Sun City Center is a retirement community located in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. It is situated about 25 miles south of Tampa and is part of the Tampa Bay Area. The community was developed by Del Webb Corporation and was opened in 1961.

Sun City Center is primarily a retirement community, with a population of approximately 30,000 residents. The community offers a variety of amenities for its residents, including multiple golf courses, swimming pools, fitness centers, tennis courts, and pickleball courts. There are also numerous clubs and organizations for residents to join, ranging from arts and crafts to woodworking to photography.

The community is also conveniently located near many attractions and amenities, including shopping centers, restaurants, and medical facilities. It is also just a short drive away from some of Florida’s most popular destinations, such as the Gulf of Mexico beaches, Busch Gardens, and Disney World.

Sun City Center is known for its warm climate and sunny weather, making it a popular destination for retirees who want to enjoy an active lifestyle in a beautiful setting.

Population:

• Population (2020): 30,952
• Median age (2022): 70.7
• Residents under 18 (2020): 5.9%
• Residents over 65 (2020): 67%
• Population % by sex (2020): 57% female, 43% male
• Homeowners and renters (2022): 83.5% homeowners, 16.5% renters
• Married population (2023): 78%
• Population change (2010-2020): Appx. 20% Increase
• Poverty rate compared to the US national average (2022): 8.7% vs the average of 11.5%

Demographics (2022):

• White Non Hispanic – 77.8%
• Black Non Hispanic – 7.51%
• Multiracial Hispanic – 5.57
• White Hispanic – 2.87%

*Prices shown are based only on activity for the dates specified

Income:

• Median Household Income (2022): $64,661
• Avg. per capita Income (2022): $42,715

Tax:

• County Property Tax Rate: 1.02% of a property’s assessed fair market value (2023)
• Combined State and County Sales Tax Rate: 7.5% (2023)

Cost of Living:

• Average Cost of Living compared to the US national average (2023): Slightly Higher
• Cost of Housing compared to the Florida average (2023): Appx. same
• Cost of Food compared to the US national average (2023): Appx. same
• Cost of Healthcare compared to the US national average (2023): 2% Higher
• Cost of Utilities compared to the US national average (2023): Appx. same
• Cost of Transportation compared to the US national average (2023): Appx. same

Political Affiliation based on the 2024 Election results ( Hillsborough County ):

• Republican – 50.68%%
• Democrat – 47.36%
• Other – 1.69%

Largest 3 employers: South Bay Hospital, Walmart, Amazon

School ratings: Sun City Center has no schools within its borders, but the Hillsborough County School District, which serves the area, has an overall rating of 6/10 on GreatSchools.org

Coastal: No

Average low and high temperature: Low 18.5 °C, High 27.3 °C

Location and Amenities:

Highways:

• The closest major highway to Sun City Center is Interstate 75 (I-75), which runs north-south. It is accessible via the State Road 674 exit. The distance to I-75 from Sun City Center is approximately 5 miles, and the travel time can vary depending on traffi c conditions.

International Airports:

• Tampa International Airport (TPA): Located in Tampa, Florida, it is approximately 25 miles north of Sun City Center. The travel time can range from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic conditions.
• Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ): Located in Sarasota, Florida, it is approximately 30 miles south of Sun City Center. The travel time can range from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic conditions.

Universities and Colleges:

• University of South Florida (USF): Located in Tampa, Florida, it is approximately 25 miles north of Sun City Center.
• University of Tampa: Located in downtown Tampa, Florida, it is approximately 30 miles north of Sun City Center.
• Hillsborough Community College: The SouthShore Campus of Hillsborough Community College is located in Ruskin, Florida, approximately 10 miles north of Sun City Center.

Hospitals:

• South Bay Hospital: Located in Sun City Center, it provides healthcare services to the local community.
• Tampa General Hospital: Located in Tampa, Florida, it is approximately 25 miles north of Sun City Center.
• Sarasota Memorial Hospital: Located in Sarasota, Florida, it is approximately 30 miles south of Sun City Center.

Shopping Malls:

• Sun City Center has its own shopping centers and plazas that cater to the needs of residents. Additionally, there are larger shopping malls in the surrounding areas, including:
• Westfi eld Brandon Mall: Located in Brandon, Florida, it is approximately 15 miles north of Sun City Center.
• Ellenton Premium Outlets: Located in Ellenton, Florida, it is approximately 20 miles south of Sun City Center.
• International Plaza and Bay Street: Located in Tampa, Florida, it is approximately 25 miles north of Sun City Center.

Major Cities:

• Tampa is approximately 25 miles to the northwest.
• Sarasota is approximately 30 miles to the south.

Amenities/Attractions:

• Sun City Center offers a variety of amenities for seniors, including golf courses, swimming pools, and fitness centers. It is also close to beaches and other attractions in the Tampa Bay area.

Fun facts: Sun City Center was developed by Del Webb in the 1960s as a retirement community. It is known for its active senior population and has been called a “Disneyland for retirees.”

Short Term Rental Regulations:

** All short term rental operations in Florida must obtain a business license from the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation ( DBPR ) and a Florida Department of Revenue Certificate of Sales and Use. ** Short term rental regulations can be subject to change and should always be confirmed with city / towns or county departments.

Restrictions:

• Zoning restrictions apply in Hillsborough County
• Hillsborough County allows short term rentals for 7 nights or less in some residential and commercial zones, however, this could be subject to new changes. For more details visit the website below.

For details visit – hillsboroughcounty.org or suncitycenter.org