The Villages is a census-designated place (CDP) in Sumter and Marion counties in the U.S. state of Florida. It shares its name with a broader master-planned, age-restricted community that spreads into portions of Lake County. The overall development lies in central Florida, approximately 20 miles (32 km) south of Ocala and approximately 45 miles (72 km) northwest of Orlando. As of the 2020 census, the population of the CDP was 79,077.

Sumter County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population is 129,752. It has the oldest median age of any US county and the highest percentage of residents aged 65 and older—at 55.6% in 2014–2018. Its county seat is Bushnell, and the largest city is Wildwood. Although the community of The Villages has more residents, it is a part of unincorporated Sumter County.