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 |
Dr. Phillips at a glance
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.
Is Dr. Phillips a good area to live in?
Dr. Phillips suits buyers who want established subdivisions, lakes and golf in southwest Orange County, close to the tourist corridor, with county rather than city millage. It is a weaker fit if you want one master-planned community with uniform rules, a walkable town center or a single published price benchmark.
Because it is a patchwork of subdivisions, the answer depends on the street. Compare HOA documents, lake or golf frontage and school zoning home by home.
What Dr. Phillips is known for
Bay Hill and the Arnold Palmer Invitational
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.
The Butler Chain of Lakes
Lakefront homes on the chain are among the area's most sought after, and they carry extra checks on flood zone, seawalls and docks.
Dr. Phillips High School
Dr. Phillips High School, at 6500 Turkey Lake Road, is an OCPS magnet for visual and performing arts and international studies.
Homes and prices in Dr. Phillips
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. Ask a local agent for recent sales in the specific subdivision, and read the Orlando housing market page for the wider trend.
Subdivision single-family homes
Named subdivisions such as Orange Tree, Sand Lake Hills and Clubhouse Estates each have their own rules and dues. Ask for the HOA budget, current dues, any special assessments and the rules on rentals, parking and exterior changes.
Lakefront and golf-frontage homes
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.
Condos and townhomes in gated communities
Vizcaya, a 24-hour guard-gated community with an Orlando 32836 address, has a master association covering 419 properties: 172 high-rise condos, 163 single-family homes and 84 townhomes. See our Orlando gated communities guide.
Living in Dr. Phillips
Shops and dining
Shopping and restaurants are along the main roads rather than in a single town center. Check what is within a short drive of the specific subdivision.
Parks and lakes
Turkey Lake Park and the Butler Chain of Lakes are the main outdoor draws. Lake access rights differ by subdivision, so confirm what comes with a home.
Schools
Dr. Phillips Elementary and Sand Lake Elementary earned an A and Dr. Phillips High a B in the state's 2025-26 grades. Being near a school does not mean a home is zoned for it, and magnet seats are applied for separately. Use the OCPS locator with the exact address, and see the Orlando schools guide.
Getting around
This is a driving area close to I-4 and the tourist corridor. SunRail's Sand Lake Road station is the nearest rail stop on the line; check the timetable against your hours.
Costs of owning in Dr. Phillips
HOA dues
There is no single master association for the whole area, so dues and rules vary by subdivision. Get every association's figures in writing, plus an estoppel certificate before closing.
Property tax
Most of the area is unincorporated, so there is no city millage. Unincorporated Orange County parcels paid about 16.09 to 16.14 mills in 2025. The assessed value resets after a sale, so estimate from your price, not the seller's bill. See Orange County property tax.
Flood and insurance
Look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, especially near lakes, and get an insurance quote early. Roof, HVAC and plumbing ages affect the premium.
Pros and cons of Dr. Phillips
Pro: lakes and golf
The Butler Chain of Lakes and Bay Hill give the area its best-known settings.
Pro: county millage
Unincorporated parcels avoid the City of Orlando's own millage.
Pro: choice of subdivisions
Condos, townhomes, subdivision houses and lakefront estates all sit under the same name.
Con: no single benchmark
Without a Zillow neighborhood figure, you need subdivision-level sales to judge value.
Con: rules vary street to street
Each HOA sets its own dues and restrictions.
Con: tourist-corridor traffic
Proximity to the attractions brings traffic on the main roads.
Other southwest options include MetroWest and Hunters Creek, and Winter Garden is a separate city to compare.
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.
What is Bay Hill in Dr. Phillips?+
Bay Hill is a community next to Dr. Phillips, which the Census Bureau counts as its own census-designated place. Bay Hill Club and Lodge sits between the community and the Butler Chain of Lakes on about 270 acres. Arnold Palmer bought it in 1974, and it has hosted the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational each March since 1979.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Dr. Phillips, Florida
- Wikipedia: Bay Hill, Florida
- Wikipedia: Bay Hill Club and Lodge
- Wikipedia: Dr. Phillips High School
- Orange County Property Appraiser: 2025 Final Millage Rates
- FEMA: Flood Map Service Center
- Orange County Public Schools: Find My School
- SunRail: Stations
- Florida Department of Education: School Grades 2026 (Excel)
- Vizcaya Master Homeowners Association: Home
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 →