If you’ve never heard of this cozy community, you might be wondering, where exactly is Brandon Florida? Located in the Tampa Bay Area in Hillsborough County, Florida, about 18 minutes outside of Tampa’s Downtown, you’ll find this sunny residential district. While this census-designated place doesn’t hold the title of town or city, the area is beloved by locals, and a popular destination for millennials, professionals, and families. Want to learn more about why folks love living in Brandon? Read on.
What is Brandon, FL Known For?
Brandon is a vibrant community with plenty of heart and soul, along with a long history. Before moving to the area, here are a few things you should know about Brandon:
- Despite being unincorporated, Brandon is one of the most populated areas in Hillsborough County and even has an honorary mayor.
- The community’s history began in 1858 when John Brandon purchased 28 acres of land near Fort Brooke, now known as Tampa.
- The orange packing industry played a large role in Brandon’s growth in the 20th century.
- Brandon High School’s mascot is the bald eagle.
- Brandon is home to the Hillsborough Community College.
- Brandon is also the birthplace of the popular southeastern pub chain, Beef O’Brady’s.
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The People of Brandon
In total, Brandon has a total population of over 113,000 people, a number which is growing every day. The population density in the area is about 3,300 people per square mile, dwarfing the Florida average of just 294 people per square mile. The median age here is 36 years old, but age brackets are evenly distributed, with no single age bracket holding more than 17% of the population.
While Brandon is a majority white community, nearly 18% of the local population is Black or African American. Another 24% are Hispanic, and about 5% of residents are of Asian descent. About three-quarters of residents speak English as their first language, but 17% have reported that their primary language is Spanish.
Interestingly, Brandon has a large number of residents born outside of Florida; more than 40% of locals were born in another state, and nearly 20% were born outside of the country, marking this city as a top destination for immigrants and relocating citizens alike.
Jobs in Brandon
Wondering where you might work in Brandon? The area’s local economy supports more than 56,000 people, and residents here have a median income of $59,054. Healthcare is the largest industry by employment, followed closely by retail. However, Brandon also has thriving finance and technology sectors.
Because Brandon is so close to Tampa, locals can also easily find work in the city. Tampa’s biggest employers include the BayCare Health System, the University of South Florida, and JP Morgan Chase, and the median household income for workers there is $50,489.
Brandon’s Top Schools
Families moving to Brandon will notice the area has plenty of schools to choose from when it comes to their children’s education. In addition to 11 public district schools, there are 41 private schools in the area, including 6 private high schools.
One of the most popular private schools here is Brandon Academy, which serves children from PreK through high school graduation. The Academy places an emphasis on a varied curriculum to provide students with a range of experiences. In addition to being a National Blue Ribbon School, Brandon Academy became part of the International Baccalaureate Programme in 2017.
Brandon’s Local Climate
Like most of the Sunshine State, Brandon benefits from almost tropical weather and plenty of sun. The average temperature in Brandon usually stays between 50-90 degrees and rarely dips below 37 degrees, which means you won’t have to worry about snow when you live here. Because of the community’s close proximity to the coast, the climate in Brandon tends to be humid, so hot days can feel oppressive at times. Luckily, Brandon gets about 51 inches of rain each year, which help to cool the community down.
Where to Live in Brandon | Brandon Neighborhoods
Wondering where to find the best real estate in Brandon? This community is home to over a dozen neighborhoods, each with its own unique charms. To help jumpstart your homebuying journey, here are a few local areas you’ll want to check out:
- Southwood Hills: One of the most popular and affordable neighborhoods in Brandon, this community features medium-sized homes with a median value of $192,000.
- Barrington Oaks East: Looking for a larger home? Barrington Oaks contains mostly four-bedroom houses with multicar garages. The median home price here is $439,900, making this one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Brandon.
- Lakeview Village: For families who want to experience waterfront living, Lakewood Village is a desirable option. The community borders Lake Mango, providing stunning views from any of the 915 homes in the neighborhood. Home prices range from $200,000-$360,000.
Need directions to Brandon for your home search? Check out this map.
Is Living in Brandon Expensive?
Brandon’s cost of living is on par with the Florida average, and slightly below the average for the nation across almost every category. While homes in Brandon cost less than those in nearby Tampa, Brandon apartments for rent actually costs about $300 per month more than those in the city. Despite this contrast in costs, only 54% of the population owns their homes, with the other close to half renting instead.
In Brandon, the median home value is $164,000, which is about $20,000 lower than the United States median. That being said, you can find homes here for a range of prices, including a significant number of homes priced below $100,000. Property taxes in the community are reasonable, with most residents paying less than $1,500 per year. Across both renters and homeowners, most households in Brandon have 1-2 cars.
Things to do in Brandon
Before you move to any new city, it’s important to think about where you’ll spend your leisure time. Luckily, Brandon has plenty of fun things to do and places to visit, so you’ll never be bored on your days off! Two of our favorite local destinations for any sunny day in Brandon are:
- All Persons Rotary Park: Located just north of Barrington Oaks East, this municipal park includes a playground and interactive fountain that’s perfect for cooling off on a hot day.
- Paul Sanders Park: Despite being small, this park is one of the most popular in Brandon. Features include walking and biking trails and a picnic shelter for your next family outing. Need directions? This map will lead you straight to a day of outdoor fun.
If you want to make yourself a part of any of these communities, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Largo, FL or let us introduce you to a local agent in the area.
Brandon’s Best Restaurants
If you’re anything like most folks, chances are you love to eat out. There’s just something wonderful about a delicious meal, served straight to you without the burden of cooking or cleaning. In Brandon, you’ll find dozens of restaurants to tickle your culinary fancies, but here are two of our favorites:
Shells Seafood Restaurant
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For a casual night out and delicious seafood to boot, you can’t beat Shells Seafood Restaurant. Favorites on the menu include the Shells clam chowder and the shrimp diablo.
- Hours: 4PM-10PM Monday-Thursday, 4PM-11PM Friday and Saturday, 12PM-10PM Sunday
- Website: shellsseafood.com
- Phone: (813) 689-4691
- Address: 115 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen
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Tibby’s is the place to be if you’re craving delectable cajun-inspired food. Menu items include fried green tomatoes and crawfish, jambalaya and classic gumbo.
- Hours: 11AM-10PM Monday-Thursday, 11AM-10:30PM Friday and Saturday, 11AM-9:30PM Sunday
- Website: tibbys.com
- Phone: (813) 315-8443
- Address: 1721 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
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Tips for Moving to Brandon
Before moving to Brandon, keep these key points in mind:
- This community is sunny and warm, year-round.
- Brandon offers affordable living close to Tampa.
- Healthcare, finance, and education are some of the largest local industries.
Need help with your local or long distance move to Brandon? 2 College Brothers is a top-rated moving company in Hillsborough County, offering a range of Brandon moving services to fit every need and budget. For more information, give us a call today at 813-922-1528.
