Temple Terrace, Florida

Temple Terrace, Florida
Name	Temple Terrace
Settlement type	City
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Florida
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Hillsborough
Established title	Founded
Established date	1920
Established title1	Incorporated
Established date1	1925
Government type	Council–Manager
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Andy Ross
Leader title1	City Manager
Leader name1	Charles Stephenson
Area total sq mi	4.66
Area land sq mi	4.46
Area water sq mi	0.20
Elevation ft	56
Population as of	2020
Population total	26918
Population density sq mi	auto
Timezone	Eastern (EST)
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Postal code type	ZIP Codes
Postal code	33617, 33637, 33687
Area code	813
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	12-71400
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0292101
Website	www.templeterrace.com

Temple Terrace, Florida, is a city in Hillsborough County within the Tampa Bay Area of the U.S. state of Florida. Incorporated in 1925, it is one of the state's first planned communities, originally conceived as a Mediterranean Revival-style golf course community. The city is known for its tree-lined boulevards, historic districts, and as the home of the University of South Florida's main campus.

History

The area was developed beginning in 1920 by the Chicago-based Temple Terrace Company, led by individuals like D. Collins Gillett and Bertha Palmer, who envisioned a luxurious golf and citrus community. The name combines "Temple" from the Temple Orange cultivated there and "Terrace" for the rolling hills along the Hillsborough River. The community's growth was initially tied to the Florida land boom of the 1920s, and it was officially incorporated as a city in 1925. Development stalled after the Great Depression and the collapse of the Florida land boom, with much of the original land eventually becoming part of the University of South Florida campus in the 1950s. Key historic sites include the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.66 square miles, of which 4.46 square miles is land and 0.20 square miles is water. It is located approximately 10 miles northeast of downtown Tampa and is bordered by the Hillsborough River to the west and Tampa to the south. The terrain is characterized by gentle slopes and the river floodplain. The city lies within the Tampa Bay watershed and experiences a humid subtropical climate typical of central Florida.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 26,918. The racial makeup was diverse, with significant proportions of White, African American, Hispanic or Latino, and Asian residents. The median household income was above the average for Florida, and a high percentage of residents held a bachelor's degree or higher, partly due to the proximity of the University of South Florida. The population density is approximately 6,000 people per square mile.

Economy

The economy is largely driven by education, healthcare, and professional services, anchored by the presence of the University of South Florida and its affiliated USF Health system. Other major employers include the Florida Department of Transportation and AdventHealth. Retail and dining establishments are concentrated along the Bruce B. Downs Boulevard corridor. The city has a small commercial district and actively supports local businesses through organizations like the Temple Terrace Community Development Corporation.

Government and infrastructure

Temple Terrace operates under a council–manager form of government, with an elected mayor and four council members. The city provides police protection through the Temple Terrace Police Department, while fire and rescue services are contracted from Hillsborough County Fire Rescue. Major transportation routes include Interstate 75 and Florida State Road 582. Public transportation is provided by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, and the city is served by utilities from Tampa Electric Company and Tampa Bay Water.

Culture and recreation

The city hosts annual events such as the Temple Terrace Arts and Music Festival and the Fourth of July celebration at Riverhills Park. Recreational facilities include the Temple Terrace Family Recreation Complex, the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club, and numerous parks along the Hillsborough River. The city maintains a public library branch of the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative. Its architectural heritage is preserved in the Temple Terrace Historic District, and it is part of the cultural orbit of the greater Tampa Bay Area.

Category:Cities in Florida Category:Hillsborough County, Florida