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Palm River-Clair Mel is one of Hillsborough County’s most important legacy suburbs, a place that tells the story of Tampa’s post-World War II boom. I see Palm River-Clair Mel as a foundational community—a hardworking, diverse, and centrally located area that was the original American dream for a generation of Tampa’s working families.

Zip Codes: 33578, 33619

Latitude, Longitude: 27.9192° N, 82.3832° W

A Tale of Two Post-War Suburbs 🏡

The first thing to understand about Palm River-Clair Mel is that its hyphenated name is a modern Census Bureau creation, not a historic town name. It expertly combines the names of two distinct, massive suburban developments from the 1950s that grew so large they eventually merged into one continuous community.

The “Palm River” portion is named for the Palm River, a brackish estuary that winds through the area and empties into McKay Bay. The original Palm River Estates was one of the first subdivisions built along its shores in the 1950s.

The “Clair-Mel” part has a classic developer’s story. It was the name given to Clair-Mel City, another huge development of affordable, concrete-block homes built in the late 1950s. The developer, General Development Corporation, named the community after his two daughters, Claire and Melanie. This charming piece of local history is at the heart of the community’s identity. Together, these two developments provided thousands of starter homes for veterans and working-class families who were fueling Tampa’s growth.

A Hardworking and Central Community 🛠️

Today, Palm River-Clair Mel is a bustling, densely populated, and incredibly diverse unincorporated community. Its character is defined by its working-class roots and its unbeatable location. The housing is a mix of the original, modest mid-century homes, apartment complexes, and mobile home parks.

Its strategic position just southeast of downtown Tampa and immediately adjacent to Port Tampa Bay has always been its greatest asset. For decades, it has been the primary residential area for the thousands of workers who power the port, the shipyards, and the nearby industrial districts. The Lee Roy Selmon Expressway, which forms the community’s northern border, acts as a direct artery, connecting residents to downtown and other major employment centers. Like the vast majority of suburban Hillsborough, it is an unincorporated CDP, with all government services provided by the county.

Palm River-Clair Mel by the Numbers 📊

The demographic data for Palm River-Clair Mel reflects its status as a diverse, working-class hub.

• Official Designation: Census-Designated Place (CDP)
• County: Hillsborough
• Established: A modern CDP designation for communities primarily developed in the 1950s.
• Named For: A combination of the Palm River and the developer’s daughters, Claire and Melanie.
• Population: Approximately 26,000 residents.
• Area: About 12 square miles.
• Median Age: Roughly 36 years old.
• Racial & Ethnic Composition: An extremely diverse community:
  • Hispanic or Latino: ~46%
  • Black or African American: ~27%
  • White (non-Hispanic): ~21%
• Median Household Income: Approximately $51,000.

Landmarks and Local Hubs 🚚

The most significant places in and around Palm River-Clair Mel are tied to its industrial roots, its diverse population, and its strategic retail location.

• Port Tampa Bay: The dominant economic engine of the region and the primary employer for many of the community’s residents. The port is Florida’s largest by tonnage and is a massive hub for cargo, cruise ships, and shipbuilding.
• DeSoto Park: A beautiful and historic 280-acre Hillsborough County park located right in the community. Situated on the shores of McKay Bay, it offers a public boat ramp, fishing piers, and playgrounds, serving as a vital green space.
• IKEA: The only IKEA location on the west coast of Florida is situated right on the edge of Palm River-Clair Mel. It’s a massive retail anchor and a destination for shoppers from all over the region.
• The Tampa Shrimp Docks: Located along the Palm River and Causeway Boulevard, this area is the authentic heart of Tampa’s commercial shrimping industry. It represents the hardworking, blue-collar, and waterfront character of the community.
• Lee Roy Selmon Expressway: More than just a highway, this elevated toll road is a critical piece of infrastructure that defines the community’s northern border and provides its residents with unparalleled access to downtown Tampa and Brandon.