Sixty-five years ago, North Port had only a handful of residents. Today it is the largest city in Sarasota County by both land area and population, covering nearly 100 square miles and home to nearly 90,000 people. That kind of growth does not happen by accident, and it does not slow down easily either.
In January 2026, U-Haul ranked North Port the second-highest growth city in the United States, and the momentum behind that number is visible everywhere you look. New schools are under construction, a full-service hospital is being built for the first time in the city’s history, commercial corridors are taking shape, and community infrastructure is being added at a pace that reflects a city serious about keeping up with its own expansion.
In this post, we will walk through what is actually being built in North Port right now, so you can see for yourself what this growth is producing on the ground.
A Hospital, Finally
For years, North Port residents had to travel to Venice or Sarasota for hospital care. As per recent reports, that changes in 2028. Sarasota Memorial Health Care System broke ground in November 2025 on a nine-story, 100-bed acute care hospital on North Sumter Boulevard near Interstate 75. The $507 million campus will be the city’s first full-service hospital and only the third hospital SMH has built in its 100-year history. Shell space built into the design allows capacity to expand quickly to 208 beds, with long-range plans allowing for more than 400 beds as the city continues to grow.
A New School Campus Opening in 2026
Imagine School at North Port has served the community for years across two separate campuses on Toledo Blade Boulevard. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, students will move into a brand new unified K-12 campus off Price Boulevard, spanning 139,500 square feet and built for up to 1,500 students. The campus brings both the elementary and high school programs under one roof, with two gyms, two cafeterias, a full athletic field with artificial turf, and a track.
A Veterans Memorial Under Construction
In July 2025, the city broke ground on the Circle of Honor, a new veterans memorial adjacent to City Hall. The project, funded with $1.69 million from Parks and Recreation Impact fees, was initiated after attendance at the existing Veterans Park on U.S. 41 outgrew the space available for events like Memorial Day observances. Completion is expected by July 2026.
Parks and Recreation That Punches Above Its Weight
North Port’s parks system is genuinely impressive for a city of its size. The North Port Aquatic Center offers a lazy river, a heated competition pool, and a drop slide. The city’s 80 miles of freshwater canals are a favourite among kayakers, anglers, and wildlife watchers. Myakka State Forest, which borders the city to the east, covers more than 8,500 acres with miles of trails and forest roads along the Myakka River. The recently opened Boca Chica Neighborhood Park added a low-key four-acre passive park with native tree walks and a children’s play area.
Warm Mineral Springs: Still One of Florida’s Most Unusual Places
Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, Warm Mineral Springs is a 200-foot-deep sinkhole where water sits at a constant 87 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The spring draws from the Florida aquifer and carries more than 50 dissolved minerals. Archaeologists have recovered prehistoric human remains and ancient animal bones from its depths. It functions as part spa, part community gathering spot, and part piece of living Florida history, and it sits right here in North Port.
A Major Commercial Corridor Taking Shape
North Port Gardens, a 514-acre mixed-use activity center with one mile of frontage on Interstate 75, is positioned to become a significant commercial hub. Entitlements include 600,000 square feet of light industrial space, 800,000 square feet of office, 350,000 square feet of retail, over 1,100 residential units, and 450 hotel rooms.
As the city’s residential base continues to grow, commercial development of this scale is what turns a fast-growing suburb into a self-sustaining city.
The Legacy Trail Connects North Port to the Broader Region
The Legacy Trail’s North Port Connector, which opened in 2022 at the Price Boulevard trailhead, gives residents and visitors direct trail access all the way to downtown Sarasota across roughly 30 miles of connected routes. Plans are already approved to extend the connector further south to Warm Mineral Springs, as part of the Florida Gulf Coast Trail, a long-distance trail corridor that will eventually link Tampa to Naples.
At Jennette Properties, we manage vacation rentals across Sarasota, Venice, and increasingly in North Port and the Wellen Park area. We watch this market closely, and North Port is a city we are paying serious attention to right now. If you own a property in the area or are considering an investment, we would be glad to share what we are seeing on the ground.
Contact our team or explore our management services to learn more.
FAQs
Is North Port a Good Place to Buy a Vacation Rental Property?
It is becoming more attractive. The combination of affordability relative to Sarasota and Venice, consistent population inflow, proximity to Wellen Park, and improving infrastructure all point in the right direction for rental investors. The arrival of a full-service hospital, a new school campus, and additional commercial development will make the city more self-contained for longer-stay guests.
How Far Is North Port from the Gulf Beaches?
The Gulf beaches are typically a 20 to 30 minute drive from most parts of North Port, depending on your starting point and traffic. Venice Beach and Caspersen Beach are among the closest options.
What Makes North Port Different from Wellen Park?
Wellen Park is a master-planned community that sits within North Port’s boundaries but operates with its own distinct identity, amenities, and price point. North Port as a whole is a much larger city, more affordable, and more varied in its landscape and character. The two complement each other well for buyers and guests who want access to Wellen Park’s walkable downtown without paying Wellen Park prices.
