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FUN FACTS · TAMPA, FLORIDA

Fun facts about Tampa, Florida

Tampa covers 114.487 square miles of land and 63.575 square miles of water, according to the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer, and the City of Tampa's history begins with Fort Brooke, an Army post established in 1824.[2][1] Here are twelve facts about Tampa, each checked against a public source, each with a practical note for a business or property owner.

Last updated · Published by Makayla Richardson, Commercial Real Estate Advisor

1. Fort Brooke was established in 1824

In 1824 "four companies of the U.S. Army established Fort Brooke to protect the strategic harbor," according to the City of Tampa.[1]

Why it matters: If you use Tampa's history in your marketing, stick to what the record documents.

2. Hillsborough County dates to 1834

"On Jan. 25, 1834, the U.S. Legislative Council for the Territory of Florida approved an act organizing Hillsborough" County, according to the county.[4]

Why it matters: If you are buying, ask which county and city offices hold the records and permits for your property.

3. Port Tampa Bay calls itself Florida's largest port

In its own words, "Port Tampa Bay isn't just Florida's largest port by tonnage, it's also the biggest by land," handling "33 million tons of cargo per year" on "5,000 acres," with "more than 1,000 acres of industrially zoned property featuring deepwater access."[5]

Why it matters: If you are looking for industrial or logistics space, ask how close a site is to the port and its truck routes.

4. Port Tampa Bay calls itself Florida's largest steel port

"Port Tampa Bay proudly holds the title of Florida's largest steel port," the port says.[5]

Why it matters: If your business moves heavy materials, the port is a neighbor worth knowing.

5. Tampa's first municipal airport was dedicated in 1928

Tampa International Airport says its first site was "dedicated as Tampa's municipal airport on February 22, 1928."[6] In calendar year 2025 it handled 24,811,007 passengers.[7]

Why it matters: If your clients fly in, compare drive times from the airport when you choose an office.

6. Ybor City was the Cigar Capital of the World

The National Park Service says Ybor City was "once known as the 'Cigar Capital of the World,'" with "more than 950 historic buildings and structures built during its peak industrial years."[8]

Why it matters: If you are buying or renovating in Ybor, ask the City of Tampa what local rules apply to historic buildings.

7. Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District

"Ybor City is Tampa's National Historic Landmark District," according to the City of Tampa.[9]

Why it matters: If you are buying in a historic district, budget time to ask the City of Tampa what local rules apply.

8. The Riverwalk runs 2.4 miles

The City of Tampa describes art "All along the 2.4 miles of Riverwalk."[10]

Why it matters: If walkability matters to your customers or staff, ask how far a downtown address is from the Riverwalk.

9. Gasparilla has been celebrated annually since 1904

Organizers say Gasparilla has been "celebrated annually since 1904" and call it "the third-largest parade in the United States."[11]

Why it matters: If you run a storefront on a parade route, plan for parade days.

10. USF was founded in 1956

The University of South Florida was "Founded in 1956" and "serves nearly 50,000 students across all campuses," according to the university.[12][13]

Why it matters: If you are hiring, Tampa's universities are a talent pipeline worth asking about.

11. Plant Hall was Henry Plant's Tampa Bay Hotel

The University of Tampa says Plant Hall, "Formerly the Tampa Bay Hotel," was "Built between 1888 and 1891" and sits on "a 110-acre, 71-building campus," according to the university.[14] The National Park Service calls the Tampa Bay Hotel "A National Historic Landmark in Tampa, Florida."[15]

Why it matters: Landmarks anchor neighborhoods; ask what is nearby when you compare sites.

12. MacDill Air Force Base dates to 1939

"The base was established on 24 May 1939, with construction beginning on 6 September 1939," according to MacDill Air Force Base.[16]

Why it matters: If your business serves the military community, the base is part of Tampa's backdrop.

Thinking about a business or a building in Tampa? Start with the site and the plan.

Talk with Makayla

Questions people ask

What is Tampa, Florida known for?

Its port, which Port Tampa Bay calls Florida's largest by tonnage; Ybor City, which the National Park Service says was once known as the Cigar Capital of the World; the Gasparilla celebrations, which organizers date to 1904; and MacDill Air Force Base.

How big is Tampa, Florida?

The Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer lists Tampa at 114.487 square miles of land and 63.575 square miles of water. The Census Bureau estimated its population at 413,554 in July 2025.

When was Fort Brooke established?

The City of Tampa's history records that in 1824 the U.S. Army established Fort Brooke to protect the harbor. Hillsborough County was organized in 1834.

Sources

  1. Tampa History, City of Tampa. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  2. 2024 Gazetteer Files, Florida places, U.S. Census Bureau, 2024. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  3. City and town population estimates, Vintage 2025 (Florida), U.S. Census Bureau, July 1, 2025. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  4. Hillsborough County History, Hillsborough County. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  5. About the Port, Port Tampa Bay. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  6. A trip back in time: historic spots at TPA, Tampa International Airport, September 2, 2025. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  7. TPA Fact Sheet, Activity Report, Calendar Year 2025, Tampa International Airport, Calendar year 2025. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  8. Ybor City Historic District, National Park Service. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  9. Historic Ybor, City of Tampa. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  10. Riverwalk public art, City of Tampa. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  11. Gasparilla history, Gasparilla Pirate Fest. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  12. USF history, University of South Florida. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  13. USF facts and statistics, University of South Florida. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  14. UT history, The University of Tampa. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  15. Tampa Bay Hotel, National Park Service. Accessed October 12, 2026.
  16. MacDill AFB fact sheet (Internet Archive capture), MacDill Air Force Base. Accessed October 12, 2026.