Valrico FL

Of course. Valrico is one of eastern Hillsborough County’s most significant and desirable suburban communities. From my location in the northwest suburbs of Citrus Park, I’ve always viewed Valrico as the quintessential “bedroom community”—a place that grew out of the Brandon boom to become a large, affluent, and primarily residential haven for families.

Zip Codes: 33594, 33595, 33596

Latitude, Longitude: 27.9463° N, 82.2420° W

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The “Rich Valley” of the Cotton Fields 🌾

The story of Valrico begins in the 1880s on a large cotton plantation known as “Long Pond.” The arrival of the Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad through the area was the catalyst for the creation of a formal town.

The community’s beautiful and unique name was coined by a visitor. In the late 1880s, William G. Tousey, a history professor from Tufts College in Massachusetts, was traveling through the area. Impressed by the fertile, rolling landscape, he declared that it was a “Valle Rico,” which is Spanish for “rich valley.” The name was officially adopted for the new post office in 1890.

For many decades, Valrico remained a very small, quiet farm town, known for its citrus groves and sawmills. Its modern identity was forged in the explosive suburban growth of the late 20th century. As its neighbor Brandon began to fill up in the 1970s and ’80s, developers looked east, and Valrico became the next frontier for families seeking newer homes, good schools, and a bit more space.

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A Quintessential Bedroom Community 🏡

Today, Valrico is a large, unincorporated community that is almost entirely residential. This is what distinguishes it from its neighbor, Brandon. While Brandon is defined by the massive, bustling commercial corridor of State Road 60, Valrico’s main roads are quieter and lined primarily with the entrances to its many subdivisions.

Life in Valrico is centered on family, schools, and youth sports. It is a classic bedroom community, where residents live and play, but often commute to Brandon for major shopping and to Tampa for work. The community is known for its numerous golf courses, well-maintained parks, and excellent public schools. Like all of its immediate neighbors, with the exception of Plant City, Valrico is an unincorporated Census-Designated Place (CDP), with all government services provided by Hillsborough County.

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Valrico by the Numbers 📊

The demographic data for Valrico reflects its status as a large, prosperous, and family-oriented suburban community.

• Official Designation: Census-Designated Place (CDP)
• County: Hillsborough
• Established: Named in 1890.
• Named For: The Spanish words “Valle Rico,” meaning “rich valley.”
• Population: Approximately 38,000 residents.
• Area: About 14 square miles.
• Median Age: Roughly 42 years old.
• Racial & Ethnic Composition: A diverse, middle-to-upper-middle-class population:
  • White (non-Hispanic): ~61%
  • Hispanic or Latino: ~19%
  • Black or African American: ~12%
  • Asian: ~4%
• Median Household Income: Approximately $88,000.

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Landmarks and Local Favorites 🍕

The most important places in and around Valrico are the institutions that support its active, family-focused lifestyle.

• Campo Family YMCA: This massive, state-of-the-art YMCA campus in Valrico is the primary community center for the entire region. With its extensive fitness facilities, sports fields, and family programming, it’s a central hub of community life.
• CDB’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant: A true local legend. For over 40 years, this family-owned and operated restaurant has been a beloved landmark, famous for its delicious pizza and as a gathering spot for generations of local families and sports teams.
• Lithia Springs Park: Located in neighboring Lithia, this beautiful county park is the go-to destination for Valrico families on hot days. Its natural spring stays a constant 72 degrees year-round, making it a perfect, refreshing swimming hole.
• Bloomingdale Golfer’s Club: A major recreational landmark in the area. This popular public golf course, located in the adjacent community of Bloomingdale, is a favorite for golfers from all over the Valrico-Brandon-Bloomingdale region.
• Valrico Park and Recreation Center: A key hub for local youth sports and community activities. This Hillsborough County park features sports fields, playgrounds, and a recreation center that serves as a vital part of the community’s family-friendly infrastructure.