From rural tomato hub to thriving Gulf coast suburb
Sitting on Tampa Bay’s eastern shores, Ruskin has transformed from an unassuming rural farming town to a thriving suburb known for its coastal beauty and outdoor recreation. About 20 miles from Tampa, the town of 25,000 was once attractive to retirees, farmers and snowbirds. Today, homebuyers flock to the area for its affordability, small-town feel and proximity to the Gulf waters and pristine natural areas. “You’re out of the hustle and bustle of Tampa and Sarasota, but it's a nice place,” says Christie Reed, Realtor for Smith & Associates Real Estate. “It’s not a busy city. It’s very laid back and has its own charm.”
Ruskin was founded in 1908. As an agriculture hub, the town's economy was dominated by tomato crops, generating millions in the 1980s. It also had one of the world’s largest tomato packing plants. The housing boom of the ‘90s mostly killed off the tomato industry, and more development took root. While Ruskin is no longer Florida’s biggest tomato producer, two large packing plants still serve the area. Health care, education and tourism are the biggest industries. Major employers include Hillsborough County Public Schools, Medical Center of Sun City and HCA Florida South Shore Hospital. In 2014, an Amazon facility opened, bringing over 3,000 jobs to the area.
Overview of beach and dock in Ruskin, FL.
Enjoy a day out on the water at Ruskin Commongood Boat Ramp and Park.
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Surrounded by maritime fun and nature preserves
Fishing. boating and other maritime activities are popular pastimes, with Ruskin sitting on the Gulf waters. Golfing is also big here, with seven courses surrounding the town. Little Manatee River, feeding into the bay, flows through the middle of Ruskin and is a hub for outdoor recreation. The 2,400-acre Little Manatee River State Park has an aquatic preserve, camping and miles of multiuse trails. Cockroach Bay Preserve State Park sits along the river, expanding to several islands along Tampa Bay. Its forested aquatic preserve is popular for paddling and birding. The waterfront E.G. Simmons Regional Park in north Ruskin has a wildlife sanctuary, beach and campground. Camp Bayou Outdoor Learning Center provides a preserve and environmental education facility with adult and youth programs. It has exhibits on Ruskin's natural history at the Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum. Bahia Beach is in Ruskin and a bit of a hidden gem. It’s not as crowded as other nearby beaches. The waterfront Apollo Beach Nature Preserve is less than 5 miles from Ruskin, known for hiking and fishing. The Manatee Viewing Center, across from the preserve, is the area’s most popular attraction. It's next to the Big Bend Power Station, and the warm water from the plant attracts hundreds of manatees that visitors can view.
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Entrance and start to the nature trail at Camp Bayou Nature Preserve.
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Quaint ramblers, 55-plus developments and waterfront estates
The housing market in Ruskin is expanding to meet the demand, with options ranging from simple ramblers to Gulf-front estates, master-planned subdivisions and 55-plus developments. Ruskin’s median single-family home price is $370,000. Prices are 24% lower than Tampa and 13% lower than the national median. A small three-bedroom rambler starts around the high-$200,000s to the low-$500,000 for a two-story, three- or four-bedroom. Newer construction starts in the high-$500,000s, and waterfront properties cost over $1 million. “It ranges from starter homes all the way to mansions,” says Reed. “If you’re on a budget, Ruskin's a great place to live.” Riverbend is a newer community with single-family homes under $450,000. It attracts those with children as it’s close to parks and schools. Antigua Cove is a waterfront community with Mediterranean mansions in the millions with private docks. Retirees have many options, from single-family homes in the Riverside Club golf neighborhood to the Southside Rural Community, offering manufactured homes.
Florida, ranch-style home within the Ruskin, FL neighborhood.
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Diverse family owned eateries and a retro drive-in
Most shops and restaurants are locally owned and along Highway 41 and Sun City Boulevard. Latin American cuisine is prevalent, from Cuban tavern Ybor Grille to no-frills taco stands like Taqueria Garcia and The Hot Tomato, a Latin community favorite. The town also utilizes its Gulf Coast location with local favorite seafood spots like Lazy Gator and fine dining waterfront establishments such as Sunset Bar and Grill. Since 1952, Ruskin Family Drive-In Theater has been an area favorite for catching flicks year-round. Cypress Village Plaza is the biggest shopping center in neighboring Sun City to the east. Firehouse Cultural Center is a hub for live music and comedy shows.
Ruskin has many local businesses and retail spots.
Finn's Dockside is a waterfront dining option in Apollo Beach appreciated by the locals near Ruskin.
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Top-ranked school district, eighth largest in the nation
Hillsborough County Public Schools serves the area and has a B-plus Niche grade. With over 224,000 students, it’s the eighth-largest district in the country.
Lennard High School serves students in grades 9-12.
Thompson Elementary School is a new school serving the Ruskin area.
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An annual drawing festival and seafood celebration
The annual BIG DRAW-Ruskin Festival is part of the larger International Campaign for Drawing, which hosts the biggest drawing festival in the world. It’s been a tradition since 2008 to celebrate Ruskin’s founding and John Ruskin. It celebrates his vision of writing and drawing to promote the importance of arts in education and community life. There are a variety of events and prizes for all types of artists. The Ruskin Seafood & Arts Festival has been a tradition for over 30 years. Held in November, the two-festival features many seafood vendors and live music.
A subtropical climate and low crime
Ruskin experiences a humid subtropical climate and mild winters.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office’s 2023 annual report, overall crime was down by 14.5%, and violent crimes were down by 8%.
About 20 miles from Tampa
U.S. Highway 41 runs through its western side, and Interstate 75 runs through its eastern side, connecting it to the broader region. Tampa is about 21 miles north, Tampa International Airport is approximately 35 miles away, and Clearwater is about a 44-mile drive. Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority operates 27 fixed routes and four express routes.
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