From the bungalows that line the leafy streets of Palmetto to the shiny new master-planned communities of Parrish and Ellenton, north Manatee County, north of the Manatee River, is both changing at lightning speed and, in some places, staying pretty much the same.

Less than a decade ago, north Manatee County was a sleepy farming region of orange groves and pastureland. Today it’s a magnet for families and empty nesters looking for affordability and easy access to both Sarasota and Tampa-St. Petersburg, thanks to its proximity to Interstate-75. It’s highly likely, for example, to find a 1,500-square-foot single-family new home in a community with all kinds of amenities for a price in the mid-$200,000s. And with the Manatee River and a multitude of public parks and preserves at its doorstep, outdoor pursuits are plentiful.

Nearly 24,000 new homes have been permitted for this fast-growing region, so let’s take a closer look at Palmetto, Terra Ceia, Ellenton and Parrish.