A fast-growing area of Tampa Bay that's kept its rural vibe
Halfway down the Florida peninsula, the flourishing suburb of Riverview sits about 14 miles south of Tampa. With beaches to the west and acres of nature preserves to the east, homebuyers flock to the Hillsborough County community for its central location, top-ranked schools and outdoor recreation, plus proximity to major employers and Tampa entertainment. “It’s relaxed with access to adventure,” says Jeff Gould, local resident and broker of Jeffrey Gould Real Estate. “It pushes you out of all the hustle and bustle but keeps you close enough to get into Tampa fairly quickly." The area's humble roots include logging, cattle ranching, citrus farming, phosphate mining and poultry farming. However, as the city of Tampa became more densely populated, people escaped northward — a move still happening today. Riverview is now home to 108,000 people, an increase of 12% since 2020. "It's one of the fastest growing areas in the Tampa region, attracting families and first-time homebuyers,” says Natasha McCormick, Realtor with LPT Realty. “A lot of active military families live there because of the affordability." MacDill Air Force Base, about 20 miles away, serves as one of the area's largest employers, along with Hillsborough County Public Schools and the growing health care industry, including St. Joseph’s Hospital-South, regularly ranked one of the Top 100 hospitals in the country by Fortune.
Many Riverview residents live in the area to take advantage of water access.
Great Palm River Point is not too far from downtown Tampa.
Newer construction single-family homes are the most prevalent in Riverview.
St. Josephs Hospital is one of the larger employers near Riverview.
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Surrounded by nature preserves, rivers and beaches
Founded in 1885, Riverview is named for its location along the banks of the Alafia River, which flows through the north side of town. The 477-acre Bell Creek Nature Preserve sits in the heart of town, with a greenway, boat ramps, hiking trails and spots for fishing. Triple Creek Nature Preserve encompasses Riverview’s southeastern edge, connecting to the Rhodine Scrub and Balm-Boyette Scrub preserves, creating an extensive hiking trail network stretching almost 10 miles. Mountain biking is especially popular at 5,700-acre Balm-Boyette Preserve. Alafia River State Park, 12 miles east, offers several lakes for boating and fishing, over 20 miles of rugged mountain biking trails, equestrian trails and natural paths. Apollo Beach Preserve, 12 miles south, is a popular spot for fun on the bay, with a sandy beach, an observation tower and shoreline fishing. Meanwhile, the beaches of St. Pete are 43 miles west, less than an hour without traffic. In total, Hillsborough County has over 20 conservation parks and 63,000 acres of nature preserves, plus the largest number of sports complexes in Florida, with more than 290 facilities.
Triple Creek Nature Preserve is one of several nature preserves that Riverview residents enjoy.
Many embark on kayaks along the water in Apollo Beach to enjoy the day.
There area certainly areas in Apollo Beach to feel secluded.
The Bloomingdale neighborhood has the Bloomingdale Sports Complex which is very popular.
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A mix of custom homes, lakefront million-dollar mansions and rural farm properties
Riverview features custom homes in gated subdivisions, sprawling rural farm properties, Florida-style bungalows, townhouses and manufactured homes. “There’s newly built homes and decent-sized properties at affordable prices,” McCormick says. Houses stay on the market for an average of 52 days, with a median home sale price in October 2024 of $408,000, up 0.8% from the previous year and 10% lower than Tampa. The community has a mix of newer construction and more established homes dating to the late 1970s. On the outskirts, the popular rural neighborhood of Boyette is home to Boyette Springs Park and two nature preserves. Off Interstate 75 in Riverview’s northwestern corner, lakefront properties are priced up to the high-$500,000s in scenic Lake St. Charles, where homes surround a 70-acre lake with its own park, playground and trails. Properties along the Alafia River are among the largest and most expensive in the area, listing between $1 million and $2 million. Moss Landing and Manors at Forest Glen are two sought-after gated subdivisions, with custom and large Craftsman-style houses surrounding the Bell Creek Nature Preserve. The 55-plus Pleasant Living subdivision offers manufactured homes ranging from the low-$30,000s for a two-bedroom to the high-$100,000s for a three-bedroom.
This iconic home in Riverview sits on a lovely lot with nice landscaping.
Beautiful, more traditional homes will be seen as you travel around Riverview.
Riverfront living is an option in Riverview.
There are many subdivisions in Riverview with larger, split-level homes.
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Home to the second-best school district in the Tampa area
Hillsborough County Public Schools serve 225,000 students in the third-largest district in Florida. The school system receives a B-plus from Niche, which ranks it the second-best district in Tampa. The area is also home to numerous private and charter options. Hillsborough Community College has a satellite campus less than 3 miles north, and the University of South Florida — the 20th-best public university in the country, according to Niche — is 17 miles away.
Frost Elementary is conveniently located in Great Palm River Point.
RAMS, in Riverview, provides a nurturing environment that fosters maximum student achievement.
Giunta Middle School, in Great Palm River Point, embraces a collaborative learning philosophy.
Catch a game at the USF Yuengling Center in the University Square neighborhood.
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A museum to explore unique memorabilia and oddities from American carnivals
Most shopping and dining options are along Interstate 75, Route 301 and Bloomingdale Avenue. The community offers a mix of big-box stores, grocery chains, national franchises and locally owned favorites like the waterfront Tiki Docks Riverview. Brandon Mall, 5 miles away, features department stores, restaurant chains and boutiques. The International Independent Showmen’s Museum is a unique community staple, highlighting the heritage of American carnivals with exhibits and memorabilia like show wagons, old fun houses and one of the first Ferris wheels in the country.
Winthrop Town Centre is in the heart of Bloomingdale Hills.
The seared Ahi tuna at Tiki Docks in RIverview is mouthwatering!
The Riverview Fresh Market is a popular place to stock up on fresh groceries.
Admire the antique rides at the Showmen's Museum in Gibsonton.
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Fairs and strawberry festivals
The Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 13 miles east, hosts an 11-day fair in November and the Tampa Bay Festival of Lights in December. In neighboring Tampa, the Florida State Fair is held every February. Ten miles away, Plant City’s Florida Strawberry Festival is one of the biggest celebrations in the state. Held every February since 1930, the 11-day event draws half a million people a year and features big-name musical acts and an array of strawberry foods.
Sunny days and a subtropical climate, but hurricane risk
Riverview has Florida's typical subtropical climate: humid summers, mild winters and an average of 248 sunny days annually. The region is also at high risk for extreme winds and hurricanes, especially from June to November. Hillsborough County offers a downloadable Disaster Preparedness Guide, updated yearly to include preparation tips, flood maps and important contact information. The community has several houses of worship, including St. Stephen Catholic Church, Chabad of Brandon & SouthShore, and First Baptist Church of Riverview, a historic landmark since 1883.
Well-known for its natural spring FishHawk offers a great spot for swimming.
Great Palm River Point is nestled along the Alafia River at its southernmost point.
The FishHawk Ranch neighborhood has many amenities.
The First Baptist Church of Riverview, built in 1883, is in the heart of Riverview.
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13 miles from downtown Tampa; future plans for revitalization
Interstate 75 runs along Riverview’s western edge, connecting to the broader region, and U.S. Route 301 leads to the city’s east side. Downtown Tampa is 13 miles, St. Petersburg is 37 and Tampa International Airport is 20. Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority provides public transportation for the area, including a route from South County near the community college to Brandon Mall. In 2021, Hillsborough County adopted a community plan for Riverview that includes creating a riverfront district, a downtown hub, and improved walkability and pathways for schools and parks.
Great Palm River Point has quick access to other parts of the area.
Residents of Westshore have very easy access to Tampa International Airport.
Downtown Tampa is about 13 miles from the city of Riverview
US 301 allows convenient access to Bloomingdale and surrounding areas with ease.
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Written By
Amy David
Photography Contributed By
Raif Fluker
Video By
TJ Wengert
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Angelica Vazquez,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Riverview, FL sell after 83 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Riverview, FL over the last 12 months is $385,000, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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