I have a book titled The Villages Then and Now. The information posted before is all in this book plus more information. I purchased mine about 6 years ago at All Booked up which has two locations in The Villages. The Author is Lee King PHD.
The Villages: Then and Now - Lee King - Google Books
Orlando Sentinel article about the author and book. Article was written in 2004 so the numbers are much different compared to today. We nhave come a long way.
Of course it has the normal Orlando Sentinel slants zinged into the article but still interesting.
Author Tells The Villages' Story - Orlando Sentinel