Tampa is a city on Tampa Bay, along Florida’s Gulf Coast. A major business center, it’s also known for its museums and other cultural offerings. Busch Gardens is an African-themed amusement park with thrill rides and animal-viewing areas. The historic Ybor City neighborhood, developed by Cuban and Spanish cigar-factory workers at the turn of the 20th century, is a dining and nightlife destination. 

Population: 414,547 (2024)

Sales tax: 7.5%

Area codes: 813, 656

Demonym(s): Tampan, Tampanian, Tampeño

Elevation: 48 ft (14.6 m)

Incorporated (City of Tampa): December 15, 1855 and; July 15, 1887

Incorporated (Town of Tampa): September 10, 1853 and; August 11, 1873

Zip Codes:

33601, 33602, 33603, 33604, 33605, 33606, 33607, 33608, 33609, 33610, 33611, 33612, 33613, 33614, 33615, 33616, 33617, 33618, 33619, 33620, 33621, 33622, 33623, 33624, 33625, 33626, 33629, 33630, 33631, 33634, 33635, 33637, 33647, 33672, 33673, 33674, 33675, 33677, 33679, 33680, 33681, 33682, 33684, 33685, 33686, 33687, 33688, 33689, 33690, 33694, 33697

Latitude, Longitude: 27.9517° N, 82.4588° W

The Story of “Tampa Town” ⚔️

The name Tampa itself is a fascinating link to the region’s original inhabitants. It’s believed to be a corruption of the word “Tanpa” from the language of the Calusa tribe, which translates to “sticks of fire.” This is most likely a reference to the high concentration of lightning strikes the area receives during its intense summer thunderstorms, a natural phenomenon that continues to define our summer afternoons.

Modern Tampa’s origins trace back to 1824 with the establishment of Fort Brooke, a U.S. Army outpost built where the Hillsborough River flows into the bay. A small civilian settlement, “Tampa Town,” grew around its perimeter. The community was first incorporated as the Village of Tampa in 1849, officially becoming a city in 1855.

However, the city’s trajectory was truly set by two monumental developments in the late 19th century. First, railroad magnate Henry B. Plant extended his railway line to the city in 1884, breaking its isolation and opening it up to trade and tourism. Second, just a year later, cigar manufacturer Vincente Martinez Ybor moved his operations from Key West to a patch of scrubland just northeast of Tampa, founding Ybor City.

This move brought thousands of Spanish, Cuban, and Italian immigrants to the area, creating a vibrant, multicultural community that earned Tampa the nickname “Cigar City.”

Tampa Today: A Dynamic Urban Core 🏙️

Today, Tampa is a bustling metropolis and the largest city in the Tampa Bay area. It’s the central hub for a vast region of suburbs, including Citrus Park, Carrollwood, Brandon, and New Tampa. The city is a major center for finance, healthcare, technology, and national defense, anchored by the massive MacDill Air Force Base.

Its port, Port Tampa Bay, is one of the largest and most diversified in the United States, handling an immense volume of cargo and serving as a homeport for major cruise lines.

One of the most transformative projects in recent memory is the Tampa Riverwalk. This 2.6-mile pedestrian path connects the downtown waterfront, linking parks, museums, restaurants, and venues like Amalie Arena. It has fundamentally reoriented the city’s focus back to its beautiful waterfront, creating a vibrant core for residents and visitors alike.

Tampa by the Numbers 📊

Here are the key demographic figures that paint a picture of the city proper:

• Official Designation: Incorporated City and County Seat of Hillsborough County.
• Incorporated: 1855 (current charter).
• Population: Approximately 398,000 residents in the city proper, with a metropolitan area population exceeding 3.2 million.
• Median Age: Around 36 years old, reflecting a dynamic workforce and vibrant urban population.
• Racial & Ethnic Composition: Tampa is a multicultural city:
  • White (non-Hispanic): ~44%
  • Hispanic or Latino: ~27%
  • Black or African American: ~22%
  • Asian: ~5%
• Median Household Income: Approximately $70,000.

Landmarks and Local Gems 🍽️

Tampa is packed with iconic institutions, from historic restaurants to modern entertainment hubs.

• Columbia Restaurant: Located in the heart of Ybor City, this is Florida’s oldest restaurant, founded in 1905. It’s a culinary landmark famous for its Spanish-Cuban cuisine and nightly flamenco shows.
• The Florida Aquarium: A nationally ranked aquarium in the Channel District, showcasing thousands of aquatic animals and plants from Florida and around the world.
• Armature Works: A stunning example of urban renewal. This restored 1910 streetcar warehouse is now a bustling food hall with multiple restaurants, bars, and event spaces right on the Hillsborough River.
• Tampa Theatre: A breathtakingly beautiful 1926 movie palace in the heart of downtown. More than just a cinema, it’s a community landmark offering films, concerts, and tours beneath a stunning ceiling that mimics a starry night sky.
• Bern’s Steak House: A world-renowned culinary destination in South Tampa. It’s famous for its perfectly aged steaks, farm-to-table vegetables, and one of the largest and most impressive private wine collections on the planet.
• Amalie Arena: The home of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning and the city’s premier venue for major concerts, sports, and events, located directly on the waterfront.