Real Estate Education
Where Is Westlake, Florida? Inside Palm Beach County's Newest City
July 14, 2026 · 7 min read · By Pure Equity Realty
Westlake is Palm Beach County's newest city, built from scratch by Minto in the western part of the county. Here is where it sits, how it grew, and what living there looks like.
Where is Westlake, Florida? It sits in the western part of Palm Beach County, roughly 30 minutes west of downtown West Palm Beach and just past Loxahatchee, near the rural stretch known as The Acreage. Unlike the county's older beach towns, Westlake did not grow up over a century. Minto Communities built it from open land, and it became Palm Beach County's 39th municipality when it incorporated in 2016.
Key Takeaways
- Westlake is in western Palm Beach County, about 30 minutes west of West Palm Beach, past Loxahatchee.
- It incorporated in 2016 and is one of Florida's newest cities, developed by Minto Communities.
- The community spans roughly 3,800 acres and was originally approved for about 4,500 homes, with entitlements allowing more.
- Population has grown fast, from under 1,000 in 2020 to well over 7,000 by 2024.
- Homes range from townhomes in the mid-$300,000s to larger single-family houses.
Where is Westlake, Florida, on the map?
Westlake lies inland, west of the coastal cities most people picture when they think of Palm Beach County. From the beaches of Palm Beach or the offices of downtown West Palm Beach, you head west, past the suburbs and out toward the agricultural edge of the county. The city sits near Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, surrounded by the semi-rural communities of Loxahatchee and The Acreage. That location gives Westlake more space and newer construction than you find closer to the water, at prices that tend to undercut the coast.
A city built from scratch
Most Florida cities grew slowly around a port, a railroad, or a resort. Westlake did not. Minto Communities acquired a large tract of land in western Palm Beach County and set out to build a full master-planned city, complete with homes, retail, parks, and its own government. The site covers about 3,800 acres. When residents voted to incorporate in 2016, Westlake officially became a city rather than just a subdivision, which gave it local control over zoning, services, and growth.
That from-the-ground-up approach puts Westlake in the same category as other South Florida master-planned communities we have profiled, including Avenir in Palm Beach Gardens and Arden farther south. Each one sells the same core idea: a brand-new community with modern homes and built-in amenities.
How many homes and people?
Westlake was originally approved for about 4,500 homes, though later entitlements allow the developer to build more, with reports citing a cap as high as 6,500. Either way, this is a large, long-term build. The population has climbed quickly to match. Westlake counted fewer than 1,000 residents in 2020, and by late 2024 that figure had passed 7,600. The city led Palm Beach County in single-family home building activity in 2022, a sign of just how fast it has been filling in.
What does it cost to live in Westlake?
Housing in Westlake spans a range. Townhomes have been offered from the mid-$300,000s up to around $500,000, while single-family homes run higher depending on size and builder. Because Minto controls much of the construction, buyers get newer homes with current building codes, which matters for insurance and energy costs in South Florida. For a broader sense of what a household spends across the region, our guide to the cost of living in South Florida is a useful companion. Buyers weighing new construction should also read up on the builders shaping nearby communities before choosing.
Amenities and daily life
Westlake was designed to keep everyday errands close. A 50,000-square-foot Publix opened in the city in June 2024, and the community includes recreation features such as a long fitness trail and a central amenity area. Families in Westlake fall within the western Palm Beach County school zones, and the city's location gives quick access to the shopping and dining of the western suburbs. For those who work in West Palm Beach or the coastal job centers, the commute is the main trade-off, since Westlake trades beach proximity for space and value.
Is Westlake right for you?
Westlake suits buyers who want a new home, a planned community, and more square footage for the money than the coast offers. It is still filling in, so you buy into a place that is actively growing rather than one that is finished. If newer construction and a master-planned setting appeal to you, Westlake belongs on the list alongside the county's other new communities. Browse current new construction options or explore the wider Palm Beach County market to compare.
Frequently asked questions
What county is Westlake, Florida, in?
Westlake is in Palm Beach County, in the western, inland part of the county near Loxahatchee and The Acreage.
Is Westlake a real city?
Yes. Westlake incorporated in 2016 and is Palm Beach County's 39th municipality, with its own city government, rather than just a neighborhood.
Who built Westlake?
Minto Communities is the master developer and primary homebuilder, having built the community from open land in western Palm Beach County.
How far is Westlake from West Palm Beach?
Westlake sits roughly 30 minutes west of downtown West Palm Beach, past the suburbs and toward the agricultural edge of the county.
Curious about a new home in western Palm Beach County? Westlake and its neighboring communities offer newer construction at inland prices. Contact Pure Equity Realty and we will help you compare communities, builders, and floor plans.
