Brandon

About Brandon

On the outskirts of the city of Tampa sits the bustling suburb of Brandon. With its growing population, Brandon is among the largest unincorporated communities in Florida. There are several interesting things to do in Brandon, whether you're looking for an entertaining meal at the local Hard Rock Cafe, interested in taking a journey to prehistoric times at the Dinosaur World museum or hoping to learn more about the area's pioneer history at the Cracker Country replica village.

The History of Brandon

Named for founder John Brandon, the community got its start in the late 19th century and stayed a small, sleepy place until the 1950s when growth began to skyrocket. By the early 1960s, it was estimated that one new family relocated to Brandon every day. The borders of Brandon began to spread, and several schools, housing developments, shopping centers and golf courses were established.

By the 1970s, the rapid growth was beginning to wear on the community, as traffic and increased demand for services became issues. With about 40,000 people and hundreds of businesses packed into the 6 square miles covered by Brandon, a pause in growth was inevitable. However, as the southern portion of Brandon was developed in the 1980s, growth returned to a rapid pace. The arrival of Interstate 75 had a significant impact on the community, providing a major transportation option and increasing the population even further.

Living in Brandon

These days Brandon is large enough to have its own shopping mall and several schools, and a population that holds its own with many mid-size cities. Close enough to all that Tampa offers — including Busch Gardens, the Lowry Zoo and Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Brandon offers the opportunity to enjoy big-city amenities while being able to live and work away from the hassles of the congestion and traffic of the city itself.

Nestled in the heart of west central Florida, Brandon is within driving distance of the beach and enjoys a moderate climate year-round. The area enjoys nearly 250 sunny days a year but also observes over 50 inches of yearly rainfall. Summers are hot and humid, but in the winter, the average lows barely break 50 degrees.

Brandon Schools

Brandon schools are part of the Hillsborough County Public School District, one of the largest districts in the country. There are several private schools in the community, most of which are faith-based.

Resources for Moving to Brandon

Here are a few helpful resources for planning your move to Brandon:

• Utilities: Tampa Electric provides electricity to the Brandon area. Water and sewer services are facilitated by Hillsborough County.
• Garbage and Recycling: Trash and recycling collection services are provided by the county. Your specific location will determine your collection schedule.
• Transportation: HART is the regional public transit network, which includes bus, streetcar and van routes throughout the county. Brandon is connected to other neighboring cities with a few of these routes.

Brandon Housing

Depending on where you choose to live in Brandon, you can find a neighborhood and home in nearly any budget. If you're working with a large budget, the neighborhoods of Amaya Estates, Shoals and Brandon Country Estates provide a range of large, single-family homes. If affordability is your focus, the Camelot Woods and Highland Ridge neighborhoods have plenty of options.

Single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums and apartments are available throughout Brandon, so there's a lot of flexibility when it comes to finding something to meet your needs. On average, Brandon's housing prices are more affordable than the Florida state averages.