Quick facts
| Taft | vs Orange County | vs Florida | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,730 (Census survey) | ||
| Median home value | $163,000 | 58% lower | 55% lower |
| Median gross rent | $1,512 | 15% lower | 9% lower |
| Median household income | $55,735 | 30% lower | 25% lower |
| Owner occupied homes | 59.4% | +2.6 pts | -8.2 pts |
Census survey figures are 2020 to 2024 averages; methods.
Living in Taft
Taft is an unincorporated community in Orange County. Orlando International Airport lies on its east side.
There is no city hall here: Taft is a Census designated place, and Orange County sets the rules.
Known for: Orlando International Airport on its east side; Named after William Howard Taft
How it has grown: Incorporated as a town in 1912 and became unincorporated on August 1, 1933. The 2020 Census counted 2,221 residents. Source: Wikipedia, Taft, Florida, accessed October 29, 2026.
Against the Orange County averages, the median value of $163,000 is below the county's $390,100; household incomes are lower ($55,735 vs $79,719); Census median rent runs lower ($1,512 vs $1,775 countywide) and more homes are owner occupied (59.4% vs 56.8%).
Closest matches on price and rent: University (Hillsborough County) ($164,900, $1,295), North Fort Myers ($161,800, $1,255), Eatonville ($204,200, $1,289).
Growth and housing
Yearly population estimates are not published for Census designated places; the county trend is the best guide. Orange County grew 6.9% from 2020 to 2025.
The housing mix is 0% detached houses and 0% larger buildings.
Risks to price in
| Risk item | Detail |
|---|---|
| County average homeowners insurance with wind | $3,610 a year |
Buying a home in Taft
| 2026 loan limits (county) | Amount |
|---|---|
| FHA, one unit | $541,287 |
| Conforming, one unit | $832,750 |
| Median home value here | $163,000 |
Price to income: 2.9x, compared with 4.9x for the county.
- Conventional: the default for buyers with solid credit and 5% or more down.
- FHA: works for the typical $163,000 home here.
Investing in Taft
Long term rentals
| Taft | vs Orange County | |
|---|---|---|
| Renter occupied homes | 40.6% | -2.6 pts |
Short term rentals
Vacation home share is below the county (0% vs 2.4%), so nightly demand here is thinner.
| Short term rental taxes | Rate |
|---|---|
| County tourist development tax | 6% |
| State sales tax | 6% plus any county surtax |
Get the zoning and HOA answer in writing before you count on nightly income. State rules
Property types
| Housing stock | Share |
|---|---|
| Single family detached | 0% |
| Buildings with 5+ units | 0% |
| Manufactured homes | 0% |
Nearby
Other Florida markets
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020 to 2024 5 year estimates. 2020 to 2024.
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates, Vintage 2025. July 1, 2025.
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025 annual. 2025.
- FFIEC HMDA Data Browser, originated loans. 2025 and 2024.
- LendingTree: 2026 FHA loan limits in Florida by county (HUD figures). 2026.
- Florida Realtors: FHFA sets 2026 conforming loan limits. 2026.
- Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research: 2026 local option tourist tax rates. 2026.
- Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, July 2026 Insurance Stability Unit report (average homeowners premium with wind, as of March 31, 2026). March 31, 2026.
- Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. week of October 22, 2026.
- Wikipedia: List of counties in Florida. checked October 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau county adjacency file. 2024.
- Wikipedia county article and statewide lists (colleges, teams, airports); Florida Defense Support Task Force installation map. checked October 2026.
- Hurricane landfalls: Wikipedia, List of Florida hurricanes (2000 to present). checked October 2026.
Estimates from public data; they change over time. General information, not investment, tax or legal advice, and not a loan offer. Methods and assumptions.