Towering palm trees and established oaks line the streets of Odessa, a residential region dotted with lakes about 25 miles from Downtown Tampa. “Most people choose to live here because it’s near urban amenities, but with a more rural community,” says Christopher Johnson, Realtor and owner of Noble Star Realty. Still, Odessa is growing. The current population is about 8,100 people; in 2000, it was just under 3,200. “Everything’s expanding all around,” Johnson says. “Odessa is no exception to that.” Most of the homes in the area were built after 2000 and developing shopping centers are just across the street. Major employers in Pasco County include healthcare providers like AdventHealth and HCA or county and state governments.
Land spreading out so far and wide with a speckling of lakes, is what makes up Odessa.
Enjoying a ride on a tree lined street or a day fishing on the lake, is the Odessa life.
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Planned communities fill Odessa’s streets
Master-planned and gated communities make up most of the housing market in Odessa, which has a median price of $619,000. This is significantly higher than Tampa’s median, which is $440,000. “Odessa seems to remain high,” says Johnson, noting that the most expensive properties are lakefront homes. “Once you get into the master-planned communities, you see a more affordable market.” The average time on the market is 52 days. Most houses built after 2000 are new traditional homes or townhouses that feature Mediterranean and modern influences. Older houses include ranch styles that date to the 1950s.
Lake life in Odessa is highly sought after for weekends fishing on the dock and evening bonfires
A part of Odessa has the tranquil life of lake living.
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At the intersection of major highways
Odessa sits at the intersection of Highway 589, or the Suncoast Parkway, and Highway 54. Pasco County’s public transportation, GOPASCO, offers a bus service along Highway 54. Most people fly out of Tampa International Airport, about 20 miles away, where carriers offer nonstop service to over 100 destinations.
Hwy 589 offers direct access to downtown Tampa from Odessa.
Odessa residents enjoy direct access to Tampa on SR 589
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Near bustling shopping centers
While Odessa is primarily residential, it is surrounded by shopping and dining options. “Odessa has fast food and high-end restaurants nearby, and many are walkable from some subdivisions,” Laihuyen says. “Folks can just cross the street and enjoy lunch or dinner. There are lots of new businesses, as this is such an up-and-coming area.” Across Highway 54 is Starkey Ranch, a neighboring master-planned community with a hospital, parks and local and national shops and restaurants. More options are on the other side of Suncoast Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, and about 25 miles away in Downtown Tampa.
Glory Day's Grill in Odessa, is the place to be for watching your team play.
Get a custom order Poke Sushi bowl to take out from the Fish Bowl in Odessa.
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Odessa residents attend Tampa Bay events
Because Downtown Tampa is nearby, Odessa residents can participate in city events ranging from the Gasparilla Pirate Fest in January to the Winter Village in December. Pasco County hosts several festivals throughout the year that are often closer to Odessa, including the annual Pasco County Beer & Burger Festival. Every April, Land O’Lakes Heritage Park is where festival-goers vote on their favorite burgers from local eateries while listening to live music and sipping beers from nearby craft breweries.
Rasmussen University’s largest campus in Odessa
Pasco County Schools receives a B-plus from Niche and serves Odessa. Private schools in the area include Odessa Christian School and Christian Crossings Academy. Rasmussen University (RU) offers over 60 career-focused online and in-person programs, such as practical nursing and accounting. The Central Pasco campus in Odessa is the largest of 20 RU campuses nationwide.
Sunlake High School started educating students in 2007 when it opened.
Rushe Middle School hosts 1,335 students in grades 6-8.
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Lakes, horses and local parks provide endless outdoor recreation in Odessa
Several small lakes, such as Lake Ann and Lake Minniola, are scattered across Odessa. “Most of the lakes are private; you have to live on the lakes to dock your boat,” Johnson says. Horseback riding is popular in the area, with boarding facilities and lessons available at Suncoast Stables & Riding Academy. At Odessa Community Park, kids can run around the playground or play a game of basketball. The Upper Tampa Bay Trailhead is at the nearby Brooker Creek Headwaters Nature Preserve, connecting to a nearly 15-mile trail system. Parts of the path are still being restored following hurricanes Debbie, Helene and Milton in 2024.
The amazing blend of rural and urban living in Odessa.
The exciting new sport of Pickle Ball with leagues at parks in Odessa.
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Hurricane preparedness and hot summers
Like much of Florida, Odessa experiences hot summers and short winters. Temperatures start to rise in May and do not drop again until October. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, there is a very high risk of hurricanes. Pasco County advises residents to stock up on emergency supplies, including medication, and have an evacuation plan before a storm hits. The county is also a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program.
According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, violent crime rates in Pasco County decreased about 5% from 2022 to 2023. The 2023 violent crime rates in Pasco County were about 34% lower than in Florida.
Written By
Zia Sampson
Photography Contributed By
David Hall
Video By
Christian Gortler
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Veronica Preusch,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Odessa, FL sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Odessa, FL over the last 12 months is $725,000, consistent with the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your dream home in the highly desirable community of Starkey Ranch — where charm, convenience, and a true sense of community come together. Perfectly positioned across from a scenic pond and preserved green space, this M/I Homes Newport II model offers nearly 3,000 square feet of beautifully designed living space. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and a spacious bonus room, this home
This beautiful house is worthy of being featured in a Southern Living magazine and ready to become your home. This pristine kept, lovingly maintained, and beautifully designed Taylor Morrison LAZIO on a corner lot, provides the perfect blend of comfort, elegance, and Southern Charm. With 3 BEDROOMS, 3 BATHROOMS, a versatile DEN/OFFICE SPACE, and spacious 2-car garage, this home is a standout in
Welcome to the highly sought-after, gated, and maintenance inclusive community of ESPLANADE AT STARKEY RANCH! Offering 3 BEDROOMS + OFFICE, 3 FULL BATHS, and over 2,300 SQ FT, this home sits on a PREMIUM QUARTER-ACRE CONSERVATION LOT that provides privacy and gorgeous natural views. The exterior impresses with a TILE ROOF, STACKED STONE ACCENTS, and PRIVATE GATED COURTYARD ENTRY. Step inside
Located in one of Florida’s most desirable master-planned communities, this stunning residence is surrounded by million-dollar homes and world-class amenities—all at a fraction of the price. Step inside to discover a professionally redesigned interior that feels like a five-star retreat. Features include creamy Beachwood engineered flooring, crown molding, custom-built cabinetry, and a remodeled
HUGE REDUCTION!! BRAND NEW $17,000.00 A/C replaced on 10/18/2025. Gorgeous, Custom, Elegant, and UPGRADED HOME, LOCATED IN SOUGHT OUT ODESSA MINUTES FROM TAMPA ON 1.6 ACRES. OWNER MOTIVATED! Beautiful Fenced Yard for your complete privacy and family entertainment with extended half circle driveway. Enter through CUSTOM 8 ft. Doors w/Cathedral Lighting and step into a Complete CUSTOM and
Westchase area – just minutes from Waterchase in Tampa – this stunning single-level luxury home at 15709 Muirfield Drive offers fully remodeled living in The Eagles, one of Tampa Bay’s premier golf and gated communities. Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a 3-car garage, and a private pool, this beautifully updated former model home was completely renovated in 2024 with high-quality materials and
Beautiful townhome in the highly sought-after Asturia, offering low-maintenance living with access to resort-style amenities! This spacious 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 2-car garage home is the perfect place to call home. You’ll enjoy the open floor plan with 9-foot ceilings. The kitchen features granite countertops, gas range, stainless steel appliances, and a large center island overlooking the living
Located in the heart of Pasco is one of the area’s most alluring apartment communities. Azora at Cypress Ranch offers a refreshing and exciting place for you to call home. Modern appliances and purposefully designed spaces make Azora the ideal place to relax, unwind, and thrive. With one, two, and three-bedroom apartment homes, we’ve got a ?oor plan that will suit all of your needs. Resort-style
One or more photo(s) has been virtually staged. Discover this beautifully maintained end-unit townhome in the highly desirable Asturia community of Odessa. Built in 2020, this modern residence combines style, comfort, and functionality with a prime location near shops, dining, and major commuter routes. The open-concept first floor features luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, abundant natural
A master-planned community with a deeply rooted local history, Starkey Ranch has too many amenities to count, just 25 miles from Tampa. “It’s a great area for families and has a wonderful culture,” says Patti Reading, a local Realtor with Future Home Realty who’s been selling homes in the southeast region of Florida for over a decade. “It’s just a really nice, old-fashioned neighborhood.” In 1922, Jay Starkey got into the cattle ranch business with the help of a few friends and soon ended up with 16,000 acres in southwest Pasco County to raise his purebred Brahma cattle. Today, the Starkey Ranch neighborhood is filled with hundreds of acres of parks and has many streets named after Jay’s old partners and friends who helped make his ranch possible. While being a master-planned community gives Starkey Ranch a certain sense of walkability, it is still more spread out than the city scene in nearby downtown Tampa. “I’d consider it suburban since it’s a big area,” Reader says. “But you’ve got shopping and retail and restaurants about five minutes away.”
There are plenty of home options to choose from in Starkey Ranch. “They have every size of everything, starter homes, townhomes and millennium mansions,” Reading says. Residents will find 55+ communities and gated communities with 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom homes ranging from $500,000 to $1.2 million. Spanish revival homes that range from $800,000 to $1 million with three-car garages and extensive driveways. Queen Anne and craftsman-style homes with shingle roofs are available as well, ranging from $460,000 to $930,000, depending on the number of rooms and other amenities like a pool and fenced backyards. Most dwellings have modest, shrub-filled front yards and wide sidewalks.
Starkey Ranch has no shortage of parks in all shapes and sizes, such as the Heart Pine Pond Overlook, a quaint little wooden walkway that offers scenic views and a perfect picnic area. Sports lovers will enjoy the Starkey Ranch District Park, a 150-acre recreational complex with tennis courts, soccer fields and a track. The park also has a trailhead to 12 miles of paved community trails, where residents can take their four-legged friends. In the warmer months, neighbors visit the Heritage Springs Country Club is used for its golf course, meeting spaces and restaurant. People can also take a day trip to Howard Park Beach, which is 15 miles away and offers an area for relaxing, kayaking and boating.
Residents visit the Publix Supermarket and pharmacy at Starkey Ranch Square for grocery restocks and prescriptions. There is also an ATM available here, as well as a nail salon. Starkey Market offers locally sourced produce, gourmet coffee, fresh pastries, and a small in-house gourmet restaurant called The Trough on Starkey Boulevard. They regularly host events, live music and trivia nights, with visits from food trucks on the weekend. Vallarta’s Mexican has been serving up classic Mexican dishes since 1992. The Wicked Pour is a popular spot to gather with friends while enjoying self-serve craft beer.
The Pasco County Annual Fair brings in many Starkey Ranch residents every February, offering carnival rides, concerts, fair food, a pageant and more. During the holiday season, neighbors visit Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park for their Christmas lights. The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center is a popular destination for book enthusiasts. Residents drive south to Tampa for places such as Splitsville Tiki + Social, which offers a bowling alley and full restaurant, and Tampa Theatre, that’s been entertaining people since 1926.
The Pasco County School District receives a B-plus from Niche and serves students in the area, which includes B-plus-rated Longleaf Elementary. Children may attend here before advancing to Seven Springs Middle, which earns a B-plus and has a very successful music program. Kids can move on to J.W. Mitchell High School, which has an A from Niche and offers students many programs such as a business technology and medical program.
Commuters can use the Pasco County Public Transportation bus service to get around and to work. Major employers such as HCA Florida Trinity Hospital and the Pasco County School District are nearby, offering residents a smooth drive to work. Florida State Road 54 is used by drivers to reach places. Tampa International Airport is 24 miles away.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
53°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
31/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
24/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
