Sunset Park
Oak-shaded Art Deco and Spanish or Tudor estates on Old Tampa Bay
In 2024, Sunset Park celebrated its 100th anniversary. Sometimes referred to as "Home of the Poets," Sunset Park's residential streets carry names of famous literary figures, including Homer, Tennyson, Dickens and Poe. In the 1950s, developers dredged a cluster of islands – referred to as "fingers" by locals – just wide enough for a cul-de-sac. The canals now undulate between tight rows of custom mansions on one-third-acre lots, often ranging in price between $1 to $6 million. New builds are modern, emphasizing a boxy shape and minimalistic clean lines. "The newer the house, the bigger they get," Smillie says. "Instead of yard space, you get square footage." Older residences are farther inland on half-acre lots and larger than most South Tampa neighborhoods. These properties — often ranch-style, Art Deco, Spanish or Tudor — boast some of the neighborhood's largest oaks. Pricing can range from $800,000 to $2 million. Gonzalez says that homes very rarely become available. "When something becomes available, we let all of our friends know. The house across the street was listed, and I immediately told my good friend about it. She lives there now and just loves it." Because of its sought-after location, property value tends to be recession-proof here and consistently tick upwards.
/
Desirable HCPS district, A-plus Plant High
Public schools are in the Hillsborough County Public School District, named the No. 2 best district in Tampa by Niche. Kids can start at Mabry Elementary School and move on to Coleman Middle, both earning an A-minus grade on Niche. Older students advance to Plant High, which earns Niche's highest A-plus grade and sports championship-winning girls' volleyball and boys' tennis teams. It is the No. 1-ranked high school in Tampa Bay. Faith-based schools, such as Bayshore Christian and Academy of the Holy Names, offer private options.Biking the sidewalk along Bayshore Boulevard, fishing charters and private piers
The neighborhood's namesake park is set off Old Tampa Bay, offering waterfront views, fishing spots and boat docks. Dundee Park is set to receive additions, such as a boardwalk and kayak launch in the nearby lake. But what sets this South Tampa suburb apart is the century-plus old oak trees that canopy over the streets in Sunset Park. "The trees here are everything," Smillie says. "We had fourteen children living on this street at one time. We blocked it off during the Olympics one year and created our own ball field." Now faded, a white spray-painted first base is still noticeable on the tree across from Smillie's home. Other perks of residing in Sunset Park include proximity to the longest sidewalk in the country on Bayshore Boulevard and the exclusive Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club.
/
Bucket Bread at Wright's and Henderson Boulevard Shopping Center
Henderson Boulevard Shopping Center offers a cat café, Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse and grocers Target, Sprouts Farmers Market and The Fresh Market. A South Tampa staple, Wright's Gourmet House opened in 1963 and was one of the city's first restaurants to offer frozen meals. Most notable are the sandwiches, which feature the shop's specialty Bucket Bread. The owners bake the bread in a round pan, a style that has inspired copycats. Wright's is also known for its rum cake and other sweet treats. Bay to Bay Boulevard brings residents through Palma Ceia and into SoHo, as well as the outdoor mall Hyde Park Village. Sunset Park is near WestShore Plaza —home to well-known department stores like JCPenney — and International Plaza, known for more high-end brands and a list of dining and entertainment options.Getting in and around Sunset Park requires a car
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) bus stops along the main Dale Mabry artery to connect with the Tampa International Airport, 6 miles north. Residents are only 6 miles from Downtown Tampa and 18 miles from downtown St. Petersburg via the Howard Franklin or Gandy bridges. I-275, State Route 92 and The Selmon Expressway are all within 3 miles. Living in South Tampa means proximity to Bayshore Boulevard and its 10-foot-wide sidewalk, which runs 4.5 miles to downtown Tampa. It is the longest continuous sidewalk in the U.S. HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital is under 3 miles east for medical care.From neighborhood block parties to a pirate invasion during Gasparilla season
Every January, Sunset Park residents look forward to the return of the week-long Gasparilla Pirate Fest. The fest attracts over 500,000 spectators to its parades, which go up and down Bayshore Boulevard, mock pirate invasions and celebratory fireworks. Gasparilla continues to run from January until April and includes additional events like the annual Gasparilla Music Festival. SPAHA hosts regular family-friendly events, such as movies in the park and seasonal block parties.Weather warnings for Tampa Bay area
In 2024, two back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton, hit Tampa Bay, causing excessive flooding of up to eight feet in Sunset Park. Smillie had never experienced flooding in the neighborhood before Helene and Milton. "You're either staying and repairing your house or selling it as a complete teardown. But the land still sells – an empty lot just sold for a million dollars the other day." Due to new insurance requirements for flooding coverage, the lowest floor elevation, including basements, must be above the base flood elevation (BFE) plus 1 foot.
Written By
Corrine Fizer
Photography Contributed By
David Hall
Video By
Brandon Flash Craigie
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Kelly Parks
Kelly Parks
COASTAL PROPERTIES GROUP INTER
(727) 977-2142
571 Total Sales
3 in Sunset Park
$698K - $3.5M Price Range
-
Lisa Tackus
Lisa Tackus
ALIGN RIGHT REALTY RIVERVIEW
(786) 933-4470
85 Total Sales
1 in Sunset Park
$1,775,000 Price
-
Simone Hollar
Simone Hollar
Responds QuicklyHOLLAR REAL ESTATE SERVICES
(656) 213-3946
20 Total Sales
1 in Sunset Park
$730,000 Price
-
Rhea Shoop
Rhea Shoop
Responds QuicklyCOMPASS FLORIDA LLC
(786) 751-5299
101 Total Sales
3 in Sunset Park
$725K - $890K Price Range
-
Lawrence Mendez
Lawrence Mendez
SMITH & ASSOCIATES REAL ESTATE
(813) 945-6529
24 Total Sales
1 in Sunset Park
$564,300 Price
-
Chris Remmert
Chris Remmert
CENTURY 21 EXECUTIVE TEAM
(656) 228-8358
30 Total Sales
1 in Sunset Park
$3,000,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Sevilla Running Circle
Corona Park
- Basketball
- Picnic Area
- Soccer
Friendship Park
Swann Circle Park
- Dog Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Cal Dickson Tennis Center
- Tennis
Carol Kennedy Field
- Baseball/Softball
- Trails
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Sunset Park | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 1 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4 |
| Burglary | 3 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
| Larceny | 3 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Sunset Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Sunset Park, Tampa sell after 97 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Sunset Park, Tampa over the last 12 months is $1,095,000, down 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$1,673,750
Median Sale Price
$1,095,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$1,387,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
10%
Last 12 months Home Sales
102
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-12%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$559
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
1,315
Number of Homes for Sale
73
Median Year Built
1962
Months of Supply
8.60
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
3,162
Significantly above the national average
1,927
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,986
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,454
Open Houses
-
Sunday, Jul 201 - 3pm
-
Sunday, Jul 201:30am - 3:30pm
-
Sunday, Jul 201 - 3pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
3,978
Median Age
44
Population Density
8 ppl/acre
Population under 18
25.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$191,373
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$206,306
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.1%
College Graduates
75.6%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
42.3%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
74.2%
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®
46
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
26
/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
0
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Belmar
High-end coastal community along a prime piece of shoreline off Old Tampa Bay
Bayside West
Waterfront homes and popular fishing spots 7 miles from Downtown Tampa
Beach Park
Live Southern oaks hang over the streets like a lush canopy in this Tampa standout
Swann Estates
Urban access with suburban character in this Tampa neighborhood
Virginia Park
Quiet, walkable upscale community on South Tampa peninsula with standout schools
Reviews
Are you familiar with the Sunset Park neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Was this page helpful?
