The City of Plant City is 25 miles east of Tampa, 50 miles west of Orlando, and a stone’s throw from Lakeland. Plant City covers 32 square miles and holds a population of more than 38,000.
According to the tracking of the city offices, 224 single-family home permits were issued in 2021, 490 in 2022, and 718 in 2023. This trending development will continue to rapidly grow the population.
Why all of these new homes? What draws people to our town? Why have current residents chosen to call Plant City home? The Observer took to the streets to find out.
In an informal survey, we asked, “Why do you live in Plant City?” Here are the most common reasons.
Twenty percent reside in Plant City because they enjoy the historic, small-town feel. “The redone downtown is a nice place to walk around,” Mary Celeste said.” And she enjoys “the friendly, Southern, polite people.” James Brown, who volunteers at the Plant City Photo Archives, said the first time he drove through Plant City, he “…loved the historic feel and older homes.” Also, the railroad and farms are similar to the town where he grew up. So, years later when he had the chance, James moved here.
Sixteen percent live here because of the quiet feel and slower pace of life. Contrasting Plant City to the lives of his family in New York City, Reese Clark, said, “The city sleeps.” Desiree Rangel likes the, “…quiet…” of Plant City.
Reese Clark and Desiree Rangel enjoying downtown Plant City
In a related reason, eight percent moved here to escape city traffic. Adam Saunders’ thinking is, “I like the rural feel, but I want to be near Tampa…” to access what the urban area has to offer.
Twelve percent of those who answered the question moved for jobs in Plant City at businesses such as Del Monte Foods and C&S. In another example, Frances Jimenez and her husband recently opened Silver Heart Adult Daycare and relocated to live near their business.
Sixteen percent also moved here for various reasons related to location. A nicer area, access to family, and a job that requires travel to both Tampa and Orlando made Plant City a smart place for them to live.
Another twenty percent of respondents indicated they live in Plant City because “I was born and raised here.” Even when some moved away, they returned because Plant City is home to them. Connie Dasher, a 1976 Plant City High School graduate, moved to the Buffalo New York area for a few years. But, with her mother, she moved back and is happy to be in Plant City again.
Finally, eight percent said new housing is the primary reason they transplanted here. Robert said he could buy a new home in Plant City for the same amount of money as an older house that would soon need repairs in areas such as Brandon and Riverview.
Other mentioned favorites about Plant City are ease of access to shopping and restaurants and Main Street’s Last Friday events.
Almost all of these residents surveyed love, love, love Plant City. So, it is no surprise the population growth is accelerating so quickly.