Winter Park is a wonderfully charming and picturesque city in Florida. Situated at the wetlands of the state’s peninsula, this lively yet overall safe city encompasses several fine lakes, including Lake Osceola and Lake Virginia. Winter Park FL further boasts great schools, elegant homes, lovely parks, and endless restaurant and entertainment opportunities for all ages. The land which is now Winter Park FL was first settled into by migrant Muscogee people. Fast forward to 1858, Winter Park was founded as “Lakeview” and was later chartered as a winter resort community in 1887. Winter Park continues to preserve its historical ambiance and small-town charm which leaves no secret as to why the city has been visited by several U.S. presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Chester A. Arthur, and Barack Obama.
The historical city of Winter Park Florida is best known for its world-class museums, first-class shopping and dining, and Park Avenue – the city’s classy downtown area that’s home to vibrant street scenes, Old World charm, darling boutiques, and notable hotels. Whether you’re looking for an eclectic, artsy, or upscale atmosphere, Winter Park has it all. From the peaceful neighborhoods to the city’s colleges like the renowned Rollins College, moving to Winter Park is ideal for families, singles, retired folk, and students alike.
Where is Winter Park?
Located in Orange County, the city of Winter Park is a suburb of Orlando and is situated in the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area. Winter Park is nestled in central Florida and situated in a region dotted by beautiful lakes. The distance from Winter Park to downtown Orlando is roughly 5 miles southwest.
A few of Winter Park’s nearby communities include Baldwin Park to the south and Aloma to the east. Regarding public transportation, there is an Amtrak and SunRail commuter rail station in Winter Park’s downtown. You can also take the bus to or from Winter Park via Lynx. While much of the Winter Park’s attractions are within no more than a 10-minute drive, you’ll have close access to Interstate 4 and Orlando Avenue when stepping outside city boundaries.
Winter Park FL Population & Demographics
The upscale city of Winter Park Florida has a population of 29,795 distributed over 10 miles at a population density of 3,207 per square mile. In the last decade, the population has increased by nearly 7%. The median age in Winter Park is 45.3, whereas 11.4% of residents are foreign-born. 96.8% of the Winter Park population has earned a high school diploma or higher, and 62.5% have attained a bachelor’s degree or higher. The Winter Park median household income is $88,688, which is $26,911 above the state median.
Winter Park has been called home by several notable people, such as baseball player Logan Gilbert and congressperson Stephanie Murphy.
The racial demographics in Winter Park are somewhat diverse, with Whites making up 73.6% of the population. Hispanics make up 12.7%, Asians at 5.5%, and Blacks at 5.5%. The gender makeup in Winter Park is 52.7% female and 47.3% male.
How safe is Winter Park, FL? According to the FBI, the Winter Park crime rate is 2,476 per 100k population. This is 15% higher than the state and 5.5% higher than the country. However, most of this is property crime which is 24.2% higher than state. In fact, the violent crime in Winter Park is 27.3% lower than the state average, making Winter Park a very safe place to live!
The city is served by the Winter Park Police Department with its 74 sworn officers.
Cost of Living in Winter Park, FL
Is Winter Park a wealthy area? The cost of living index for Winter Park Florida is 113, or around 13% higher than the national average. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Orange County should make $84,950 a year to live comfortably. While Winter Park and the rest of Florida can enjoy zero income tax, the sales tax in Winter Park FL is 6.5%. Curious about the Winter Park Florida real estate? There are many beautiful Winter Park FL homes for sale. According to Redfin, Winter Park has a median home price of $629,600. Based on data from Rentcafe, the average monthly rent in Winter Park is $1,716 for an 886-square-foot apartment. While 52% of apartments in Winter Park FL are priced between $1,501 and $2,000, you’ll find 29% are priced lower, and 19% are priced higher.
Winter Park Typical Living Expenses
Here’s a list of Payscale’s typical expenses in Winter Park, Florida:
- Average Winter Park utilities per month: $110
- Doctor’s visit: $114.54
- Gallon of gas: $3.42
- Gallon of milk: $2.50
- One dozen eggs: $2.32
Winter Park Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Winter Park
In addition to the arts and culture-packed areas, Winter Park in Florida is home to several family-friendly neighborhoods – many of which boast charming oak-lined streets and quiet ambiance. Winter Park offers everything from high-end contemporary housing to cheap rental apartments. Let’s take a look at two of the best neighborhoods in Winter Park.
Windsong | Upscale Community in Winter Park with Roaming Peacocks
If you’re looking for an exceedingly upscale and peaceful neighborhood in Winter Park Florida, Windsong is an excellent option. This luxurious Winter Park neighborhood is situated in the heart of the city and is surrounded by three breathtaking lakes. Hunting for golf in Winter Park? Join the nearby Interlachen Country Club! Windsong is known for the freely roaming peacocks that wander the streets and make friendly visits to the area’s residents. The median home price in Windsong, Winter Park comes in at a staggering $2,132,500.
AVAILABLE ~ WINDSONG – WINTER PARK ~ $2,450,000 pic.twitter.com/RhhJyE45v0
— Night-Pinel RE Team (@NightPinelRE) June 14, 2017
Winter Park Woods | Affordable & Family Friendly Neighborhood in Winter Park, Florida
The Winter Park Woods Condominiums is a neighborhood in Winter Park FL, that features very cozy and affordable housing. You’ll find an array of varying sizes, low prices, and gorgeous styles to choose from. The median house price in Winter Park Woods Condominiums is $130,750.
Winter Park Weather & Climate
How’s the weather in Winter Park Florida? With a humid subtropical climate, Winter Park experiences short, cool winters with lows of 49°F, and long, hot summers with highs of 92°F. This weather is perfect for enjoying a day out on the city’s several sandy beaches. You’ll want a raincoat during Winter Park’s 52 inches of annual rainfall and sunglasses throughout the 238 sunny days. The best months to visit Winter Park are in March, April, and November.
It may feel biased, but we'd have to agree with @TravelLeisure, Winter Park is pretty charming. 😍https://t.co/ALVj0bwCJm
— City of Winter Park (@WinterParkFla) March 24, 2023
Things to Do in Winter Park
Winter Park offers green spaces, quaint shops, public swimming pools, and top-rated parks– you name it! Some of the most popular attractions for residents and visitors include the Winter Park Scenic Boat Tour and The Alfond Inn – previously the Langford Hotel, which serves as one of the best hotels in Winter Park FL. A few of the best Winter Park shopping centers include Winter Park Village and Aloma Shopping Center.
Orlando Neighborhood Guide: Living in Winter Park, FL https://t.co/7ULmy8n53H pic.twitter.com/INLDImAZ46
— Luke Properties (@luke_properties) November 8, 2022
Park Avenue
As the town jewel, Park Avenue is a must-go for residents and visitors alike. The area’s cobblestoned streets lead you to boutiques, restaurants, museums, a historic cemetery, art galleries, a beach and boat launch, and the acclaimed Central Park. Whether you want to window shop in Downtown Winter Park, visit a bar, or take a peaceful walk under the old southern oak canopy, Park Avenue is the place to go.
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110 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 599-3399
Mead Botanical Garden
Looking for a place to enjoy the scenery? This botanical garden features charming flowers, pavilions, and fascinating wildlife habitats.
1300 S Denning Dr, Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 622-6323
Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
This historic and family-friendly museum features many special exhibits including a collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany.
445 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 645-5311
Additional Attractions in Winter Park
- Kraft Azalea Gardens
- Ward Park
- Martin Luther King Jr Park
- Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens
- Rollins Museum of Art
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The parks and recreational facilities in Winter Park are served by the Winter Park Parks & Recreation department. You can also tune into Winter Park FL news and Winter Park events. In fact, the city’s most popular events include the Bach Festival and the nationally-ranked Sidewalk Art Festival – one of the oldest outdoor art festivals in the U.S.
Winter Park Restaurants
Check out a few of the best restaurants from Winter Park’s versatile mix of food options:
Prato
Tasty Italian eatery with a rustic-chic vibe.
124 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 262-0050
Hillstone Restaurant
Upscale and stylish American restaurant serving burgers and steaks.
215 S Orlando Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 740-4005
The COOP
Southern-style chicken restaurant with classic Southern chicken dishes.
610 W Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789, (407) 843-2667
Jobs in Winter Park
Winter Park is projected to experience a 47.7% increase in job growth over the next decade which is 14.2% higher than the U.S. average. The average base salary in Winter Park is $62,000 while the average hourly rate is $18.24. A few of the most popular job positions in Winter Park include registered nurses and administrative assistants whereas the most popular employers include AventHealth and The Mayflower. If you’re interested in Winter Park jobs, try searching online for jobs in and around Winter Park Florida. You can check out Winter Park job opportunities here.
Winter Park Schools
Winter Park is served by Orange County Public Schools district and has over 8,000 students, 8 public schools, and a student-teacher ratio of 19:1. This district includes Winter Park High School and Lakemont Elementary School. Winter Park is home to four colleges– most notable is Rollins College – a historical and private liberal arts college on Park Avenue with a beautiful campus and picturesque location.
If you need to study or read a book, the city’s Winter Park Library is open six days a week.
Winter Park Statistics & Information
- County: Orange County
- Winter Park area: 10.38 mi²
- Winter Park zip codes: 32789, 32790, 32792
- Winter Park area code: 407
- Winter Park Elevation: 92’
- Winter Park Time zone: Eastern Time Zone (EST)
- Closest Airport to Winter Park: Orlando International Airport (MCO) – 13 miles south of Winter Park
Winter Park FL Map
Ready to start planning your move to Winter Park, Florida? Allow our team of professional Winter Park movers to give you a smooth relocation! Give 2 College Brothers a call today at 813-922-1529!
