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The community of University, Florida, is a perfect example of a place whose entire identity—its name, its economy, its culture, and its energy—is derived from a single, massive institution. From my location in the more traditional suburbs of Citrus Park, I see University not as a typical town, but as a dynamic, ever-changing ecosystem built around the powerhouse that is the University of South Florida.

Zip Codes: 33612, 33613

Latitude, Longitude: 29.6465° N, 82.3533° W

The Birth of a University Town 🎓

Prior to the 1950s, the land that is now the University community was a vast, remote tract of pine forests and cattle pastures, located miles north of Tampa’s urban core. Its story begins in 1956 with the founding of the University of South Florida (USF), the first independent state university to be planned and built entirely in the 20th century.

The creation of the USF campus on this empty land was the “big bang” that created the community. As the university was built and began holding classes in the late 1950s, a new town grew up around it to house its students, faculty, and staff. The name of this new community is as straightforward as it gets: the Census Bureau designated the area as the “University” Census-Designated Place, named directly for the University of South Florida that serves as its heart.

A Hub of Academia, Medicine, and Innovation 🧠

Today, the University community is a bustling, high-energy hub. Its character is defined by a youthful and transient population, with streets lined with sprawling student apartment complexes, quick-service restaurants, and businesses that cater to the academic calendar.

However, the area is much more than just a “college town.” It is one of the most important centers for medicine and research in the entire state. This is thanks to the presence of the massive USF Health campus, the world-renowned Moffitt Cancer Center, and the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, one of the busiest VA medical centers in the nation. This powerful concentration of academic and medical institutions makes the area a major employment center and a hub of innovation.

It is, of course, a large unincorporated CDP, governed by Hillsborough County, and it sits at a critical juncture between the City of Tampa to its south and west and the City of Temple Terrace to its east.

University by the Numbers 📊

The demographic data for the University CDP is heavily skewed by its massive student population, making it one of the most unique statistical profiles in Florida.

• Official Designation: Census-Designated Place (CDP)
• County: Hillsborough
• Established: Developed alongside the University of South Florida starting in the late 1950s.
• Named For: The University of South Florida.
• Population: Approximately 48,000 residents.
• Area: About 6.8 square miles.
• Median Age: Roughly 24 years old, one of the youngest in the state, due to the student population.
• Racial & Ethnic Composition: An extremely diverse community reflecting its international student body and surrounding neighborhoods:
  • White (non-Hispanic): ~38%
  • Hispanic or Latino: ~27%
  • Black or African American: ~24%
  • Asian: ~7%
• Median Household Income: Approximately $38,000, a figure significantly lowered by the large number of students with little or no income.

Landmarks and Area Institutions 🏥

The most important places in the University community are the world-class institutions that define its landscape.

• The University of South Florida (USF): The namesake and the undeniable heart of the community. This major public research university, with its tens of thousands of students, is the economic and cultural engine for the entire region.
• Moffitt Cancer Center: A world-renowned cancer research and treatment facility. Located on the USF campus, Moffitt is a National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a massive employer of highly skilled medical professionals.
• Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: This world-famous, Africa-themed amusement park, known for its thrilling roller coasters and incredible zoo, is located immediately adjacent to the University community and is a major employer of local residents and USF students.
• James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital: One of the largest and busiest VA hospitals in the United States. This sprawling medical campus, located directly across from USF, serves veterans from all over Central Florida.
• Yuengling Brewery: The Tampa home of America’s oldest brewery. Located right in the heart of the University/Temple Terrace area, the brewery offers free tours and tastings, making it a unique and popular local landmark.