At a glance
| Location | Unincorporated Orange County, southwest of Orlando |
|---|---|
| Status | Census-designated place, not a city |
| Population | 12,328 (2020 census), up from 10,981 in 2010 |
| Area | 4.72 square miles, of which 1.31 is water |
| Subdivisions | Includes Orange Tree, Sand Lake Hills, Clubhouse Estates and the Turkey Lake Park area |
| HOA / CDD | No single master association found; HOAs vary by subdivision |
What Dr. Phillips is, and where it starts and stops
Dr. Phillips is a census-designated place in Orange County, not an incorporated city. It covers 4.72 square miles, of which 1.31 square miles is water, and its population grew from 10,981 in 2010 to 12,328 in 2020.
The area takes its name from Philip Phillips, a citrus grower whose land holdings in the 1920s took in what is now Bay Hill, Orange Tree, Sand Lake Hills, Clubhouse Estates and Turkey Lake Park. People still use the Dr. Phillips name loosely for that whole stretch, but the Census Bureau treats Bay Hill as its own census-designated place. If a listing says Dr. Phillips, check which subdivision the home is actually in.
How prices compare with the rest of Orlando
Zillow doesn't publish a neighborhood value for Dr. Phillips, so there is no single typical price to quote. For context, Zillow's typical home value for the City of Orlando was $371,120 in August 2026, down 1.4% over the year.
Values here swing widely by subdivision, lot size and whether a home is on a lake or golf course. Ask a local agent for recent sales in the specific subdivision, and read the Orlando housing market page for the wider trend.
Bay Hill, the lakes and the golf course
Bay Hill Club and Lodge sits between the Bay Hill community and the Butler Chain of Lakes on about 270 acres. Arnold Palmer bought it in 1974, and it has hosted the Arnold Palmer Invitational on the PGA Tour each March since 1979.
Lakefront and golf-frontage homes carry extra checks: flood zone, seawall or shoreline condition, and any HOA or club rules on docks, fences and views. The Florida home inspection checklist covers what to ask an inspector.
Schools: confirm zoning by address
Orange County Public Schools serves the area. Dr. Phillips High School, at 6500 Turkey Lake Road, is an OCPS magnet for visual and performing arts and international studies. Being near the school does not mean a home is zoned for it, and magnet seats are applied for separately.
Use the OCPS school locator with the exact address before you rely on any school name in a listing. The Orlando schools guide explains how zoning and choice programs work.
What to check before buying in Dr. Phillips
- Jurisdiction: most of the area is unincorporated, so county rather than city rules apply. Confirm on the tax bill, since some nearby addresses with an Orlando mailing address sit in different taxing districts.
- HOA: ask for the HOA budget, current dues, any special assessments and the rules on rentals, parking and exterior changes.
- Property tax: the assessed value resets after a sale, so estimate from your price, not the seller's bill. See Orange County property tax.
- Flood zone: look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, especially near lakes, and get an insurance quote early.
- Age of the home: ask about roof, HVAC and plumbing ages, which affect insurance.
Nearby areas to compare
Other southwest Orange County options include MetroWest and Hunters Creek, and Winter Garden is a separate city to compare. The Orlando neighborhoods hub lists more options.
Common questions
Is Dr. Phillips part of the City of Orlando?+
No. Dr. Phillips is an unincorporated census-designated place in Orange County, so it has no city government of its own and most addresses fall under county services and rules. Homes there often carry an Orlando mailing address, which causes confusion. Check the property's tax bill or the Orange County Property Appraiser record to confirm which taxing district a specific parcel is in.
How many people live in Dr. Phillips?+
The 2020 census counted 12,328 residents in the Dr. Phillips census-designated place, up from 10,981 in 2010 and 9,548 in 2000. The census area covers 4.72 square miles, including 1.31 square miles of water. Bay Hill, often grouped with Dr. Phillips, is counted as a separate census-designated place.
Does Dr. Phillips have HOA fees?+
Many homes do, but there is no single master association for the whole area. Dr. Phillips is made up of separate subdivisions, each with its own HOA rules and dues. Ask the seller or listing agent for the HOA budget, current dues, reserve balance and any pending special assessments before you commit.
Which high school serves Dr. Phillips?+
Dr. Phillips High School at 6500 Turkey Lake Road is an Orange County Public Schools magnet for visual and performing arts and international studies. Zoning depends on the exact address, and magnet programs have their own application process. Check the OCPS school locator for any home you are considering rather than relying on the school name in a listing.