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Tampa Bay Guide
 
Tampa
Welcome to Tampa the city that offers lots of sunshine, calm waters, blue skies, historic landmarks, skyscrapers, and great sunsets. Tampa is a vibrant city that caters to all walks of life from the active lifestyle to resort style living to raising a family to young professionals. Tampa has so much to offer that there is always something for everyone, no matter who you are. You will be engulf with the abundance of fine dinning, well manicured parks, broadway shows, major sport venues, city lights, vibrant night life, upscale clubs, world class art destination, PGA golf, channel side entertainment district, trendy shops, etc... Only a big city can deliver this type of exciting urban lifestyle to your doorsteps. Tampa's real estate is a good investment because of the limited land space and population growth. Now is the right time to buy that single family house, high-rise condos, waterfront homes, townhomes, investment properties, etc... while prices are down and before the other buyers get back into the market. When all the inventory properties start to level off than prices should bounce back sharply. The weak dollar is also attracting lots of foreign investors to Florida's waterfront real estate market because the prices are still cheaper here than prices in other major waterfront cities across the United States and this is a popular tourist destination. A city with so much to offer also give you a Realtor with so much to offer. Fred Hintenberger is your preferred Tampa real estate specialist who has earned major achievements, comes highly recommended, real world experience, well educated, very knowledgeable of the local and current real estate trends. You can't go wrong when selecting a real estate agent who is in the top 1% of real estate agents in the nation. Fred Hintenberger, P.A. and associates will take you beyond full service and exceed your expectations!
Tampa, Florida has an enormous variety of attractions and perks for the people who live in and around the city. Waterside cafes, Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, Channelside shopping, and the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, Devil Rays, and Lightning are just few of the biggest attractions. Then there’s Ybor City, where visitors can find hand-rolled cigars and Cuban sandwiches. And don’t forget the ocean and the white sand beaches, which offer people the chance to participate in jet skiing, parasailing, sport fishing, and boating. Every year, the Gasparilla Pirate Festival draws a huge crowd of rowdy swashbucklers. The city has a population of around 372,000, which makes it the third largest city in Florida.
Tampa Culture
Tampa is a very multi-cultural city and has a Hispanic population that exerts major influence in the area. 10% of the population are Latino, and the area was named one of the five most diverse, integrated urban areas in the United State by the Census Bureau. There are a number of museums to visit in and around Tampa, including the Pioneer Florida Museum, the St. Petersburg Museum of History, the gulf Coast World of Science, the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins, the Boatyard Village, the Salvador Dali Museum, and the Children’s Museum of Tampa. Live theater can be seen at the Friday Morning Musicale in Hyde Park, Gorilla Theater in Drew Park, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, and Tampa Theater. The city also has a number of art galleries of interest, such as the African Art Gallery, Artists Unlimited, the Centre Gallery, the Covivant Gallery, and Graphicstudio.
Tampa Sports and Leisure
Tampa has a lot to offer in the way of sports, with four major professional teams. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays play in Major League Baseball across the bay in St. Petersburg. The Tampa Bay Bucaneers play in the National Football League (NFL) while the Tampa Bay Lightning are part of the National Hockey League (NHL). And the Tampa Bay Storm play in the lesser-known Arena Football League. Spring training in Major League Baseball brings many teams to the area, including the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, the New York Yankees, the Philadelphia Phillies, and the Toronto Blue Jays. Minor league baseball also has a Tampa team called the Yankees.
Tampa Outdoors
The weather in Tampa Bay is typically characterized by bright sunny days and calm breezes, with the average annual temperature hovering around 72 degrees. It is a good idea to put on sunscreen when participating in any outdoor activities in the area. The area has a variety of natural beaches, lakes, and rivers that create opportunities for snorkeling, diving, sailing, fresh or saltwater fishing, kayaking, cruising or sunbathing. The area has dozens of golf courses, and many championship events are hosted here, including the Champions Tour Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.
Tampa at Night
Tampa Bay is known for its nightlife scene and the variety that it offers. Any night of the week there will be music in bars such as rock, reggae, blues, country, punk, salsa, and jazz. There are a few trendy spots with nightclub scenes tailored to sophisticated partygoers, such as Channelside and International Plaza’s Bay Street. The SoHo district offers the chance to mix and mingle with friends, while Ybor City is widely known as the place to be at night.
Nearby Cities and Towns
| Location |
Pop. |
Median Family
Income (2000) |
| Tampa |
303,447 |
$40,517 |
| Brandon |
77,895 |
$56,931 |
| Oldsmar |
11,910 |
$53,142 |
| Pinellas Park |
45,658 |
$41,072 |
| Safety Harbor |
17,203 |
$59,911 |
| St Petersburg |
248,232 |
$43,198 |
| Temple Terrace |
20,918 |
$56,809 |
Info for Tampa Government Officials
Are you an official in the Tampa government or quasi-government agency such as the chamber of commerce, visitors bureau or economic development council? If so, visit our information page for government officials to see how CityTownInfo can support Tampa.
by Political Party
| Party |
Contributions |
| Republican |
$1,964,095 |
| Democratic |
$1,861,779 |
| Libertarian |
$2,900 |
| Independent |
$2,700 |
| Conservativestitutional |
$200 |
Estimated Tampa Population Growth 2000-2005
| Category |
Value |
| Est. 2005 Population |
325,989 |
| Growth |
22,542 |
| Growth % |
7.4% |
Tampa Population (2000)
| Category |
Count |
Percent |
| Total Population |
303,447 |
100% |
| Male |
148,050 |
48.8% |
| Female |
155,397 |
51.2% |
| Under 18 |
74,766 |
24.6% |
| 18+ |
228,681 |
75.4% |
| 65+ |
37,953 |
12.5% |
| Median Age |
34.7 |
|
| Average Family Size |
3.07 |
|
| White |
194,871 |
64.2% |
| African-American |
79,118 |
26.1% |
| Asian |
6,527 |
2.2% |
| American Indian & Alaskan |
1,155 |
0.4% |
| Other |
12,646 |
4.2% |
| Mixed Race |
8,849 |
2.9% |
| Hispanic (included in categories above) |
58,522 |
19.3% |
| Median Family Income (1999) |
$40,517 |
|
| Population In Poverty |
53,425 |
18.1% |
Tampa Ancestry
(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)
Note: This is national, not racial, ancestry, so the Census doesn't have categories for Hispanic and African-American, e.g. CityTownInfo is currently gathering additional ancestry data for this site.
| Ancestry |
Percent |
| Other (often includes Hispanic and African American) |
48.8% |
| German |
7.7% |
| US/American |
7.7% |
| English |
6.7% |
| Irish |
6.7% |
| Italian |
5.6% |
| French (except Basque) |
1.7% |
| Scottish |
1.5% |
| Scotch-Irish |
1.4% |
| Polish |
1.3% |
| African |
0.9% |
| European |
0.8% |
| Russian |
0.7% |
| Dutch |
0.7% |
| Swedish |
0.7% |
| Haitian |
0.6% |
| French Canadian |
0.6% |
| Jamaican |
0.6% |
| British |
0.5% |
| Norwegian |
0.5% |
| Greek |
0.3% |
| Welsh |
0.3% |
| Hungarian |
0.3% |
| Czech |
0.2% |
| Portuguese |
0.2% |
| West Indian |
0.2% |
| Ukrainian |
0.2% |
| Swiss |
0.2% |
Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names
According to the US Postal Service, Tampa, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as: Carrollwood (33618, 33625, 33688), Clair Mel City (33619), Clair Mel (33619), Northdale (33624, 33626), Palma Ceia (33629, 33690), Tampa Palms (33647), Temple Ter (33617, 33637, 33687), Ybor City (33605, 33675)
Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.
Tampa Almanac
| Category |
Value |
| County |
Hillsborough |
| Metro Area |
Tampa - Saint Petersburg - Clearwater |
| Standard Zip Codes |
33602, 33603, 33604, 33605, 33606, 33607, 33609, 33610, 33611, 33612, 33613, 33614, 33615, 33616, 33617, 33618, 33619, 33620, 33621, 33624, 33625, 33626, 33629, 33634, 33635, 33637, 33647 |
| P.O. Box Zip Codes |
33601, 33608, 33622, 33623, 33630, 33631, 33672, 33673, 33674, 33675, 33677, 33679, 33680, 33681, 33682, 33684, 33685, 33686, 33687, 33688, 33689, 33690, 33694, 33697 |
| Company Zip Codes |
33633, 33650, 33651, 33655, 33660, 33661, 33662, 33663, 33664 |
| Phone Area Codes |
813 |
| Time Zone |
Eastern (-5 hours from GMT) |
| Daylight Savings |
The city observes Daylight Saving Time. |
| Latitude |
27.947 |
| Longitude |
-82.458 |
Tampa Climate
Nearest Weather Stations
Notes:
- Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
- Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)
| Station |
TAMPA INTL AP |
| Distance |
4.8 miles |
| Jan Temp |
52 to 70 F |
| Apr Temp |
62 to 81 F |
| Jul Temp |
75 to 90 F |
| Oct Temp |
68 to 84 F |
| Annual Precip |
44.7 inches |
| Station |
TARPON SPRINGS SWG PLNT |
| Distance |
22.7 miles |
| Jan Temp |
50 to 72 F |
| Apr Temp |
61 to 81 F |
| Jul Temp |
74 to 91 F |
| Oct Temp |
65 to 85 F |
| Annual Precip |
52.4 inches |
| Station |
PARRISH |
| Distance |
23.8 miles |
| Jan Temp |
49 to 72 F |
| Apr Temp |
59 to 81 F |
| Jul Temp |
72 to 90 F |
| Oct Temp |
65 to 85 F |
| Annual Precip |
52 inches |
Tampa Public Libraries
| Library |
Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperativ
900 North Ashley Drive
Tampa, Florida
(813) 273-3652
Library Web Site |
Cityscape
Luxury condos are rising in the former warehouse district of Channelside, downtown Tampa
-
- See also: Neighborhoods in Tampa, Florida
Current Tampa mayor Pam Iorio has made the redevelopment of Tampa's downtown, especially bringing in residents to the decidedly non-residential area, a priority.[32] Several residential and mixed-development high-rises are in various stages of planning or construction, and a few have already opened. Another of Mayor Iorio's initiatives is the Tampa Riverwalk, a plan which intends to make better use of the land along the Hillsborough River in downtown where Tampa began. Several museums are part of the plan, including new homes for the Tampa Bay History Center, the Tampa Children's Museum, and a the Tampa Museum of Art. [33]
The city is divided into many neighborhoods, many of which were towns and unincorporated communities that were annexed by the growing city. Generally, the city is divided into the following areas: Downtown Tampa, New Tampa, West Tampa, East Tampa, North Tampa, and South Tampa.
Some well-known communities of Tampa include Ybor City, Forest Hills, Sulphur Springs, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Palma Ceia, Hyde Park, Tampa Palms, College Hill and non-residential areas of Gary and the Westshore Business District
Landmarks
Tampa Theatre, a major landmark in Tampa.
Tampa is also known for its significant landmarks. The Sulphur Springs Water Tower, a landmark in Sulphur Springs section of the city dates back to the late 1920s. Also during this time period was the construction of Bayshore Boulevard, which parallel Hillsborough Bay from Downtown Tampa to areas in South Tampa. The road has a 4.5-mile continuous sidewalk on the eastern end, the longest in the world.[34] Babe Zaharias Golf Course in the Forest Hills area of Tampa has been designated a Historical Landmark by the National Register of Historic Places. It was bought in 1949 by the famous 'Babe' who had a residence nearby and closed at her death. In 1974, the City of Tampa opened the golf course to the public [35]
The Story of Tampa, a public painting by Lynn Ash, is a 4' x 8' oil on masonite mural that weaves together many of the notable aspects of Tampa's unique character and identity. It was commissioned in 2003 by the City of Tampa's Public Art Program and can be found in the lobby of the Tampa Municipal Office Building.[36]
Park Tower (originally the First Financial Bank of Florida), the first substantial skyscraper in Downtown Tampa. Completed in 1973, it was the tallest skyscraper in Tampa until the completion of One Tampa City Center in 1981.[37]
Future landmarks include The Tampa Riverwalk, a proposed continuous pedestrian walkway along the eastern end of the Hillsborough River. The sidewalk will extend from the Channelside district to Tampa Heights.[38] The schedule time for completion is around 2010.[39].
Other landmarks within the city include theTampa Theatre, Museum of Science and Industry (which include the IMAX dome theater), Fun-Lan Drive-In (drive-in theater), and Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.
Downtown Tampa boasts a number of landmark high rises, including the Suntrust Building, Sykes Building, SkyPoint Condominium, Towers of Channelside, and the Bank of America Building.
South of Tampa, spanning the southern part of Tampa Bay, is the region's most endearing landmark. In much the same way that San Francisco is recognizable world-wide because of its Golden Gate Bridge, the Tampa Bay area holds its massive steel-span Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the same regard.
Culture
Nighttime hot spots include the SoHo District, Channelside, and Ybor City.
Some well-known shopping areas are the International Plaza and Bay Street, WestShore Plaza, Westfield Brandon, Westfield Citrus Park and Hyde Park Village.
Events held annually in Tampa include the Outback Bowl (every New Year's Day), the Gasparilla Pirate Festival (every February), the Sant'Yago Knight Parade (usually 1 week after the day parade during the Pirate Festival), the Florida State Fair (mid-February), and Guavaween (every October near Halloween).
Phosphate, Railroads, and Cigars: Tampa Finally Prospers
Then, out of the blue, Tampa's fortunes took several sudden turns for the better. First, phosphate was discovered in the Bone Valley region southeast of Tampa in 1883. The mineral, which is vital for the production of fertilizers and other products, was soon being shipped out from the Port of Tampa in ever increasing volume. Tampa is still one of the world's leading phosphate exporters.
Henry B. Plant's railroad line reached Tampa and its port shortly thereafter, connecting the small town to the country's railroad system. Tampa finally had the overland transportation link that had been so sorely lacking. The railroad enabled phosphate and commercial fishing exports to go north [18], brought many new products into the Tampa market, and started the first real tourist industry: visitors coming in modest numbers to Henry Plant's first Tampa-area resort built literally on Tampa Bay on stilts. (This was not the still-standing Tampa Bay Hotel, which came a few years later).
The new railroad link enabled another important industry to come to Tampa. In 1885, the Tampa Board of Trade helped broker a land deal with Vicente Martinez Ybor to move his cigar manufacturing operations to Tampa from Key West. Close proximity to Cuba made imports of tobacco easy by sea, and Plant's railroad made shipment of finished cigars to the rest of the US market easy by land.
Since Tampa was still a small town at the time (population less than 5000), Ybor built hundreds of small houses around his factory to accommodate the immediate influx of mainly Cuban and Spanish cigar workers. Other cigar factories soon moved in, and Ybor City (as the 40-odd acre settlement was dubbed) quickly made Tampa a major cigar production center. To round out the town's population, many Italian and a few eastern European Jewish immigrants also arrived starting in the late 1880s, mainly operating businesses and shops that catered to the cigar workers. The majority of Italian immigrants came from Alessandria Della Rocca and Santo Stefano Quisquina, two small Sicilian towns with which Tampa still maintains strong ties.
Franklin Street, looking North, Tampa c. 1910s-1920s
In 1891, Henry B. Plant built a lavish 500+ room, quarter-mile long luxury resort hotel called the Tampa Bay Hotel among 150 acres of manicured gardens along the banks Hillsborough River. The eclectic structure cost $2.5 million to build, a huge sum in those days. Plant filled his expensive playground with exotic art collectables from around the world and installed electric lights and the first elevator in town.
The resort did great business for a few years, especially during the Spanish-American War (see below). But with Plant's death in 1899, the hotel's fortunes began to fade. It closed in 1930. In 1933, however, the stately building reopened as the University of Tampa.
Mainly because of Henry Plant's connections in the War Department, Tampa was chosen as an embarkation center for American troops in the Spanish-American War. Lieutenant Colonel Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders were among the 30,000 troops who waited in Tampa for the order to ship out to Cuba during the summer of 1898, filling the town to bursting [19]. Those months, while unpleasant for the troops wearing thick wool uniforms in the oppressive Florida heat, were a great boon to Tampa's growing economy. It was also the only time when Plant's Tampa Bay Hotel was full to capacity.
The founding of Ybor City, the building of Plant's railroad and hotels, and the discovery of phosphate - all within a dozen years in the late 1800s - were crucial to Tampa's development. The town suddenly expanded from sleepy backwater village to bustling town to small city. Except for temporary bumps along the way, this growth has continued unabatted.
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