• The Tampa Bay area encompasses the Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas counties.  Within these counties are thirty-eight municipalities, most of which are in Pinellas County.  Tampa Bay is situated on the Gulf of Mexico. 
• The population of the Tampa Bay MSA (Metropolitan Statistical Area) is the 20th largest in the nation and the second largest in Florida. 
• It is a tourist destination due to the warm climate,beautiful beaches and other tourist attractions.  Tampa Bay has a NFL Football team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were the 2002 Super Bowl Champions, a MLB Baseball team, the Tampa Bay Rays, and a NHL Hockey Team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, who were the 2003 Stanley Cup Champions.
• The Tampa Bay region is a beautiful place to visit, live and work.  Located on the west coast of Florida, the region is favored with nearly 700 miles of shoreline (including inlets). 
• Tampa is 90 miles from Orlando, 300 miles from Miami and 225 miles from Jacksonville.  Port access is available to Houston, New Orleans, Central America and the Caribbean.
• The areas year round great weather allows the growth of an expansive number of plant species.  In the winter the temperature will rarely drop below 32 F.  In the summer the temperature rarely exceeds 95 F. 
• A major concern for the Tampa Bay area is the threat of hurricanes.  The Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.  Tampa Bay has not had a direct hit by a hurricane since 1921. 
• Due to the warm weather the Tampa Bay area has always been a tourist destination.  The winter season also brings numerous seasonal migrants. 
• Due to the improved economic conditions and affordable living conditions, the region has been experiencing a boom.  Pinellas County continues to grow in population and is expected to reach approximately 1,188,641  residents by the year 2030.
• The local job market remains strong with a lower than average unemployment rate of under 6%.  The unemployment rate for persons between 25 and 65 is under 5%, indicating a strong demand for employment.
• In recent years the price of housing has increased dramatically, at a rate much greater than income.  The area is experiencing an affordable housing shortage. 
• The current state of the school system has been performing well in the region.  Florida's Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) scores in the region are above the state average.  For the 2--4-2005 school year the region graduated 19,729 students.  Fifty three percent of the region's graduates will continue their education.  The dropout rates for the region are below state average.
• Higher education in the region is provided by several four year public and private colleges/universities, as well as an extensive community college network.
• The best way to describe the development in Tampa Bay is corridors and dispersed development.  There are multiple employment centers, multiple housing centers, and a diverse mix of each throughout the region.
• Florida's Agriculture industry is one of the largest in the nation.  Florida specializes in citrus fruit.  In 2006 two out of every three citrus fruits grown in the U.S. were from Florida.  Last year Florida's market share was 74% of the total oranges, 58% of the total tangerines and 54% of the total grapefruits.
• When looking at extended time periods, the biggest total employment changes occur in the Administrative and Support Services, Healthcare Services, Government, Professional/Tech Services, and Food and Drinking places.  With the strengthening of the he economy in the region more Administrative and Support jobs will be needed.
• The region is linked by three major interstates, I-75, I-275 and I-4.  There are also a number of U.S. and State highways that serve the region, including: U.S 19, ALT. 19, U.S. 92, U.S. 98, U.S. 27, ALT. 27, U.S. 17, U.S. 41, U.S. 301, S.R. 60, S.R. 54, S.R. 52 AND S.R. 56.  The region also has the Suncoast Parkway. 
• The Port of Tampa is the largest economic engine in West Central Florida.  It handles approximately 50 million tons of cargo per year.  It is the largest in Florida and the fifth largest in the U.S., by cargo tonnage throughput.
• Five cruise lines operate at the Port of Tampa, ailing to Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica and other Caribbean destinations.  The Port of Tampa is also well known for its shipbuilding and repair facilities.
• The Port of Manatee is the third largest port of Florida in tonnage (10 million per year).
• The Port of St. Petersburg is primarily used for research vessels of the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of South Florida.  It is also the home to the St. Petersburg Sector of the U.S. Coast Guard.
• Port Sutton is also located in the Tampa Bay Region.
• The Tampa International Airport is the primary airport in the region and third largest in the state.  It experienced almost 20 million passengers last year through the 21 airlines that interact with Tampa International on destinations throughout the U.S.
• Eight other airports are located in the region; St. Petersburg-Clearwater International, Sarasota-Bradenton International, Clearwater Executive Airpark, Albert Whitted, MacDill Air Force Base, Vandenburg, Peter O'Knight and Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.
• The region has extensive freight rail services.  CSX Transportation provides long haul Class I mainline rail service for manufacturing, mining and agricultural companies throughout the region.  Through service agreements with other short line railroads, CSX reaches all major ports, and throughout the U.S. and parts of Canada.
• The region has only one rail for mass transit services, but is used primarily as a tourist novelty.  There are studies being conducted on the feasibility of expanded projects.
• The regional bicycle and pedestrian corridors include; Pinellas Trail, Bayshore Boulevard, Upper Tampa Bay Trail and the Suncoast Trail. 

For more Regional data contact the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.