New Tampa is an area in Florida that encompasses both a 24 square mile area within the corporate limits of the City of Tampa, as well as a larger land area that is in unincorporated Hillsborough and Pasco Counties, but retains a Tampa mailing address. The incorporated portion of "New Tampa" that lies within the city limits of Tampa is one of the largest city neighborhoods. The area has grown rapidly since being annexed by the city of Tampa in 1988. As of the 2000 census, the district had a population of 22,466. Many new master planned residential communities are planned or already under construction. Big-box stores are following the boom in population and are transforming this once rural area.Description

New Tampa is bounded by Lutz to the west, Wesley Chapel to the north, Morris Bridge Road (near Thonotosassa) to the east, and the University community and the University of South Florida to the south.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 22,466 residing in the district. 14,891 families, and 15,447 households. The population density is 936/mi². There are 11,143 housing units at an average density of 464.3/mi². The racial makeup of the district is 80.77% White, 6.13% Black, 0.51% Native American, 7.46% Asian, less than 0.01% Pacific Islander, 2.98% from some other race. 8.82% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

NOTE: The demographic numbers excludes Pebble Creek, which is in unincorporated Hillsborough County.

Population explosion and building explosion

New Tampa has seen extraordinary growth in the past few years. The population rose from 7,145 residents in 1990 to 26,634 in 2000, an increase of 19,489 or 272.7%. The population is now estimated at 37,350 as of 2005. New Tampa is accounting for 52% of Tampa's citywide growth and is expected to continue. Housing units increased by 850 between 2004 and 2005 to a total of 15,340 and many new subdivision are being built which is causing the extraordinary growth.

History

Although settled in the mid-1800s, New Tampa remained undeveloped until the late-1980s, when the city of Tampa annexed the 24-square mile area. Its oldest neighborhood, Tampa Palms, although originally developed when the area was still unincorporated, did not thrive until the district boom of the 1990s. Most of the city's growth in the 1990s occurred in this district.