Zellwood is a census-designated place in Orange County, Florida, located on the north shore of Lake Apopka, northwest of Orlando and near the city of Apopka. With a population of 2,758 at the 2020 census, it is a distinctive community known for its large senior population and its agricultural past. The community's demographic character is notable: Zellwood's median age is over 65, and more than half of its residents are age 65 or older. This reflects the presence of active-adult communities such as Zellwood Station, which anchor the area's identity as a retirement destination within Orange County. These communities provide a social, low-maintenance residential environment that has come to define much of Zellwood. Zellwood's history is rooted in agriculture. The Zellwood Drainage and Water Control District was created by the Florida Legislature in 1941 to manage the farming area on the north shore of Lake Apopka, with canals and pump stations serving the surrounding farmland. Agriculture dominated the area until the late 1990s, when most farms were purchased by the state for lake restoration. The community's post office dates to 1877, reflecting its long settlement history along the lake's north shore. Public education is provided by Orange County Public Schools, and the community is home to Zellwood Elementary School. For residents, Zellwood offers a quiet, established setting on the edge of Lake Apopka, combining a senior-oriented community, a rural-influenced landscape, and proximity to Apopka and the greater Orlando area. It remains a distinctive corner of northwest Orange County, where a retirement lifestyle and a legacy of farming meet along one of Central Florida's largest lakes.