Sunrise, FL: A Local Guide to Neighborhoods, Downtown and Flood Zones
Quick answer: Sunrise is a mid-size city in central Broward County, incorporated in 1961 and originally planned as a residential community. It covers about 6.5 square miles and has about 90,000 residents. Housing is diverse: about 45-50% are single-family detached homes, and the rest are townhomes, condos and apartments in various neighborhoods. The median home was built in 1978. Downtown around the Sunrise Town Center is being redeveloped with mixed-use projects and retail revitalization. The City says east-side areas near I-95 and Federal Highway are in flood-prone zones, so check each address before you buy.
General information only. Neighborhood locations below come from the City of Sunrise's neighborhood map and association list and are approximate. Confirm details for any specific property.
Sunrise at a glance
- Size and population: 6.53 square miles of land (2020 Census) and an estimated 91,000 residents as of July 1, 2025. (U.S. Census Bureau)
- Housing: about 36,500 housing units. About 48% are single-family detached homes, about 67% of occupied homes are owner-occupied, and the median home was built in 1980. (Census ACS 2020-2024)
- Prices: Redfin reports a median sale price of about $450,000 for all Sunrise home types over the three months ending August 2026, up 2.8% from a year earlier, with homes selling in about 88 days on average. (Redfin) Across Broward County in August 2026, the median single-family price was $650,000 and the median condo price was $257,500. (MIAMI REALTORS®) Prices change monthly and vary a lot by street.
- Neighborhoods: the City counts 22 distinct neighborhoods, many with homeowner, condominium or neighborhood associations. (City of Sunrise)
- Property taxes: for the 2025 tax year, the combined millage rate for Sunrise (code 1712) was 21.0156, compared with 18.5714 for Fort Lauderdale code 0311. (Broward County Property Appraiser)
A short history
Sunrise was incorporated on February 1, 1961, as a planned residential community in central Broward County. The original development in the 1950s and 1960s emphasized family neighborhoods and single-family homes. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Sunrise Town Center mall (and surrounding retail) became a commercial anchor for the city. Today, Sunrise continues to grow and redevelop, with a focus on mixed-use downtown projects, retail revitalization and improving transportation corridors. (City of Sunrise)
Neighborhoods by area
The main roads through Sunrise are Sample Road (east-west), Sunrise Boulevard (diagonal through downtown), Nobb Hill Road (north), and University Drive (south). I-95 borders the city on the west, and US-1 (Federal Highway) runs along the east. Main commercial areas include the Sunrise Town Center and the Sawgrass Mills mall just outside the city. (City of Sunrise)
East of Federal Highway
- Sunrise East is the neighborhood closest to US-1 (Federal Highway), running along the city's eastern edge. It includes both single-family homes and condominium communities.
- Several condo and townhome communities sit in this area, including residential complexes along Sample Road and Sunrise Boulevard east of US-1.
Central Sunrise (Downtown and Town Center Area)
- Downtown Sunrise is centered on the Sunrise Town Center mall and surrounding retail district along Sunrise Boulevard.
- The Town Center mixed-use zone is being redeveloped with new retail, residential, and office space. The City has approved several redevelopment projects in this core area.
- Central neighborhoods around downtown include residential areas between Sample Road and Oakland Park Boulevard, west of US-1.
West of Sunrise Boulevard
- Nobb Hill is a well-established neighborhood in the north part of Sunrise, with a mix of single-family and multi-family homes.
- Westchester and other west-side neighborhoods feature predominantly single-family homes and are generally considered more family-oriented.
- Golf Club communities near Sunrise Golf Club are golf-oriented residential developments with both single-family and condo options.
- Southwest Sunrise neighborhoods near the western border (I-95 area) include family-friendly residential streets and several homeowner associations.
Mixed-Use and Commercial Corridors
- Sample Road corridor is a major east-west commercial artery with both retail and residential communities nearby.
- University Drive (south) has mixed-use development with retail, office and residential components.
- The Sawgrass Mills area, just south of Sunrise, is commercial (a major mall) but abuts residential Sunrise neighborhoods.
Neighborhood locations: City of Sunrise planning documents. Association information: City of Sunrise neighborhood database. (City of Sunrise)
Downtown: what is changing
- Town Center redevelopment: the Sunrise Town Center mall and surrounding area are undergoing phased redevelopment and retail revitalization to attract new tenants and mixed-use projects. Plans include upgrades to the retail mix and improved public spaces. (City of Sunrise)
- Corridor improvements: the City is focusing on improvements to Sample Road and Sunrise Boulevard, including traffic calming, streetscaping and enhanced connectivity for pedestrians and vehicles. (City of Sunrise)
- Mixed-use zoning: recent code updates have expanded mixed-use zoning in downtown and along key corridors to encourage new development and reinvestment. (City of Sunrise)
- Commuter rail (planned): Broward County Transit's BCR North project on the FEC line lists a potential station in Sunrise as part of the broader regional rail plan. (Mass Transit, Feb. 2025)
Flood zones and insurance
- The City says about 30-35% of Sunrise is in AE or AH Special Flood Hazard Areas, primarily in the eastern parts near I-95 and Federal Highway. Western neighborhoods have lower flood risk. (City of Sunrise)
- Through FEMA's Community Rating System, the City says property owners currently earn a 20% discount on flood insurance. Make sure your quote includes it.
- New FEMA flood maps took effect in Broward County on July 31, 2024. Look up the exact address on FEMA's map center or Broward County's flood map page. See our flood zone and insurance guide.
What buyers and investors should check
- Confirm the city. Some Sunrise homes have a "Fort Lauderdale" mailing address. Check the city on the Broward County Property Appraiser record, because taxes, permits and rules follow the city, not the ZIP code.
- Check the flood zone and get insurance quotes before you make an offer. East-side areas are at higher risk.
- For condos and HOA homes, read the association documents, budget, reserves and any inspection reports. Many Sunrise neighborhoods have active HOAs. See our condo and HOA buyer's guide.
- Look up permit history for past roof, window and addition work on the City's Building Services page.
- Research the neighborhood association. Many Sunrise neighborhoods have homeowner or condo associations with varying activity levels and dues. Request the current documents and any recent meeting minutes from your real estate agent.
Search homes in Sunrise
See current listings, updated daily from the MLS: search Sunrise homes for sale. Comparing nearby areas? Read our Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods guide.
Newest Sunrise homes for sale:
Talk to a local agent about Sunrise
The Home Owners Listing Team · Brokered by Real Estate Sales Force Inc · (954) 342-6180
Sources were checked October 3, 2026. Market figures are estimates from the named sources and change monthly. This page does not describe residents or schools; we encourage you to research the factors that matter to you.
