifestyle, value, and connection. From expansive age-restricted havens in Florida to innovative, eco-minded towns and family-centered neighborhoods across the Sunbelt, this year’s top 20 communities highlight where Americans are choosing to live and what they expect from their ideal neighborhoods.
For the eleventh consecutive year, The Villages in Central Florida holds the top spot with an astounding 1,759 sales through mid-2025. This 55+ community continues to outperform the market through sheer scale, offering 56 golf courses, nightly entertainment, and a fully self-sufficient lifestyle that has helped make it the fastest-growing metro area in the country. One of the biggest surprises on this year’s list is Cadence in Henderson, Nevada. They have rocketed up the rankings with 702 sales, proving that value-conscious buyers will flock to well-executed communities offering homes from the mid-$300,000s.
Houston's Sunterra, which recently opened Texas' first Crystal Lagoons amenity, has maintained its position as the state's top seller, while Babcock Ranch near Fort Myers continues attracting buyers to America's first solar-powered town. Traditional powerhouses like Lakewood Ranch and Wellen Park in Sarasota show that Florida's appeal extends well beyond retirees, with multigenerational offerings that span from starter homes to luxury estates.
What these 20 communities have in common is a clear understanding that today’s buyers are looking for more than just a house. Features like Bridgeland’s 900 acres of trails, Summerlin’s 300 parks, and Painted Tree’s National Parks-inspired layout show that the most successful master plans go beyond building homes. They create complete environments where people can work, play, connect, and stay for the long term, transforming the idea of a master-planned community from a collection of homes into a vibrant way of life.
City: Orlando, Florida
Developer: Reader Communities
2025 Sales (YTD): 1,759
2Q 2025 Sales: 842
America's top-selling master-planned community spans 57 square miles across three Central Florida counties with over 150,000 residents. The 55+ community offers 56 golf courses, 100+ recreation centers, and free nightly entertainment 365 days a year. Its self-contained ecosystem includes three town squares, healthcare facilities, and comprehensive services that have made it the fastest-growing U.S. metro area.
City: Sarasota, Florida
Developer: Schroeder-Manatee Ranch
2025 Sales (YTD): 985
2Q 2025 Sales: 569
This multigenerational powerhouse between Tampa and Sarasota spans 35,000 acres with homes from the $200,000s to over $4 million. The Uihlein family has owned the development since 1922, creating distinct villages, a 75-acre Sports Campus, premier shopping and dining, while preserving 46% of the land for conservation. Over 50,000 residents call it home, with everything from starter homes to luxury golf course estates across multiple school districts.
City: Las Vegas, Nevada
Developer: The LandWell Company
2025 Sales (YTD): 702
2Q 2025 Sales: 349
Henderson's fastest-growing community offers exceptional value in the Las Vegas market with homes from the mid-$300,000s to $800,000s. The 2,200-acre development dedicates 450 acres to open space, featuring a 50-acre Central Park, resident-only pool complex, and extensive trail system. Its strategic location, just 15 minutes from the Strip and proximity to employment centers, has made it a haven for young families and professionals.
City: Houston, Texas
Developer: Starwood Land Advisors
2025 Sales (YTD): 432
2Q 2025 Sales: 287
Texas's top-selling community for three consecutive years features the state's first Crystal Lagoons amenity, a 3.5-acre turquoise lagoon. Located in Houston's Katy area, the development offers homes from multiple builders ranging from the $300,000s to $700,000s. Beyond the signature lagoon with white sand beaches and kayaking, residents enjoy pools, parks, and proximity to major employment corridors along the Grand Parkway.
City: Tampa, Florida
Developer: Metro Development Group
2025 Sales (YTD): 352
2Q 2025 Sales: 275
Hill Country beauty meets modern amenities in this San Antonio community, which features a resort-style amenity center with pools, sports courts, and miles of trails. Housing options range from the $200,000s to $500,000s, attracting young families and empty nesters alike. The location along Loop 1604 provides easy access to major employment centers while balancing natural preservation with thoughtful development.
City: Punta Gorda, Florida
Developer: Kitson & Partners
2025 Sales (YTD): 467
2Q 2025 Sales: 265
America's first solar-powered town uses a solar farm to provide 100% renewable energy to all homes and businesses. Near Punta Gorda, the development preserves 73,000 acres of surrounding land while building a sustainable community for 50,000 eventual residents. Developer Syd Kitson's vision includes autonomous shuttles, extensive trails, organic farming, and a downtown district, earning TIME Magazine recognition as a model for climate-resilient development.
City: Sarasota, Florida
Developer: West Villages Partnership
2025 Sales (YTD): 535
2Q 2025 Sales: 249
Formerly West Villages, this Sarasota County development centers around the Atlanta Braves' CoolToday Park spring training facility and a vibrant downtown district. Homes range from the $200,000s to over $1 million across multiple villages, with 2,000+ acres dedicated to parks and preserves. Plans call for 30,000 homes, three million square feet of commercial space, and comprehensive amenities in one of Florida's most ambitious developments.
City: Charleston, South Carolina
Developer: Gramling Brothers Real Estate & Development
2025 Sales (YTD): 500
2Q 2025 Sales: 235
South Carolina's top-selling community for over a decade, with homes from the $200,000s to $600,000s. A 300-acre lake anchors the development alongside a YMCA, a championship golf course, and extensive commercial development, including shopping and dining. The strategic location near Charleston and major employers like Volvo and Mercedes-Benz, combined with highly-rated schools, continues attracting families and retirees.
City: Las Vegas, Nevada
Developer: The Howard Hughes Corporation
2025 Sales (YTD): 504
2Q 2025 Sales: 235
Three decades of development have shaped this community on Las Vegas's western edge, now home to over 100,000 residents. The community features 300+ parks, 200+ miles of trails, 10 golf courses, and premier shopping at Downtown Summerlin, plus professional sports venues, including Las Vegas Ballpark. Homes range from the $400,000s to over $4 million across 30+ villages, offering diverse housing and lifestyle options just minutes from the Strip.
City: Jacksonville, Florida
Developer: The Hutson Companies
2025 Sales (YTD): 529
2Q 2025 Sales: 224
Conservation takes center stage in St. Johns County, where 4,350 acres of the 11,000-acre footprint remain preserved as natural habitat. Just south of Jacksonville, the development features an 18-hole championship golf course, amenity centers with resort-style pools, and miles of trails connecting neighborhoods to Twin Lakes Academy and commercial districts. Homes from the $300,000s to over $1 million attract families seeking top-rated schools and North Florida's natural landscape.
City: Houston, Texas
Developer: The Howard Hughes Corporation
2025 Sales (YTD): 387
2Q 2025 Sales: 214
Texas's first LEED-precertified sustainable community dedicates over 3,000 acres to lakes, trails, and parks. The development features 900 acres of waterways, extensive trail systems, and village centers with shopping and dining serving 26,000 current residents. Howard Hughes Corporation emphasizes sustainability through native landscaping, water conservation, and comprehensive recycling programs alongside homes from the $300,000s to over $1 million.
City: Lakeland, Florida
Developer: Condev Companies
2025 Sales (YTD): 409
2Q 2025 Sales: 209
Central Florida's I-4 corridor growth continues with this Lakeland community offering attainable homes between Tampa and Orlando's employment centers. Traditional neighborhood design guides the development, with parks, trails, and recreation facilities serving diverse buyer profiles. The location provides convenient access to major theme parks, downtown districts, and Polk County's emerging medical and education sectors.
City: Georgetown, Texas
Developer: PulteGroup
2025 Sales (YTD): 410
2Q 2025 Sales: 201
Del Webb's premier 55+ community in Georgetown features three championship golf courses, 86,000 square feet of indoor amenities, and over 100 clubs. Low-maintenance homes range from the $300,000s to $700,000s with resort-style amenities including 26 pickleball courts, multiple pools, and fitness centers. Located 30 minutes north of Austin, the development blends Hill Country beauty with urban accessibility for active adults.
City: Houston, Texas
Developer: PulteGroup
2025 Sales (YTD): 355
2Q 2025 Sales: 198
Rolling terrain and mature trees frame this Houston northwest corridor community focused on connectivity and outdoor recreation. A crystal-clear lagoon anchors the amenities alongside resort-style pools, fitness facilities, and miles of trails connecting neighborhoods to parks and commercial areas. Homes from the $300,000s to $600,000s and proximity to major employers along Highway 249 serve growing families seeking suburban comfort with urban convenience.
City: Phoenix, Arizona
Developer: D.R. Horton; Brookfield Residential
2025 Sales (YTD): 422
2Q 2025 Sales: 197
Queen Creek's massive development plans for 70,000 homes across 28,000 acres in the shadow of the Superstition Mountains, making it one of Arizona's most ambitious projects. Extensive open space preservation, regional parks, and trail systems connect to the broader Phoenix metro area. Current phases offer homes from the $300,000s to $600,000s, drawing families and professionals to the Southeast Valley's emerging growth corridor.
City: Charleston, South Carolina
Developer: Lennar
2025 Sales (YTD): 286
2Q 2025 Sales: 196
Consecutive PRISM Awards for Best Masterplan Community recognize this 6,000-acre Summerville development focused on traditional Southern neighborhood design. A working farm, community gardens, miles of trails, and amenity centers with pools and gathering spaces create authentic community connections. Twenty-five minutes from Charleston, homes from the $300,000s to $500,000s sit within acclaimed Dorchester District 2 schools, attracting families seeking genuine Lowcountry living.
City: Phoenix, Arizona
Developer: Lennar
2025 Sales (YTD): 349
2Q 2025 Sales: 173
Active adults find resort-style living in Surprise, Arizona, with a 14,000-square-foot clubhouse, 12 lighted pickleball courts, and championship golf access. The gated 55+ community features homes from the $300,000s to $500,000s with energy-efficient designs and includes smart home technology. The Northwest Valley location provides convenient access to spring training facilities, regional shopping, and healthcare while maintaining a peaceful desert setting.
City: Dallas, Texas
Developer: Oxland Group
2025 Sales (YTD): 298
2Q 2025 Sales: 172
National Parks inspire the design of this McKinney community, featuring 25 miles of looped trails and 200 acres of preserved open space across 1,100 acres. Street names and neighborhoods honor America's natural treasures, while amenities include pools, parks, and event spaces. Located along Highway 380 with easy access to Dallas employment centers and McKinney's historic downtown, homes range from the $400,000s to $800,000s.
City: Las Vegas, Nevada
Developer: Northland
2025 Sales (YTD): 307
2Q 2025 Sales: 162
This development in Las Vegas' northwest valley features attainable housing with parks, trails, and community gathering spaces designed for modern family living. Homes from the $300,000s to $500,000s include energy-efficient features with proximity to employment, shopping, and entertainment. The location near the 215 Beltway provides convenient access to Summerlin, downtown Las Vegas, and outdoor recreation at Red Rock Canyon.
City: Orlando, Florida
Developer: Lennar
2025 Sales (YTD): 253
2Q 2025 Sales: 162
Clermont's innovative 8,000-acre development integrates health and wellness industries with residential neighborhoods, creating a new model for master-planned communities. Plans include 8.8 million square feet of non-residential space focused on life sciences, sports medicine, and research facilities alongside homes from the $300,000s to $600,000s. Highway 27 location between Orlando and Tampa offers residents unique access to wellness resources, trails, parks, and future employment opportunities in health-related fields.