“Skyscrapers and high-rises tower over Tampa while surrounding neighborhoods are picturesque villages.”

Community Profile

Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida

With a population of approximately 400,000 people, Tampa, Florida is one of the largest cities in the United States. Its proximity to the ocean opens up a world of recreational opportunities and a social climate only a sea-side city could offer. Public parks, museums, theaters, and fine art galleries add to the inland repertoire of cultural fare. People love to move here. They love to see and touch and learn and do. This place is absolutely electric with creative energy.

Professional sports teams keep baseball, basketball, hockey, and football fans on the edges of their seats through every season. Somehow they unite the community and tie all of these people together with a common thread – something to cheer for, something to be proud of.

The dense population in Tampa makes this the perfect place to plant and grow a business. Commerce flourishes as a strong workforce, a healthy demand and many forms of product transportation are all within arms reach.

Tampa has received high rankings. It was named the 8th Cleanest City in America by Yahoo! Real Estate; and the 5th Best Outdoor City by Forbes.

Climate:
Tampa boasts a humid, subtropical climate with temperatures ranging from 65 to 95 degrees and an average yearly rainfall of 46.3 inches.

Median Household Income: $42,677

Median Age: 34.7

EDUCATION
Tampa has multiple educational options in the way of colleges and universities including:

• The University of South Florida, one of the nations five biggest universities with more than 46,000 students
• The University of Tampa, a private university in downtown Tampa with 5,800 students

The following institutions of higher learning also serve more than 2,000 students each and are located near in or near Tampa.

• Hillsborough Community College, Tampa, Florida
• Saint Leo University, St. Leo, Florida
• Travis Career Center, Florida
• Pasco-Hernando Community College, Newport Richey, Florida
• Polk Community College, Winter Haven, Florida

TRANSPORTATION

• Tampa International Airport, ranked #1 in 2003 in the U.S. for its creativity and interior design by Conde Nast Traveler
• Peter O. Knight Airport, a small, general aviation terminal
• Tampa Executive Airport, another choice for general aviation
• St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport, another aviation option
• Tampa Union Train Station, Tampa’s Amtrak service
• Port of Tampa, used for shipping and a cruise ship port
• Mass transit via streetcars and buses for city travel

ATTRACTIONS AND RECREATION

• 165 parks and beaches are located within Tampa City limits, so enjoy the white sand beaches, blue water and great sunsets
• Busch Gardens Africa, 335-acre animal habitat and amusement park with loads of family fun
• Adventure Island is Tampa’s 30- acre water park
• Lowry Park Zoo, non-profit zoo with more Florida species than any other zoo in Florida, rated #1 Best Zoo in the U.S. by Parents Magazine
• Florida Aquarium, 250,000 square foot aquarium with 20,000 species of plants and animals, child-friendly water park and daily shows

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Tampa Performing Arts Center, provides a wide array of world-class events in five theaters, performing arts conservatory, rehearsal hall, boutique and restaurants
• Tampa Theatre, Tampa’s only non-profit theater, listed in the National Register for Historic American Places
• Tampa Museum of Art, displays fine art of the 20th century
• Gorilla Theatre, full-season live theater
• USF Contemporary Art Museum
• Museum of Science and Industry with Florida’s only IMAX dome theater

MAJOR EVENTS

• Gasparilla Pirate Festival, the Mardi Gras of Tampa
• Outback Bowl, held at the Raymond James Stadium New Years Day
• Florida State Fair, held mid-February, about 400,000 people attend this event

Tampa exhibits a diverse culture evident in its city and people. Skyscrapers and high-rises tower over Tampa while surrounding neighborhoods are picturesque villages.

Tampa is divided up into communities: Downtown Tampa, New Tampa, West Tampa, East Tampa, North Tampa and South Tampa.

TAMPA BAY AREA PROFESSIONAL SPORTS
National Football League Tampa Bay Buccaneers
National Hockey League Tampa Bay Lighting
Major League Baseball Tampa Bay Rays 
Minor League Baseball Tampa Yankees
Arena Football Tampa Bay Storm

COMMERCE

• Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
• South Tampa Chamber of Commerce
• Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce of the Gulf Coast
• North Tampa Chamber of Commerce
• Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce

A few major employers of Hillsborough County:

• Hillsborough County School District
• Verizon Communications
• MacDill Air Force Base
• University of South Florida
• Hillsborough County Government
• Tampa International Airport
• James A. Haley Veterans Hospital
• St. Joseph’s Hospital
• JPMorgan Chase

GOVERNMENT
Community
Tampa, Florida
Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County is the major metropolitan complex of Florida’s Gulf Coast. This is an important shipping center due to the deep waters of Tampa Bay. There are many, many communities in Hillsborough County, but only three incorporated cities including Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace.

Hillsborough County, Florida is midway along Florida’s West Coast. There are 1,048 square miles of land and 24 square miles of inland water area for a total of 1,072 square miles.

The unincorporated area encompasses 909 square miles, or more than 84 percent of the total county area. Municipalities account for 163 square miles.

State
Florida
Governor