The Villages is a census-designated place spanning Sumter, Marion, and Lake counties in central Florida, United States. It serves as the central area of a larger master-planned, age-restricted community known by the same name. Situated approximately 20 miles south of Ocala and 45 miles northwest of Orlando, the CDP covers 33.95 square miles of land and water. It functions as part of the Orlando–Kissimmee–Sanford metropolitan statistical area, acting as a hub for a vast retirement destination.

Development began in the 1960s when Michigan businessman Harold Schwartz sold land via mail order until federal laws halted the practice in 1968. Schwartz and partner Al Tarrson later developed Orange Blossom Gardens, a mobile home park, before Schwartz bought out Tarrson in 1983 and brought in his son, H. Gary Morse. Inspired by Sun City, Morse expanded amenities and renamed the community The Villages in 1992. Between 2010 and 2019, it became the top-selling master-planned community in the United States.

The community features five town centers including Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Landing, designed with faux historical markers to evoke an idyllic small-town atmosphere. Residents live in over 50 named villages, each with neighborhood recreation centers offering pools and courts. The area maintains an extensive network of private roads totaling about 750 miles. Notable sites include the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center and the Villages Polo Stadium, supporting a lifestyle centered on recreation and social engagement.

The Villages attracts retirees through its combination of recreation facilities, entertainment venues, and over 3,500 resident-led clubs. The developer markets it as Florida's Friendliest Hometown, offering free nightly entertainment and modern amenities in town squares. While visitors can access restaurants and businesses, most recreation facilities are reserved for residents and their guests. The community fosters engagement through sports, arts, and lifelong learning colleges, creating a distinct social environment for its age-restricted population.

The census-designated place had a population of 79,077 as of the 2020 United States census. Its economy centers on retail, healthcare, and services, with gross domestic product reaching $2.1 billion by 2017. Access is provided via Florida State Road 44 and U.S. Highways 27 and 301, along with an Amtrak bus stop. The area is characterized by sunny inland Florida weather, appealing to those seeking an active retirement community with low crime rates and high home ownership among its demographic.