Sarasota County’s Top Master-Planned Communities Rank Nationally

Two of Sarasota County’s most notable communities have earned prestigious national rankings on the Top 50 Master-Planned Communities of 2025 list released by John Burns Research & Consulting—a leading real estate research organization that tracks sales and trends across planned developments nationwide. According to the survey, almost 33,000 homebuyers purchased a new home in the top 50 master plans in 2025, and the main factors that influenced new home sales in master plans were lifestyle (or quality of life), affordability, inventory and incentives. 

Let's see where Sarasota County's own landed in the mix!

Lakewood Ranch Named #2

Waterside Place Park in Lakewood Ranch, photo by Taylor Riffle

Lakewood Ranch, the multi-generational community that stretches across Sarasota and Manatee counties, secured the No. 2 spot on the national list—placing it among the most desirable master-planned neighborhoods in the United States. Known for its expertly designed lifestyle amenities and thriving town centers, including the 36-acre lakefront destination of Waterside Place, Lakewood Ranch has long been a standout community for families, restauranteurs, young business owners and residents seeking a vibrant yet safe and relaxed place to call home.

Wellen Park Named #8

Downtown Wellen Park, photo courtesy of NorthPortFL.gov

Just down the coast in North Port, Wellen Park earned a No. 8 ranking, further underscoring Sarasota County’s regional appeal. With its expanding residential villages, the ever-growing social hub of Downtown Wellen and its proximity to CoolToday Park, the Spring Training home of the Atlanta Braves, Wellen Park has seen steady growth in recent years. The area continues to draw buyers, especially families, with its blend of beautifully planned neighborhoods, outdoor recreation, access to strong schools, mixed offerings appealing to multiple life stages and a community-driven lifestyle.

Downtown Wellen Park's Grand Lake and Amphitheatre

What These Rankings Mean

These rankings reflect sales data from communities that reported significant new-home sales in 2025. Lakewood Ranch logged more than 2,000 home sales last year—a figure that helped maintain its position near the top of the national list. Representing south Sarasota County, Wellen Park’s nearly 1,000 new homes sold contributed to the top-10 status.

Main Street in Lakewood Ranch, photo by Taylor Riffle

Master-planned communities are designed to go beyond traditional housing developments by integrating residential areas with substantial amenities such as parks, trails, schools, town centers with shopping and dining, plus free community programming. Both Lakewood Ranch and Wellen Park exemplify this trend, offering residents balanced lifestyles with access to natural spaces and recreation, as well as events, markets and social hubs which contribute to their overall sense of belonging.

For potential new residents, these accolades highlight Sarasota County not only as a destination for Gulf Coast beaches and culture, but also as a dynamic region where thoughtfully planned communities continue to grow and attract people from across the country.