West Tampa, Florida

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

West Tampa is one of the oldest neighborhoods within the city limits of Tampa, USA and a former incorporated city, located just west of downtown Tampa. As of the 2000 census, the neighborhood had a population of 22,008. West Tampa has one of the highest concentration of latinos in the city since its founding in the early 1890's.

1 History
2 Description
3 Demographics
4 External links

[edit] History

West Tampa was founded in 1892 by Scottish immigrant and successful attorney Hugh MacFarlane. He founded the town with the intention of luring the cigar industry and its workers. West Tampa was primarily populated by Cuban and Italian immigrants working in the cigar industry. It was incorporated as a city three years later (1895) with a population of 2,335, becoming the 2nd largest hispanic community in the state. Since its inception, the city was one of the fastest-growing cities in Florida. In 1900, it had more inhabitants than the city of Tallahassee and was the second largest city in Hillsborough County. It was one of the top cigar-making cities in the country during the early 20th century along with Ybor City. West Tampa, however, was absorbed by the city of Tampa in 1925 and became a city neighborhood.

[edit] Description

West Tampa is bounded by the Hillsborough River to the east, Hillsborough Avenue (U.S. Highway 92) to the north, Interstate 275 to the south, and Dale Mabry Highway to the west. The land area of the district is 9.7 square miles.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there are 22,008 people, 9,277 households, and 9,908 housing units residing in West Tampa. The racial makeup of the district is 73.7% White, 11.3% African American, 0.4% Native American, 2.5% Asian and Pacific Islander, 8.4% from other races, and 3.8% from two or more races. 51.6% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In West Tampa, the population is spread out with 6% Under 5 Years; 5.5% 5 to 9 Years; 10.8% 10 to 19 Years; 32.0% 20 to 39 Years; 22.7% 40 to 59 Years; 17.2% 60 to 79 Years; 3.3% 80 Years and Over. Out of every 100 females residing in the district, there are 93 males.