Where is Sanford, Florida

Written and Fact-checked by | Updated On: May 11, 2026

Where is Sanford, Florida Located in the United States? Sanford is a city located in the Seminole County of Florida, United States. Sanford lies between 28.8029 Degrees North latitudes and -81.2695 Degrees West longitudes.

Location Map of Sanford in Seminole County, Florida

Where is Sanford, Florida

About Map: The map shows the location of Sanford in the state of Florida, United States. Sanford is a city in Seminole County, Florida.

Sanford Map, Florida, USA

About Sanford Map: This interactive Google Map shows the exact location of Sanford in Florida, United States. You can zoom in or out, switch to satellite view, and explore nearby cities, roads, and local landmarks around Sanford.

About Sanford, Seminole County, Florida

Sanford is a city located in Seminole County in the U.S. state of Florida, United States. The city was established in 1877 and was named after Henry Shelton Sanford, a diplomat and land developer who played a major role in promoting settlement in the region. Sanford developed as an important transportation and agricultural center during the late nineteenth century, particularly known for citrus farming and shipping along Lake Monroe. Today the city is recognized for its historic downtown district, waterfront location, and role as a gateway to central Florida’s lake region.

Population

According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Sanford is 61,051 as recorded in the 2020 Census, and the population density is approximately 2,300 people per square mile.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, Sanford covers a total area of approximately 26.4 square miles (about 68.4 square kilometers), including about 23.7 square miles (61.4 square kilometers) of land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 square kilometers) of water.

Location and Surroundings

Sanford is located in the northern part of Seminole County along the southern shore of Lake Monroe, which forms part of the St. Johns River system. The city lies within the Orlando metropolitan region and is connected to nearby communities through Interstate 4, U.S. Route 17-92, and several regional highways. Its location provides access to lakes, waterways, and major urban centers in central Florida.

Top Attractions & Popular Destinations

Sanford offers a variety of attractions including its historic downtown area, scenic waterfront along Lake Monroe, and several parks and cultural venues. Popular destinations include Fort Mellon Park, the Sanford RiverWalk, and the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens located nearby. The city also hosts seasonal festivals, art events, and community celebrations that highlight its historic character and cultural activity.

Transportation

Sanford is served by major transportation routes including Interstate 4 and U.S. Route 17-92, connecting the city to Orlando and other parts of central Florida. Rail services including the SunRail commuter system operate in the region, providing connections to surrounding cities. The nearest major airport providing commercial air service is Orlando Sanford International Airport, located within the city.

Explore more counties in Florida Counties or view the complete USA States Map section for additional geographic information.

Sources:

Population and area data sourced from the United States Census Bureau (2020 Census). General city information referenced from the Official City of Sanford Website.

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Sanford Facts

CitySanford
StateFlorida
CountySeminole County
CountryUnited States
RegionCentral Florida – Orlando Metropolitan Area
Founded1870
Incorporated1877
Total AreaApprox. 26.4 sq mi (68.4 km2)
Land AreaApprox. 22.9 sq mi (59.3 km2)
Water AreaApprox. 3.5 sq mi (9.1 km2)
ElevationApprox. 23 ft (7 m)
Population (2023 estimate)Approx. 63,000+
Population (2020 Census)61,051
Population DensityApprox. 2,600 people per sq mi
Time ZoneEastern Time (UTC−5 / UTC−4 DST)
ZIP Codes32771, 32772, 32773
Area Codes321, 407, 689
Major HighwaysInterstate 4 nearby, U.S. Highway 17/92, State Road 46, State Road 417 nearby
Public TransitLYNX bus service; SunRail commuter rail
Major AttractionsHistoric Downtown Sanford, Lake Monroe waterfront, Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, Sanford RiverWalk
Official Websitehttps://www.sanfordfl.gov/

Transportation and Connectivity in Sanford, Florida

Transportation TypeDetails
Airport NameOrlando Sanford International Airport
IATA CodeSFB
PortPort Canaveral (Regional Access)
Major HighwaysInterstate 4, U.S. Highway 17-92, State Road 417, State Road 46
Train ServiceAmtrak and SunRail commuter rail service
Local Bus/Transit ServiceLYNX bus service and SunRail
  • Interstate 4: Major highway connecting Sanford with Orlando, Daytona Beach, and Tampa.
  • U.S. Highway 17-92: Historic north-south route connecting Sanford with Central Florida communities.
  • State Road 417: Provides a direct connection around the eastern Orlando metropolitan area.
  • Orlando Sanford International Airport: Provides commercial and general aviation services for the region.

Top Places to Visit in Sanford, Florida

Landmark NameType
Historic Downtown SanfordHistoric District and Entertainment Area
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical GardensZoo and Nature Attraction
Lake MonroeLake and Waterfront Recreation Area
RiverWalk TrailWalking and Cycling Trail
Sanford MuseumHistory Museum
Fort Mellon ParkWaterfront Community Park
St. Johns RiverRiver Recreation Area
Seminole Towne CenterShopping Center
Wayne Densch Performing Arts CenterCultural Venue
Black Bear Wilderness AreaWildlife and Nature Preserve

Driving Distances from Sanford, Florida to Nearby Cities

CityStateDistance (mi)Approx. Drive Time
OrlandoFlorida25 mi35 minutes
Winter ParkFlorida18 mi30 minutes
Altamonte SpringsFlorida10 mi15 minutes
Daytona BeachFlorida55 mi1 hour
OcalaFlorida75 mi1 hour 20 minutes
TampaFlorida130 mi2 hours
JacksonvilleFlorida135 mi2 hours
GainesvilleFlorida110 mi1 hour 45 minutes
MiamiFlorida250 mi3 hours 45 minutes
TallahasseeFlorida240 mi3 hours 30 minutes

Colleges and Universities Near Sanford, Florida

Institution NameTypeLevelNotable For
Seminole State College of FloridaPublicState CollegeBusiness, technology, healthcare, and transfer programs
University of Central FloridaPublicUniversityEngineering, sciences, business, and research programs
Rollins CollegePrivateUniversityLiberal arts, business, and professional studies
Valencia CollegePublicCommunity CollegeCareer training, technology, and academic programs
Seminole County Public SchoolsPublicK–12 DistrictPrimary and secondary education

Waterbodies Near Sanford, Florida

Lake Monroe, St. Johns River, Lake Jessup, Lake Harney, and nearby waterways throughout Seminole County.

Golf Courses Near Sanford

Mayfair Country Club, Timacuan Golf Club, Heathrow Country Club, Magnolia Plantation Golf Club, and Alaqua Country Club.

Sanford, Florida — Key Historical Facts

  • The Sanford area was originally inhabited by Native American groups, including the Timucua people.
  • The city was founded in 1870 by Henry Shelton Sanford and developed as a transportation and agricultural center.
  • Sanford became known as the “Celery City” because of its successful celery farming industry.
  • The city grew as an important railroad and shipping hub along the St. Johns River.
  • Today, Sanford is known for its historic downtown, waterfront areas, airport, arts, and Central Florida location.

Stadiums and Sports Facilities Near Sanford

Facility NameTypeLocation
Historic Sanford Memorial StadiumBaseball StadiumSanford, Florida
Seminole High School StadiumHigh School Sports StadiumSanford, Florida
Boombah Sports ComplexSports and Tournament FacilitySanford, Florida
Exploria StadiumProfessional Soccer StadiumOrlando, Florida
Camping World StadiumSports and Entertainment StadiumOrlando, Florida

References

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