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Seffner is a long-established community in eastern Hillsborough County that perfectly embodies the transition from “Old Florida” agriculture to modern suburbia. From my location in the northwest part of the county, I see Seffner as a quiet, tree-filled enclave, a historic railroad town that has gracefully evolved into a peaceful bedroom community, nestled between the commercial bustle of Brandon and the historic downtown of Plant City.

Zip Codes: 33584

Latitude, Longitude: 27.9836° N, 82.2756° W

A Railroad Stop with a Famous Name 🚂

Like many of its neighbors, Seffner’s story begins with the arrival of the South Florida Railroad in the 1880s. A small settlement sprouted around the new depot, and its first post office was established in 1884. The community was named in honor of its most influential founder, E. J. Seffner, a prominent official with the railroad company. His less-famous cousin, F. P. Seffner, served as the first postmaster.

For the better part of a century, Seffner’s identity was synonymous with one thing: citrus. The area was covered in vast, fragrant orange groves, and the town was a major growing and shipping hub. The packing houses near the railroad tracks were the economic heart of the community. However, this all changed with the catastrophic freezes of the 1980s, which devastated the citrus industry across Central Florida. This event was a major turning point for Seffner, accelerating its transition from a rural farming town into the quiet, residential suburb it is today.

A Quiet Place Between Two Giants 🌳

Modern Seffner is defined by its peaceful character and its beautiful, mature landscape. It’s renowned for its incredible canopy of grand oak trees, which give the community a more established, “Old Florida” feel compared to the newer, more sprawling developments in the region. The housing is a mix of older homes on large lots, mid-century subdivisions, and some newer construction.

Seffner lacks the massive commercial corridors of Brandon or a distinct town center of its own, which is a key part of its appeal for many residents. It serves as a quiet residential oasis between two much larger and busier neighbors. It is, of course, an unincorporated Census-Designated Place (CDP), with all government services provided by Hillsborough County. While it’s a quiet community, it is home to one of the most recognizable and massive businesses in the entire state: the Lazydays RV supercenter.

Seffner by the Numbers 📊

The demographic data for Seffner reflects its status as a small, diverse, and established bedroom community.

• Official Designation: Census-Designated Place (CDP)
• County: Hillsborough
• Established: Post office established in 1884.
• Named For: Influential founder and railroad official E. J. Seffner.
• Population: Approximately 8,500 residents.
• Area: About 3.8 square miles.
• Median Age: Roughly 41 years old.
• Racial & Ethnic Composition: A diverse middle-class community:
  • White (non-Hispanic): ~51%
  • Hispanic or Latino: ~24%
  • Black or African American: ~19%
• Median Household Income: Approximately $70,000.

Landmarks and Local Favorites RV

The most interesting places in and around Seffner reflect its unique character as a quiet town with a major national destination in its backyard.

• Lazydays RV: The most famous landmark in Seffner. This is one of the largest and most well-known RV dealerships in the world, featuring a massive sales lot, a huge service center, and an on-site campground. It’s a major destination for travelers from across North America.
• Armwood High School: A major community hub and a source of immense local pride. The school is nationally famous for its powerhouse “Hawks” football program, which has produced numerous collegiate and NFL players.
• Lake Hooker: One of the larger lakes in the Seffner area, representing the beautiful, natural “Old Florida” landscape of lakes and cypress trees that still defines much of the community’s scenery.
• Seffner-Mango Branch Library: A vital modern resource for the community, this Hillsborough County public library serves the residents of both Seffner and its neighbor, Mango, providing access to books, technology, and community programs.
• O’Brien’s Irish Pub & Grill – Brandon: Located in neighboring Brandon but a beloved institution for the entire Seffner-Brandon-Valrico area, O’Brien’s is a long-standing, family-friendly pub that serves as a major social gathering spot for the region.