At a glance
| County | Lake County |
|---|---|
| Population | 13,843 (2020 census) |
| Incorporated | 1925 to 1926 |
| ZIP | 34715 (shared with Clermont) |
| Hospital | AdventHealth Minneola |
| Lake | Lake Minneola |
Minneola at a glance
Minneola was founded in 1884 and incorporated in 1925 to 1926. Its name comes from a Dakota phrase meaning much water, and it gave its name to the Minneola tangelo. The city uses a council-manager government. AdventHealth Minneola provides hospital services, and the Lake County Sheriff's Office runs a Minneola district.
The city covers about 11.47 square miles, almost all of it land. It was settled as part of Sumter County and became part of Lake County when that county was created in 1887. The lake the city sits on was once called Cow House Lake before it was renamed Lake Minneola.
Is Minneola a good place to live?
For many buyers it is a practical alternative to Clermont: newer subdivisions, hillside lots with views, a new hospital and quick access to Florida's Turnpike at Hancock Road. The trade-offs are the same as the rest of south Lake County: growth, construction and commuting.
Who it tends to suit
Buyers who want a newer home, including those looking at a 55+ community, and who can live with Clermont or Orlando as the place for bigger shopping and most jobs.
What to weigh
No separate Zillow city figure, so pricing takes more work; a shared ZIP that hides which city a home is in; and hillside lots that need drainage checks.
Homes and prices
Our Zillow data does not include a Minneola city figure. For context, Zillow's typical value for Clermont was $428,604 in August 2026, down 2.3% on the year. Builder starting prices in Minneola sit in a similar range. Price any home from recent closed sales in its subdivision, and include CDD and HOA costs in the comparison.
| Benchmark (Clermont typical value) | Down payment | Principal and interest at 7.03% |
|---|---|---|
| $428,604 | 10% | About $2,574 a month |
| $428,604 | 20% | About $2,288 a month |
Payments exclude property tax, insurance, HOA and any CDD, and use Freddie Mac's 30-year average for the week of 24 September 2026.
Communities and new homes
Del Webb Minneola (55+)
Del Webb Minneola, at 1411 Sunset Crest Way, is a gated 55+ community with 15 home designs and published prices from $373,990 in September 2026. 55places describes a two-story clubhouse, fitness center, on-site tavern and zero-entry pool, and lists HOA dues of roughly $206 to $434 a month on current listings. Del Webb says the community looks out from some of the highest hills in Florida.
Sugarloaf Ridge (Lennar)
Lennar listed Sugarloaf Ridge in Minneola in September 2026, including a move-in-ready four-bedroom home at $519,740. It shares its name with Sugarloaf Mountain, Lake County's high point, which at 312 feet is the highest point in peninsular Florida. Ask about lot grading and which lots have long views.
Homes near Lake Minneola
If you look at older homes near the lake or in the original town, check the flood zone, whether any lake access is deeded or only a view, and the age of the roof, HVAC and water heater. Older homes outside newer subdivisions may carry no CDD, which lowers yearly costs, but the tax bill is the only way to be sure. Ask for permits for enclosed porches, additions and replaced windows.
Homes with Clermont addresses
Because ZIP 34715 is shared, some subdivisions marketed as Clermont are inside Minneola and some Minneola-looking addresses are in Clermont or unincorporated Lake County. The parcel record settles it.
See our Clermont 55+ guide and Clermont new construction guide.
Living in Minneola
Healthcare
AdventHealth Minneola is the city's hospital, and Orlando Health South Lake Hospital in Clermont is the regional hospital for south Lake County.
Schools
Lake County Schools runs public education in Minneola. Minneola Horizon Academy, a K-8 school focused on aviation and STEAM, opened in July 2025. Confirm zoning for the exact address with Lake County Schools.
The lake
Clermont's Waterfront Park is on the same lake, with picnic areas, a swimming area, fishing piers and paddle board, kayak and bike rentals, according to Wikipedia's Clermont entry. A fitness trail that is part of a 40-mile system runs through it.
Hills and lots
Parts of Minneola sit on high ground with long views, which can add value but also bring steep driveways, retaining walls and drainage questions. Ask for the lot grading plan on new homes and look for erosion or pooling on resale lots.
ZIP 34715 and city limits
The Minneola post office at 131 W Washington Street uses ZIP 34715, which is also assigned to Clermont. A 34715 address can be inside Minneola, inside Clermont or in unincorporated Lake County. Check the Lake County Property Appraiser record to see which millage applies. See our Clermont ZIP code guide.
Costs and taxes
Homes inside Minneola pay the city's millage on top of Lake County and school rates, while unincorporated homes pay county rates. Newer subdivisions add HOA dues and may sit in a CDD, which appears on the tax bill. Apply for the Florida homestead exemption by 1 March if the home is your permanent residence on 1 January; it can cut taxable value by up to $50,000. Lake County's sales tax is 7%, including a 1% county surtax. See our Lake County property tax guide.
Getting to Clermont and Orlando
Minneola and Clermont both sit on Lake Minneola, and Clermont's Waterfront Park is on the same lake, so Clermont's shops and services are close by. We do not publish drive times because they change with traffic and road work. Test your commute at rush hour before you buy.
Florida's Turnpike has a Lake County interchange at Hancock Road (Exit 278), one route toward Orlando. Compare it with State Road 50 at the hours you would drive. LakeXpress buses run along State Road 50 and US 27 in Clermont.
Pros and cons of living in Minneola
Pro: newer homes and a 55+ choice
Del Webb Minneola and Lennar's Sugarloaf Ridge were both selling new homes in September 2026.
Pro: Turnpike and hospital access
The Hancock Road interchange and AdventHealth Minneola put two everyday needs close by.
Con: a shared ZIP and no city price index
You have to check jurisdiction and build your own price comparison from closed sales.
Con: hillside lot costs
Views can come with drainage work, retaining walls and limits on pools or fences.
What to check before you buy
- City limits and millage on the Lake County Property Appraiser site.
- CDD and HOA amounts for the lot, in writing.
- Age, guest and rental rules if you are buying in a 55+ community.
- Lot grading and drainage on hillside lots.
- FEMA flood zone and insurance quotes.
See our Lake County property tax guide and Clermont new construction guide.
Common questions
Is Minneola part of Clermont?+
No. Minneola is a separate city in Lake County with its own council-manager government. It shares ZIP code 34715 with Clermont, so some Minneola homes have Clermont mailing addresses. Check the Lake County Property Appraiser record to see which city a home is in.
What is the population of Minneola, FL?+
Minneola had 13,843 residents at the 2020 census. Estimates since then show fast growth as new subdivisions have opened. The city sits on Lake Minneola, just north of Clermont, in Lake County and the Orlando metro area. Check current city estimates if you need a more recent figure.
Are there 55+ communities in Minneola?+
Yes. Del Webb Minneola, at 1411 Sunset Crest Way, is a gated 55+ community with published prices from $373,990 in September 2026. 55places lists HOA dues of roughly $203 to $434 a month on current listings. Confirm age rules, dues and any CDD with the builder.
What ZIP code is Minneola, FL?+
Minneola uses ZIP code 34715, which it shares with Clermont. The Minneola post office is at 131 W Washington Street. Because the ZIP is shared, a 34715 address does not by itself show whether a home is in Minneola, Clermont or unincorporated Lake County.
Is Minneola, FL a good place to live?+
It suits buyers who want newer homes near Clermont with quick Turnpike access. Minneola had 13,843 residents in 2020, has its own hospital, AdventHealth Minneola, and new communities including Del Webb Minneola for buyers 55 and over. Weigh growth, commuting and hillside lot costs, and price homes from recent closed sales.
What is Minneola known for?+
Minneola gave its name to the Minneola tangelo, and its name comes from a Dakota phrase meaning much water. The city sits on Lake Minneola, north of Clermont, and has grown quickly with new subdivisions and a new hospital, AdventHealth Minneola.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Minneola, Florida
- Wikipedia: Clermont, Florida
- Wikipedia: Lake County, Florida
- Postcodebase: ZIP code 34715, Clermont and Minneola
- Del Webb: 55+ communities in Minneola
- 55places: Del Webb Minneola
- Lennar: New homes in the Orlando area
- Zillow Research: Home value and market data (ZHVI), August 2026
- Florida Department of Revenue: Discretionary sales surtax rates (DR-15DSS)
- Freddie Mac: Primary Mortgage Market Survey
- Lake County Property Appraiser: Exemptions and homestead filing
- Florida Department of Revenue: Property tax exemptions for homeowners
Florida home prices, once a month.
What changed in Florida home values and mortgage rates, from our housing tracker, plus new guides. Free, one email a month, unsubscribe any time.
Antonio Roberts
Antonio Roberts has spent five years helping more than 500 Florida buyers and sellers choose the right real estate agent. He is not a real estate agent himself: he researches what matters in a Florida move and connects people with licensed local agents, free of charge.
Reviewed by a licensed Florida real estate agent. Before publication, this guide was checked for accuracy by a licensed Florida real estate agent on our team. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
More about Antonio and how the service works →