Living In Davie Florida

Insights from a Local Real Estate Agent

By Michele Noonan | Davie Realtor | Listing Specialist

Davie is unlike any other city in Broward County — a town that has protected its equestrian, agricultural character even as it grew into the largest town in Florida by population. As a Davie real estate agent with more than two decades of experience in this market, I understand what makes Davie different from the rest of Broward County, and I know what buyers and sellers here actually need. Whether you're buying, selling, or just trying to understand what makes Davie different, here's what you need to know about Davie: its neighborhoods, schools, and lifestyle, current market insights, and what it actually takes to sell here successfully.

Where is Davie FL Located?

Davie sits in central Broward County, approximately 24 miles north of Miami. The town's population was 110,320 at the 2020 census, making it the largest town in Florida by population — larger than many incorporated cities in the state.

Davie is centrally located within Broward County, bordered by Plantation and Sunrise to the north, Cooper City and Southwest Ranches to the west and south, and Fort Lauderdale to the east. I-595 and University Drive both run through the town, giving residents strong access across the county.

A Brief History of Davie FL

Davie's roots trace back to the early 1900s, when its first settlers named the area "Zona" in honor of their former home in the Panama Canal Zone. The town was renamed Davie in 1916 in recognition of Robert Parsell Davie, a developer who helped drain the surrounding Everglades swampland and built the area's first schoolhouse.

Davie was originally incorporated in 1925, then dissolved the following legislative session to avoid resulting taxation. It incorporated again in 1961 with fewer than 2,000 residents — and critically, established zoning laws at that time that protected agricultural and equestrian uses. That decision is why Davie still looks and feels the way it does today.

What Makes Davie Different

Equestrian zoning — Davie is one of the only municipalities in Broward County where horseback riding, barns, and agricultural zoning are actively protected by town code. Half-acre and full-acre properties are common, and many neighborhoods are built with bridle paths and equestrian access as a core part of the design, not an afterthought.

Western heritage — Davie has leaned into its ranching and rodeo history rather than developing it away. Western-style architecture requirements exist in parts of town, and the community identity as a "cowboy town" is genuine, not a marketing gimmick — it dates back over a century.

165+ miles of trails — The town maintains an extensive public trail system weaving through parks, canals, and wooded greenbelts connecting neighborhoods, giving Davie a level of outdoor connectivity that's rare this close to Fort Lauderdale.

Size and scale — As the largest town in Florida by population, Davie offers a genuinely wide range of housing stock, from multi-acre equestrian estates to standard suburban subdivisions, all within one town's boundaries.

HOA Considerations

HOA structures in Davie vary more than in almost any other Broward city, largely because of the range between equestrian-zoned acreage properties and standard planned communities. Guard-gated luxury communities like Long Lake Ranches carry HOA fees that fund clubhouse amenities, tennis courts, and security staffing. Older, established neighborhoods and acreage properties often carry lighter or no HOA structure at all, similar to Plantation Acres. Buyers need to understand which category a given property falls into, since that materially affects both lifestyle expectations and true monthly carrying costs.

Davie Neighborhoods

Approximately 52 neighborhoods are spread across Davie, no two areas feel quite the same. Some are guard-gated with multi-acre lots, others are open acreage built for horses, and others are tight-knit, established communities close to everything.Davie contains one of the widest ranges of residential character of any Broward city, from multi-acre equestrian estates to guard-gated luxury communities. These are the neighborhoods most relevant to buyers and sellers I work with.

Long Lake Ranches

Long Lake Ranches is widely considered Davie's benchmark luxury community, developed between 2001 and 2003 by GL Homes. It's a guard-gated community of roughly 240 custom estate homes, each situated on a "builder's acre" of approximately 35,000 square feet. Beyond the 24-hour guard gate, residents have access to a private clubhouse with a fitness center, basketball courts, and four Har-Tru tennis courts.

Current Price Range: $1,400,000 to $3,000,000+

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Davie, FL a good place to live?

Davie offers a genuinely different lifestyle than most of Broward County — equestrian-zoned properties, protected green space, and a strong sense of small-town identity despite being the largest town in Florida by population. It appeals strongly to buyers who want land, horses, or simply more space than denser Broward cities allow.

Can you keep horses in Davie, FL?

Yes — this is one of Davie's defining features. Agricultural zoning in many parts of town specifically allows horses, chickens, and other livestock, and the town has protected this zoning since its 1961 incorporation. Many neighborhoods include bridle paths and equestrian centers as part of their design.

What schools serve Davie, FL?

Davie is served by Broward County Public Schools, and the town is also home to Nova Southeastern University and NSU University School, a well-regarded private K-12 institution that draws families from across Broward County.

How far is Davie from the beach?

Fort Lauderdale Beach is approximately 20 to 25 minutes from most Davie neighborhoods, depending on location within the town.

What is the cost of living in Davie, FL?

Cost of living in Davie varies significantly by neighborhood given the town's wide range of housing stock — from multi-million dollar equestrian estates in communities like Long Lake Ranches to more moderately priced standard subdivisions. Florida's lack of state income tax offsets some cost for buyers relocating from higher-tax states.

Davie Florida Market Insights

Davie's market has stayed active through 2026, with home prices generally landing in the $500,000 to $650,000 range depending on property type and neighborhood, and well-priced homes typically moving faster than the overall market average. Because Davie spans everything from multi-acre equestrian estates to standard suburban subdivisions, pricing and timeline vary more by neighborhood here than in almost any other Broward city — which is exactly why local, neighborhood-specific pricing knowledge matters more in Davie than it does almost anywhere else.

Want to know what your own Davie home is worth right now? Request a home valuation. And if you're comparing agents before deciding who to list with, my How to Choose a Real Estate Agent guide walks through exactly what to ask.

Thinking About Selling Your Davie Home?

Davie's market is unlike any other in Broward County, and pricing an equestrian-zoned property or acreage estate takes different expertise than pricing a standard subdivision home. If you're considering selling, the right first step is understanding exactly where your home sits in today's market.

Request Your Davie Home Valuation or call me directly: 954.882.8900

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