Is South Apopka Safe, Pros and cons of living in South Apopka
South Apopka, Florida, offers a unique blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to urban amenities. This community, situated in Orange County, provides a distinct living experience for its residents. Understanding the various facets of life in South Apopka is crucial for anyone considering a move to this area.
The following article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of South Apopka, covering essential aspects such as safety, cost of living, employment opportunities, climate, education, and demographics. This detailed look will help prospective residents make an informed decision about whether South Apopka is the right fit for their lifestyle and needs.
Is it Safe to Live in South Apopka?
Violent Crime Overview
South Apopka presents a mixed safety profile. The violent crime rate in South Apopka is reported as 3.931 per 1,000 residents in a typical year (according to CrimeGrade.org). The overall crime grade for South Apopka is a C-, indicating a rate of violent crime slightly higher than the average US city (according to CrimeGrade.org).
More specifically, the chance of being a victim of violent crime in South Apopka can vary significantly by neighborhood. Residents often consider the southwest part of the city to be the safest area (according to CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident in South Apopka is approximately $215 per year (according to CrimeGrade.org).
Property and Other Crimes
While violent crime rates are a concern, property crime is also a factor to consider. Augurisk predicts approximately 391 property crimes annually in South Apopka (according to Augurisk). Vehicle thefts are also a concern, with an estimated 30 such incidents predicted per year (according to Augurisk).
The overall crime rate in South Apopka is reported to be 22% lower than the national average, with violent crimes being 28% lower than the national average (according to AreaVibes). Year over year, crime in South Apopka has decreased by 7% (according to AreaVibes).
Housing and Cost of Living
Housing Market Trends
The South Apopka housing market is described as somewhat competitive. In March 2026, the median sale price of a home in South Apopka was $305,000, marking an 8.4% decrease compared to the previous year (according to Redfin). Homes in South Apopka typically sell after 49 days on the market, which is longer than the 42 days it took last year (according to Redfin).
The median home value in South Apopka is approximately $280,500 (according to Livability.com). This value is lower than the national average of $332,700 (according to Livability.com). The homeownership rate in South Apopka is 62.2%, which is slightly lower than the national average of 65.2% (according to Data USA).
Rental Market and Affordability
For those considering renting, the average rent in South Apopka was $775 last month, showing a decrease of $43 month-over-month (according to Redfin). However, other sources indicate a different average rent. The median rent in South Apopka is $1,088 (according to Livability.com), and another source cites an average rent of $1,501 per month for a 753 sq ft apartment in South Apopka (according to Apartments.com).
The rent-to-income ratio in South Apopka is noted at 61.3%, indicating a significant portion of earnings goes towards housing expenses (according to Point2Homes). Approximately 49% of renters in South Apopka are considered “severely cost-burdened,” spending more than half their income on rent (according to Florida State Authority).
Overall Cost of Living
South Apopka is considered to have a lower cost of living compared to many other areas. It ranks as the 78th lowest cost of living among 382 suburbs in Florida (according to Niche). The median household income in South Apopka was $61,151 in 2024 (according to Data USA). However, the poverty rate stands at 28.07% (according to Data USA).
The median household income in South Apopka is below the Florida state median ($72,336) and the Orange County median ($79,719) (according to Florida State Authority). This income level, combined with the poverty rate, suggests that affordability can be a significant consideration for residents.
Job Market and Economy
Employment Statistics
The employment landscape in South Apopka has seen some fluctuations. From 2023 to 2024, employment in South Apopka declined by 2.24%, with the number of employees decreasing from 3.08k to 3.01k (according to Data USA). The unemployment rate in South Apopka is reported at 6.0%, which is above the U.S. average of approximately 4% (according to Florida State Authority).
The most common occupations for South Apopka residents include Sales & Related Occupations, Construction & Extraction Occupations, and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (according to Data USA). Key industries for employment in the area are Retail Trade, Construction, and Manufacturing (according to Data USA).
Major Employers and Economic Character
While specific major employers within South Apopka are not detailed in the provided data, the broader Apopka area lists companies such as Publix Super Markets, Walmart, and The Home Depot as significant employers (according to Lensa). The economic character of South Apopka is described as “mixed,” with a workforce that includes both white-collar and blue-collar professionals (according to Florida State Authority).
The top employing sector in the Apopka area is Education and Healthcare (according to Florida State Authority). The median household income in South Apopka is $61,151, placing it in a middle-class income tier (according to Florida State Authority).
Climate and Weather
Temperature and Seasons
South Apopka experiences a climate characterized by long, hot, and wet summers, and short, cool, and partly cloudy winters. Over the course of a year, temperatures typically range from 51°F to 90°F, rarely dropping below 37°F or exceeding 94°F (according to Time and Date). The hot season spans about 4.5 months, from mid-May to late September, with daily high temperatures often above 86°F.
The hottest month is July, with average highs around 90°F and lows of 75°F (according to Time and Date). The cool season lasts for approximately 2.7 months, from early December to late February, with daily high temperatures generally below 74°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows of 51°F and highs of 70°F (according to Time and Date).
Rainfall and Wet Days
Rainfall is a significant feature of South Apopka’s climate, occurring throughout the year. The wettest month is June, with an average rainfall of 5.6 inches (according to Data USA). The month with the least rain is November, averaging 1.8 inches (according to Data USA).
A wet day is defined as one with at least 0.04 inches of precipitation. The chance of wet days is high from late May to late September, with July having an average of 20.6 wet days (according to Time and Date). The drier season extends from late September to late May, with December having the fewest wet days, averaging 5.2 (according to Time and Date).
Education and Schools
Public School Performance
The public schools serving South Apopka are part of the Orange County Public School District. Niche provides ratings for schools, with Orlando Science Elementary Charter School receiving a rating of 4.79 out of 5 based on 57 reviews (according to Niche). Apopka High School has a rating of 3.82 out of 5 from 877 reviews (according to Niche).
Overall, the public schools in South Apopka are described as above average (according to Niche). However, when looking at Apopka as a whole, schools have an average ranking of 4/10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Florida public schools (according to the provided data). Math proficiency in Apopka schools is 48%, and reading proficiency is 44%, both below the Florida state average (according to the provided data).
School District Information
Orange County Public Schools serves a large student population, with approximately 205,853 students across 260 schools (according to Niche). The district receives an overall Niche Grade of B+ (according to Niche). Ranking factors for school districts include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, and teacher quality (according to Niche).
While specific ratings for South Apopka’s elementary and middle schools directly are not detailed, the district’s overall performance and the ratings of individual charter schools like Orlando Science Elementary Charter School offer insights into the educational environment. Parents can explore specific school ratings and reviews on platforms like Niche to find schools that best suit their children’s needs.
Demographics and Population
Population and Diversity
South Apopka has a population of approximately 7,300 residents (according to Data USA). The population is growing at an annual rate of about 1.7% (according to Data USA). The median age in South Apopka is 37.1 years (according to Data USA).
The racial composition of South Apopka is diverse. Black or African American residents make up the largest group at 59.8%, followed by Hispanic residents at 20.7%, and White residents at 16.9% (according to Data Commons). This demographic makeup makes South Apopka more diverse than the state of Florida overall (according to Data Commons).
Citizenship and Foreign-Born Population
As of 2024, 89.4% of South Apopka residents are U.S. citizens, a rate slightly lower than the national average of 93.2% (according to Data USA). The percentage of foreign-born residents is 16.4%, which is comparable to the national average (according to Data USA).
The rate of citizenship has been decreasing slightly in recent years, from 89.5% in 2023 to 89.4% in 2024 (according to Data USA). Similarly, the percentage of foreign-born residents has also seen a decrease, from 17.5% in 2023 to 16.4% in 2024 (according to Data USA).