Florida's third-largest city is seeing significant growth
Warm, sunny weather, an array of activities—including easy access to Gulf Coast beaches—and a vibrant dining scene are some of the more obvious reasons for Tampa's appeal. But Florida's third-most populous city, home to more than 403,000, is also attracting new residents thanks to its thriving economy.
Tampa's initial growth in the 19th century was fueled by shipping, railroads—and accompanying hotel construction along the line—and, famously, cigar manufacturing. Today, Tampa has a robust, diverse economy driven by the maritime industry, tourism, manufacturing, healthcare and technology. Port Tampa Bay is Florida's largest seaport, handling half of all sea commerce that passes through the state, with a $15 billion economic impact. High-tech global manufacturer Jabil is one of Tampa's largest employers, along with BayCare Health System, HCA Healthcare West Florida and Hillsborough County Public Schools. MacDill Air Force Base contributes $3 billion to the local economy, employing over 31,000 people. Tourism has long been vital to the city, and hotel revenue alone topped $1 billion in 2024. Several Fortune 1000 companies, including Bloomin' Brands (which owns Outback Steakhouse and Carrabba's Italian Grill), TECO Energy and Raymond James Financial, are headquartered in Tampa.
The city expects to grow by more than 150,000 people by 2045 and to add almost 4,000 tech jobs by 2027. Tampa's "Imagine 2040" Plan aims to address future issues, including housing affordability, infrastructure, workforce development, land development, sustainability and maintaining neighborhood character. Major development initiatives in the city include GasWorx, a mixed-use project that will connect Ybor City with Channelside and include residential and commercial buildings, retail, trails and a new streetcar stop.
After Tampa, Clearwater and St. Petersburg make up the largest cities in the metro area, which is home to 3.5 million people.
New direct access to St. Petersburg, from Bayshore brings a new night life.
Take a scenic, coastal walk along Bayshore Boulevard, Bayshore's longest and historic sidewalk.
The Port of Tampa is just across the water from downtown.
Entering the Landmark Historic District of Ybor City in Tampa.
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Mediterranean mansions, historic bungalows and high-rise condos
Tampa's housing market is robust: the median home price in 2024 was $440,000, up 6% from the previous year. "Prices have risen, for sure, and it's hard to get anything in Tampa under $300,000," says Chris Zoller, a Realtor with Brainard Realty and The Welcome Home Team. "The area has seen a ton of development over the last several years. I could sell my house for twice the value I bought it for in 2019. The demand is insane."
Tampa is defined by six regions: Downtown, New Tampa, West Tampa , East Tampa , North Tampa and South Tampa. There are over 80 neighborhoods and six historic districts in the city. Hyde Park , one of Tampa's largest historic districts, primarily features Victorian homes and 1920s bungalows averaging $1 million. "It's the perfect blend of city living with a neighborhood setting," Jamison says. "It's one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the [Tampa] Bay area." It's also one of the trendier neighborhoods, along with Ybor City and SoHo , which attract creatives and young professionals thanks to their walkability to restaurants and entertainment. City Center Tampa mainly offers high-rise condos ranging from the low-$200,000s to nearly $1 million for luxury units with water views. Davis Islands is a waterfront community with multimillion-dollar Mediterranean-style estates. West Tampa appeals to families with its single-family homes averaging in the low-$400,000s near parks, schools and hospitals. To the north, New Tampa features master-planned communities like Richmond Place with condos, townhouses and single-family homes ranging from around $170,000 to $625,000. Gated and golf communities, as well as 55-plus developments, are also found throughout the city.
Hyde Park is a historic neighborhood and one of the oldest in Tampa.
Bungalows in Hyde Park are shaded by tall palm trees.
Many new homes retain the mediterranean style on Davis Islands.
The Heron is a premier Water Street luxury apartment building in Channelside.
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Waterfront parks with boating, fishing and snorkeling
Water is a way of life in Tampa, with the city sitting along the Tampa Bay and the Hillsborough River flowing past downtown. Tampa has over 190 parks and 400 miles of trails, many centered around water. Fort DeSoto Park is one of the most popular waterfront areas, featuring miles of shoreline and five islands along the Gulf. The site has beaches, a historic fort and museum, trails and camping. A ferry stops here, traveling to Egmont Key, a remote area popular for snorkeling and viewing wildlife. Ballast Point Park is a well-known historical bayfront park with downtown views. Picnic Island Park, near the Air Force base at the southern tip of Tampa, is a 7-acre manmade island featuring one beach for humans and another for dogs.
Tampa Riverwalk, a mixed-used path along the Hillsborough River downtown, connects multiple parks, public spaces, hotels and attractions, including the Tampa Convention Center and the Waterfront Arts District. The city recently approved funds to expand the Riverwalk to connect downtown with several neighborhoods, including West Tampa, via pedestrian- and bike-friendly paths; the project is expected to be completed by 2027.
Anglers can cast a line at local parks and piers scattered along Hillsborough Bay. Boaters can access more than six public marinas, and several private boat and yacht clubs are in the area. Passage Key and Shell Key are busy islands on the Gulf side, where boaters can drop anchor in the blue-green waters and enjoy the sandy beaches. Golfers can find over 40 courses in the Tampa Bay area, including the Roger Park Golf Course, a public 18-hole course in Seminole Heights that hosts the Tampa City Men's Open Championship each year.
From Tampa, it's less than a 25-mile drive west to Clearwater Beach and about 30 miles to St. Pete Beach.
Catch a big one off of the Ballast Point pier in Bayshore.
Picnic Island Park's Boat Ramp leads straight into Tampa Bay.
Tampa Riverwalk runs around Downtown Tampa is a nice walk for visitors.
Golfers enjoy the practice range at Roger Park Golf Course in Tampa.
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Trendy dining, pro sports stadiums and family-friendly Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Tampa has many dining districts, old and new, but one of the best-known is Ybor City, a former cigar factory hub whose historic buildings house cafes and restaurants. They include Columbia Restaurant, Florida's oldest restaurant, which was founded in 1905. It serves traditional Cuban fare, including Cuban sandwiches. On the newer side is Armature Works, set in a converted historic building in the Tampa Heights neighborhood with multiple restaurants, bars and outdoor seating. The Channel District is home to the ever-expanding Water Street Tampa, a mixed-use development project with plenty of waterfront dining and drinking options, especially at Sparkman Wharf. Another popular area is Hyde Park Village, which has six blocks of dining, entertainment and upscale shopping. "It's basically like a restaurant row," says Jillian Jamison, a Realtor with the Jamison Team at Real Broker LLC of Hyde Park Village. "There are a ton of local restaurants and nightlife here." The city also has several Michelin-starred restaurants, including Ebbe, a Scandinavian-influenced spot downtown. Tampa's craft beer scene is also brewing—with the Bay region home to the highest concentration of breweries in Florida. Cigar City Brewing is a mini-chain of brewpubs, while the Seminole Heights neighborhood is a hub for local breweries.
Tampa's biggest shopping hubs are the International Plaza and Bay Street, a mall with around 200 stores, including Nordstrom. One of the city's first malls, WestShore Plaza, features Macy's and chain restaurants. Hyde Park Village has upscale boutiques in an open-air complex dotted with fountains.
Cultural venues range from the Tampa Theatre, a landmark cinema screening films since 1926, to MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, a 20,000-seat venue drawing national music acts. The Tampa Museum of Art has one of the region's largest collections of Greek and Roman artifacts, and J.C. Newman Cigar Co. chronicles the city's cigar heritage. Sports fans can see the National Football League's Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium and the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Steinbrenner Field hosts the New York Yankees for their spring games. Family friendly city attractions include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, ZooTampa and the Florida Aquarium.
The famous "1905 Salad" is a must-have when visiting The Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City.
Raymond James Stadium is the heart of the Stadium Area neighborhood.
International Plaza is home to high-end shopping and dining experiences in Westshore.
The Tampa Theatre is a beautiful landmark in downtown Tampa.
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Served by well-rated Hillsborough County Public Schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools serves Tampa and has a B-plus Niche rating. With more than 224,000 students, the district is the eighth-largest in the country. It offers a variety of career and technical programs, ranging from biotech to video game design. "Schools are also often a big part of why people move to the region," Zoller says.
Tampa is also home to the University of South Florida, the fourth-largest university in the nation in terms of total enrollment. The school is known for its research activities and well-regarded programs like criminology and nursing. The University of Tampa is a private, four-year institution for liberal arts.
Armwood High School is an above average, public school.
The University of South Florida sprawling campus near New Tampa South.
The University of Tampa is only a few minutes from Hyde Park & is a great college to attend.
Students of Mitchell Elementary School live in the Gray Gables community of Tampa.
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A city that celebrates pirates, carnivals and football
Celebrated since 1904, Gasparilla, named for the 18th-century pirate who sailed around southwest Florida, takes place from January to March and draws over 400,000 attendees. Festivities include a rodeo, parade, fireworks, live music and Gasparilla Pirate Fest, a brigade of hundreds of boats rolling into the Tampa Convention Center. The 12-day Florida State Fair attracts more than 500,000 people each February with a circus, a competitive-eating series and the county's largest midway. The MacDill Air Fest, held every April, is one of the largest military air shows in the country. Halloween and Latin culture combine in October for Guavaween, a street celebration in Ybor City. Formerly known as the Outback Bowl, the ReliaQuest Bowl is a yearly college football game held in December at Raymond James Stadium. The New Year's Day event, featuring teams from the SEC and Big Ten Conference, has a $1.2 billion impact on the Tampa Bay area.
The 2024 Gasparilla parade brought over 500,00 spectators.
Some walk and some run but all have fun at the Gasparilla races in Tampa.
Visitors can learn to make lanterns and then join in the fun at Tampa Riverfest.
The Cigar Festival has cigars to purchase from local vendors.
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Getting around Tampa and beyond
Interstates 275 and 4 cut through Tampa, intersecting downtown, while I-75 runs along the city's eastern edge through Hillsborough County. There are two tolled freeways: the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, often used by commuters to and from MacDill Air Force Base, and the Veterans Expressway, which runs north and south through the city. Three bridges link Tampa to Pinellas County. Highways 92 and 41 serve as main city thoroughfares. Tampa International Airport is about 6 miles from the city center. St. Petersburg is approximately 25 miles from downtown, and Orlando is about an 85-mile drive northeast. Tampa's rail service is located at Tampa Union Station, near downtown, and offers connections to Miami, southwest Florida and Orlando. Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority provides 30 local and express bus routes. It also operates the MetroRapid bus system between downtown and USF.
Tampa weather and crime
Tampa experiences a humid subtropical climate with mild winters. The Bay area is sometimes called the "Lightning Capital of North America" for its frequent thunderstorms. Hurricane season runs from June through November, and tropical storms usually threaten Tampa annually. Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024 caused significant damage to the region, but the city itself was largely spared.
According to the Tampa Police Department's 2023 Annual Report, violent crime was down 8% from 2022, and total crime was also down nearly 7% for the same period. A 2023 report by the Major Cities Chiefs Association revealed that Tampa had the second-lowest rate of violent crime per capita in 2022 compared with cities with similar populations, with just over 500 crimes per 100,000 people.
Jared Rutherford is the father to 4 world changers, Brayden, Jackson, Landon and Addison. In all things, he strives to be a follower of Jesus, especially in his service to the community. His path of service began at age 19 as a firefighter for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. Jared has successfully developed and led multiple businesses including the real estate team, title company and a portfolio of investment properties and vacation rentals. As The Rutherford Group CEO, Jared functions as a visionary and broker. His knowledge of real estate pans 20 years of active practice to include mortgages and title insurance. Jared has sold almost $300 million dollars in real estate and is in the top 1% of real estate agents in the nation. Additionally, he loves to positively impact lives around the world through being a business leader for Convoy of Hope. He enjoys traveling, University of Michigan sports (Go Blue!), golfing, fishing and the beach. His short list of favorites include Christmas, sushi and watches!
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
