Ruskin is an unincorporated census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida. The area was first explored by Hernando de Soto in 1539, and Ruskin was founded in 1908 on the shores of the Little Manatee River. The town is named after John Ruskin, an essayist and social critic.
Ruskin has a small-town atmosphere yet offers plenty of outdoor activities, beaches, and local places to eat. Situated between Little Manatee River and Tampa Bay, Ruskin has spectacular sunsets, waterside dining, and many water-related activities, including kayaking on the river, sunset cruises, and deepwater fishing in the Gulf.
Here’s what you have to look forward to after moving to Ruskin, Florida!
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Where Is Ruskin Florida?
Ruskin is located in south-central Hillsborough County, along the Little Manatee River. Ruskin FL to Tampa FL is about 28 miles. It is bordered to the north by Apollo Beach, to the east by Sun City Center, to the west by Tampa Bay, and to the south by Sundance.
Ruskin, FL Map
Ruskin FL Population & Demographics
Ruskin has grown rapidly since 2010. According to the 2020 census, the population of Ruskin is 28,620, which is a 66% increase from 2010. It’s also fairly affluent. The median household income is $69,005. By comparison, the average household income in Tampa is $59,893. The racial makeup of Ruskin is 56.3% White (40% Non-Hispanic), 21.1% Black or African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, and 6.8% from 2 or more races. Latinos make up 36.4% of the population.
One interesting thing about Ruskin is it was home to notable people Clarence and John Anglin, who were brothers who escaped from Alcatraz Prison with two other inmates, a feat not thought possible at the time. They were born and raised in Ruskin before they robbed a bank and were sent to prison. Another famous person from Ruskin is Nick Carter, a member of The Backstreet Boys!
Ruskin demographics:
- Population density: 1,573.31/sq mi
- Median age: 33.8
- Sex ratio: 47.7% females to 52.3% males
- Median household income: $69,005
- Educational attainment: 87.2% high school grad or higher, 22.1% bachelor’s degree or higher
- Foreign-born population: 13.8%
- Veteran population: 1,718
The property crime rate is 713 per 100,000 citizens. This is about on par with the US average. The violent crime rate in Ruskin is 164 per 100,000 citizens, making it slightly higher than the US average. It’s important to note that most crime takes place in certain areas that can be avoided, and most residents report feeling that Ruskin Florida is a safe place to live. This is thanks to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, which serves Ruskin. Take a look at the Ruskin crime map for reported crimes in the area.
Ruskin Cost of Living – Is Ruskin, FL Expensive?
Good news – the cost of living in Ruskin FL is below the national average. The overall cost of living is 5% lower than the US average. Groceries are the only costs above the national average but only 3%.
Thankfully, housing is affordable in Ruskin as well. The Ruskin housing market is somewhat competitive, so if you’re buying one of the houses for sale in Ruskin FL, keep that in mind! The median sale price of a home in Ruskin was $364,000, a 6.7% drop from last year, making it a good time to buy a home in Ruskin. The median sale price per square foot in Ruskin is $190, down 5.9% since last year. Check out homes for sale in Ruskin FL to get an idea of how much a home in Ruskin will cost you.
If you are planning to rent an apartment, the average rent in Ruskin for a 1-bedroom apartment is $1,498 a month. A 2-bedroom apartment averages $2,119.
Typical Ruskin, FL Living Expenses
- Meal, inexpensive restaurant: $20.00
- Domestic beer: $6.75
- 1 gGallon of milk: $4.24
- Dozen eggs: $4.67
- 1 pound chicken: $5.19
- Average Ruskin monthly utility bill: $206.58
Source: Numbeo, Tampa Metro
Best Neighborhoods in Ruskin FL
Those moving to Ruskin have some great neighborhoods to choose from. Here are some of the best neighborhoods in Ruskin, depending on what you’re looking for:
Riverbend West | New Homes in Ruskin
Riverbend West is a new Ruskin community featuring beautiful 3-6 bedrooms homes, open-concept living, and resort-style amenities like a pool and cabana, a playground, a dog park, and a fire pit overlooking the lake. Home prices in Riverbend West typically run from $309,500 to $360,000.
Brookside Estates | Quiet Neighborhood with Lots of Amenities
Established in 2020, Brookside Estates offers beautiful homes that range from the $300,000s to just under $500,000. Home sizes run from about 1,500 square feet to just under 3,000 square feet. The lots are nice-sized, and the neighborhood has many ponds. Some of the many amenities that residents enjoy are a clubhouse and pool, basketball courts, a playground, walking trails, and a dog park.
Mira Bay Village | Gated Community in Ruskin
Mira Bay Village is a gated, master-planned neighborhood in Ruskin that consists of smaller 1,400 square-foot single-level homes up to larger 4,000 square-foot 2-story homes. This pet-friendly community has a community pool, a clubhouse, a kids’ playground, a basketball court, and lots of trails to walk the dog, run, or bike.
Ruskin Weather & Climate
Those living in Ruskin will experience typical Florida weather. The summers are long, hot, and wet, while the winters are short, cool, and windy. Summer lasts about five months, from early May to early October 7, with an average daily high temperature above 86°F. The hottest month of the year is July, with an average high of 90°F and a low of 77°F. The mild winter only lasts about 2.5 months, from early December to late February, with average daily highs below 74°F. The coldest month of the year is January, with an average low of 54°F and a high of 70°F.
Things to Do in Ruskin Florida
Ruskin has a variety of activities, from parks to beaches to family fun activities. In addition, Ruskin has many local shops as well as the Plaza de Toros shopping mall for convenient shopping. Here is our list of some of the best things to do in Ruskin.
E. G. Simmons Regional Park
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E.G. Simmons Regional Park features lots of natural beauty over 258 acres, including native mangroves, open spaces, and waterways. The 200-acre mangrove swamp is reserved as a bird and wildlife sanctuary. The park also features a 700-foot beach along Tampa Bay, volleyball courts, and a fishing pier. Kids will enjoy the two playgrounds in the park.
E.G. Simmons Regional Park, 2401 19th Ave NW, Ruskin, FL 33570, (813) 671-7655
Ruskin Drive In
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The Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre has been in business in Ruskin for over 50 years since it played its first movie, “Singing in the Rain,” in 1952. Affectionately called the “Last Family Drive-in” in the U.S.A., the drive-in is a great place for families, couples, single parents, and everyone else to spend an unforgettable night at the movies.
Ruskin Family Drive-In Theatre, 5011 U.S. Hwy 41 North, Ruskin, FL, 33572, 813-645-1455
Captain Matt Santiago Fishing Charters
A fishing charter with Captain Matt is a great way to start your journey after moving to Ruskin, enjoying the weather and the water. Not only that, you can catch some big fish! The Tarpon season runs from April to September, where you’ll have the opportunity to catch tarpon that range from 80 to 160 pounds or more!
Captain Matt Santiago Fishing Charters, 3520 W Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570, (813) 205-2327
Additional Attractions in Ruskin:
Still looking for things to do in Ruskin? Ruskin has a variety of parks that feature basketball courts, baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, street hockey, walking and biking trails, playgrounds, picnic shelters, volleyball courts, fitness centers, and more.
Ruskin FL Restaurants
Ruskin has a variety of restaurants for every taste. From American fare to Mexican, Cuban, Greek, German, Asian, and more, Ruskin has you covered. Here are some of the top-rated restaurants in Ruskin.
The Hot Tomato
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The Hot Tomato offers Latin/Cuban favorites in a casual atmosphere. Every item on the menu is made daily to make sure it is fresh and delicious. A family-owned business, The Hot Tomato brings years of culinary experience to provide the best dining experience in Ruskin. Join them for lunch or dinner! This is a favorite Ruskin restaurant amongst locals.
2702 E College Ave, Ruskin, FL 33570, (813) 938-1888
Joe’s New York Diner
Joe’s New York Diner has been a favorite for decades. Open 24 hours, this Ruskin cafe is one you don’t want to miss out on. From delicious breakfasts to huge dinners, you’ll make this a weekly stop.
1010 N U.S. Hwy 41, Ruskin, FL 33570, (813) 649-1315
Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant
Los Amigos serves the best traditional Mexican street tacos this side of Mexico! They season their meats to perfection, and their corn tortillas are handmade. They pile on fresh ingredients like freshly diced onions, chopped cilantro, pico de gallo, and mouth-watering salsas.
Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant, 17 7th Ave NE, Ruskin, FL 33570, 813-419-4921
Jobs in Ruskin FL
The average salary in Ruskin is $47,000 a year, according to PayScale. Ruskin is the home of Amazon’s one million+ square foot fulfillment center. Opened in 2014, the warehouse brought nearly 3,000 jobs to Ruskin in its first year of operation. To get an idea of how big the warehouse is, it’s about the size of 10 Home Depot stores.
Major employers in Ruskin include:
If you’re ready to explore your career opportunities in Ruskin, check out Ruskin jobs and employment on Indeed.
Schools in Ruskin, FL
Ruskin schools are part of the Hillsborough County Public Schools system. Schools include Thompson Elementary, Ruskin Elementary, Shields Middle, and Ruskin High School, Leonard High. LLC Academy South Bay Charter School and Ruskin Christian School are also located in Ruskin. For books and other resources, check out the free Ruskin Branch Library.
For higher education, you have the choice of 23 colleges within 50 miles of Ruskin. The closest school is the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus in St. Petersburg, about 13.6 miles away. The highest-rated college in the area is Florida Southern College in Lakeland. Going to college doesn’t have to be expensive! Hillsborough Community College offers the lowest tuition at $1,931 per year.
Ruskin FL Statistics & Information
- County: Hillsborough
- Area: 19.53 square miles
- Ruskin zip code: 33570-33573, 33575
- Area code: 813
- Elevation: 3 feet
- Time zone: Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5)
- Closest airport: Tampa (TPA) Airport, 18.8 miles away
If you’re ready to make Ruskin your new home, 2 College Brothers has the expertise and experience to get your move done right. Call our Ruskin movers today at 813-922-1528 for a free moving estimate!
