Sumter County is a county located in the state of Florida, United States. As of the 2000 Census, the population was 53,345. The 2006 Census estimate puts its population at 68,768. Its county seat is Bushnell, Florida and the largest incorporated municipality is Wildwood, Florida. The Villages, an unincorporated neighborhood, is its most populous location. The county is also referred to as The Villages, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area. Sumter County was affected by the massive Florida tornado outbreak of February 2, 2007 and declared a state of emergency. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,503 km² (580 mi²). 1,413 km² (546 mi²) of it is land and 90 km² (35 mi²) of it (5.96%) is water.

As of the census² of 2000, there were 53,345 people, 20,779 households, and 15,043 families residing in the county. The population density was 38/km² (98/mi²). There were 25,195 housing units at an average density of 18/km² (46/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 82.60% White, 13.78% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.16% from other races, and 1.49% from two or more races. 6.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.