Lady Lake is a town in Lake County, Florida, in the central part of the state, and part of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford metropolitan statistical area. Its population was 15,970 at the 2020 census. The town was named for a nearby lake, grew as a railroad settlement around 1883, and was incorporated in 1925. Lady Lake is best known as the birthplace of The Villages, the large age-restricted community that began here and has since expanded across Sumter, Marion, and Lake counties to become one of the largest retirement communities in the country. The Villages' growth has transformed Lady Lake and the surrounding area, bringing new residential development, retail, medical services, and recreation. Within a ten-mile radius, the town estimates a population of more than 100,000 people. Residents describe a dense suburban feel, and most households own their homes. The town offers a number of parks, and area history is exhibited at the Lady Lake Historical Society Museum. The town also provides full-service local government, including water and sewer utilities, and has pursued economic development as the region grows. Public schools fall under the Lake County School District, an A-rated district serving more than 48,000 students, including Villages Elementary of Lady Lake, which opened in 1999. Lady Lake sits within easy reach of central Florida's attractions and employment centers, roughly an hour northwest of Orlando, with the I-75 corridor to the west providing access to the Tampa and Orlando regions. Its mix of established neighborhoods, newer retirement-oriented communities, and small-town governance gives it appeal for retirees and families alike.