California may have been one of the leading pioneers of master-planned communities, with Irvine to Valencia, but Florida and Texas are the modern-day masters.
California had five master-planned communities finish among the best-selling developments in 2024, but the Lone Star and Sunshine states are shining bright.
The state’s five top 50 master-planned communities – from Folsom to Orange County – had a combined 2,748 home sales during the past year, a 13% drop from the 3,155 homes in 2023, according to industry-tracker John Burns Research & Consulting. California had more than 5,000 home sales in master-planned communities in 2019.
RIVERSTONE IN MADERA LEADS THE WAY
In comparison, the best-selling master-planned community in the nation – The Villages in Florida – had 3,200 homes sold, outpacing the combined figures from the five in California. Texas had 19 master-planned communities land on the top 50 list, followed by Florida with 14.
Riverstone in Madera (just north of Fresno) with 645 home sales in 2024, a 22% increase from a year earlier, was the top-selling master-planned community in California – and the 13th-best in the U.S.
Ontario Ranch, the second-best in the state and No. 24 nationwide, reported 546 home sales in 2024, a 47% drop from a year earlier. Ontario Ranch, located in the Inland Empire, has been among the best-selling master-planned communities in the nation for the past several years.
Folsom Ranch – one of the newer communities, about 25 miles east of Sacramento – finished in third place (No. 32 in U.S.) with 540 homes sold, a 52% increase.
Great Park in Irvine. Courtesy of the City of Irvine
Rancho Mission Viejo and Great Park, both in Orange County, had double-digit declines in sales, but finished in fourth- and fifth place in California (see table below for more details).
Former master-planned leaders and pioneers Irvine Ranch and Valencia missed the top 50 list.
A FOCUS ON QUALITY OF LIFE
Master-planned communities offer high-quality amenities, good schools, security, multiple price points, and focused on the quality of life, such as parks and shopping centers.
“Master-planned communities are increasingly prioritizing health, wellness and sustainability, integrating features like extensive trail systems, community farms and resilient designs to enhance residents’ quality of life,” says Ken Perlman, managing principal of John Burns Research & Consulting.
Nationwide, master-planned communities sold about 35,000 homes n 2024, a 1% drop from a year earlier.
Feature photo: Model homes in Folsom Ranch.
| Community | 2024 sales | 2023 sales | % gain/decline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverstone-Madera | 745 | 613 | +22% |
| Ontario Ranch-Inland Empire | 546 | 1,027 | -47% |
| Folsom Ranch-Folsom | 540 | 355 | +52% |
| Rancho Mission Viejo | 476 | 532 | -11% |
| Great Park-Irvine | 441 | 628 | -30% |
Source: John Burns Research & Consulting
