Moving to Plant City, FL: Living in Plant City Guide

Plant City is the small city at the east end of Hillsborough County that calls itself the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. Every March the Florida Strawberry Festival brings in crowds from all over the state, and for the rest of the year it is a working farm town with a historic downtown, a railroad museum and a population that keeps climbing.

It suits people who want more room and lower prices than Tampa but still need I-4 for work. Families, farm and food-industry workers, commuters heading to Tampa or Lakeland, and retirees who like a slower pace all land here. Home values and rents run below the Florida averages, and the city has grown by more than 10% since 2020, so you can choose between older bungalows downtown and newer homes around the edges of town.

Planning a move to Plant City? Call our Tampa team at 813-544-0048 or get your price online.

Where Is Plant City?

Plant City sits on Interstate 4 in eastern Hillsborough County, about 23 miles east of Tampa and about 12 miles from Lakeland, which puts it almost exactly between Tampa and Orlando. U.S. Route 92 runs through the center of town, and State Road 39 crosses it there. The city covers 27.58 square miles of land (2020 Census).

The town began as a settlement called Ichepuckesasha, was renamed Cork in 1860, and became Plant City on January 10, 1885, named for railroad developer Henry B. Plant, whose South Florida Railroad brought trade through town.

Approximate driving distances:

Tampa International Airport (TPA): about 30.4 miles, roughly 37 minutes
Orlando: about 61.8 miles, roughly 1 hour 4 minutes
Downtown Tampa: about 23 miles west on I-4

Plant City Airport, about 2 miles southwest of downtown, handles general aviation. For airline flights, most residents use Tampa International.

Plant City Population & Demographics

Plant City had 39,764 residents at the 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau estimates it reached 44,118 by July 2025, a 10.7% increase. It is younger than Florida as a whole, with a median age of 37.1 compared with 42.6 statewide. About a quarter of residents are under 18, which tells you how many families live here.

Measure	Plant City	Florida	United States
Population (July 1, 2025 estimate)	44,118	23,462,518	341,784,857
Population (2020 Census)	39,764	—	—
Median age (ACS 2024 5-year)	37.1	42.6	—
Residents under 18	24.0%	—	—
Residents 65 and older	14.4%	22.8%	—
Median household income (2020–2024)	$67,439	$74,568	$80,734
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	24.2%	34.1%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate	66.4%	67.6%	—
Persons per household	2.76	—	—
Mean travel time to work	28.2 min	28.0 min	—

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2020–2024 American Community Survey); median ages from Census Reporter (ACS 2024 5-year).

A few more Census details: 14.5% of residents were born outside the United States, 28.3% speak a language other than English at home, and the city has 2,062 veterans. The poverty rate is 15.0%, and per capita income is $32,286. At the 2020 Census the city had about 1,442 people per square mile, so most neighborhoods still have yards and elbow room.

Is Plant City Safe?

Plant City has its own police department, and conditions vary from one part of town to another, as they do anywhere. We did not find a recent, official crime report worth quoting, so the best move is to check the specific streets you are considering. Start with the Plant City Police Department. Homes outside the city limits are covered by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Drive the neighborhood on a weeknight and a weekend before you sign anything.

Cost of Living in Plant City

Plant City is one of the more affordable places to live in Hillsborough County. Incomes are a bit below the state median, but housing costs are lower too, and that is usually what tips the budget.

Home Prices

The Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes in Plant City at $291,800 (2020–2024), well under the Florida median of $359,000. Zillow’s home value index was $337,096 in data through February 2026, down 3.4% from a year earlier, with a median sale price of $306,233 and a median list price of $386,667.

Prices vary by neighborhood. In Walden Lake, one of the city’s largest planned communities, Redfin reported a median sale price of $399,807 for the three months through August 2026, up 9.5% from a year earlier, with a median of 41 days on the market. The median monthly owner cost with a mortgage in the city is $1,745.

Rent

Renting is noticeably cheaper than in Tampa. Apartments.com’s August 2026 data put average rents in Plant City at $934 for a studio, $1,287 for a one-bedroom, $1,589 for a two-bedroom and $1,866 or more for a three-bedroom, down 4.1% from the year before. The Census Bureau’s median gross rent for 2020–2024 was $1,409 in Plant City, compared with $1,669 statewide.

Best Neighborhoods in Plant City

Historic Downtown

The Downtown Plant City Historic Residential District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 12, 1998. It covers 185 historic buildings, mostly bungalows and Craftsman-style homes, in the blocks bounded by N. Drane, Thomas, W. Tever, Franklin and Carey streets. It suits buyers who want an older home with a porch, a short walk to downtown shops and the railroad museum, and a small-town feel. Expect older systems and the upkeep that comes with a 100-year-old house.

Walden Lake

Walden Lake started in the 1970s as a golf community and kept building homes into the 2000s, so you will find a wide range of ages and sizes. The golf course closed in 2013 after the club ran into money trouble, and plans to redevelop the land have been debated by residents and the city ever since. It suits families and move-up buyers who want an established neighborhood with a community association, mature trees and quick access to the south side of town. Ask about the latest on the old course before you buy.

Rural Plant City: Springhead, Turkey Creek and Beyond

Local real estate neighborhood guides list communities such as Springhead, Turkey Creek and Plantation Palms as part of the wider Plant City area. Outside the city limits the land opens up into farms, groves and homes on bigger lots. This is the pick for people who want space for a workshop, animals or a boat, and don’t mind driving a bit farther for groceries. If you are looking at acreage, ask about the driveway, road access and whether the property sits in unincorporated Hillsborough County.

Weather & Climate in Plant City

Plant City is warm most of the year and a little cooler at night than the coast. Using 1991–2020 normals, U.S. Climate Data reports an average annual high of 83°F and low of 62°F. January averages a high of 72°F and a low of 49°F, while July and August average highs of 91°F and lows of 73°F. Rain totals about 53.6 inches a year, with most of it arriving in summer thunderstorms.

Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30. Plant City is inland, but Hillsborough County expanded its evacuation zones for 2026 and mobile and manufactured homes countywide evacuate first. Look up your address at HCFL.gov/HEAT and sign up for HCFL Alert.

Best months to move: late October through April are the most comfortable. Try to avoid the Strawberry Festival dates in early March if you are moving near the fairgrounds or downtown.

Things to Do in Plant City

Florida Strawberry Festival

The Florida Strawberry Festival is the city’s big event. The 2027 festival runs 11 days, March 4 through March 14, at 303 BerryFest Place. Expect headline concerts, rides, livestock shows and a lot of strawberry shortcake. If you just moved in, it is the fastest way to feel like a local.

Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum

The Plant City Union Depot at 102 N. Palmer Street was built in 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It now houses the Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum, with a restored 1963 Seaboard Air Line caboose and a 1942 Whitcomb locomotive. Across from the depot, a train viewing platform that Trains magazine named one of the top 75 places to watch trains in the country sees 15 to 20 trains a day.

Historic Downtown and McCall Park

Downtown is the center of the city’s social calendar. Visit Florida notes that McCall Park, a linear park downtown, hosts monthly food truck rallies, and the Plant City Bike Fest is a monthly motorcycle showcase with live music. The Arts Council of Plant City and the Bing Rooming House African American Museum are worth a stop too.

Dinosaur World

Dinosaur World at 5145 Harvey Tew Road is a family favorite right off I-4. It has life-size dinosaur replicas along wooded trails, plus fossil digs and gem mining. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed Christmas Day.

McIntosh Preserve

For a quiet morning outside, McIntosh Preserve has hiking trails, wildlife viewing and a 30-foot observation tower, according to Visit Florida. Bring water and bug spray in the warmer months.

Edward Medard Conservation Park

Nearby, Edward Medard Conservation Park is built around a 700-acre reservoir where you can canoe, boat, fish and camp. It is a good first-weekend escape once the boxes are mostly unpacked.

Where to Eat in Plant City

Parkesdale Farm Market

Parkesdale, off I-4 at Exit 17, is famous for its strawberry shortcake and strawberry milkshakes. The shortcake is seasonal, served from January 2 through April 7. From November through March the market is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; from April through October it is open Wednesday through Sunday. It also sells preserves, citrus and plants.

Keel Farms

Keel Farms at 5202 Thonotosassa Road combines a farm-to-table restaurant with the Keel + Curley Winery, known for blueberry and fruit wines, plus its own ales and ciders. It also offers seasonal U-pick, tours and events. It is a good spot to take visiting family.

Fred’s Market Restaurant

Fred’s Market Restaurant at 1401 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is a local stop for Southern comfort food. Come hungry, especially after a morning of moving furniture.

Jobs & Economy in Plant City

Plant City’s location on I-4 between Tampa and Orlando makes it a natural spot for food, farming and distribution businesses.

Agriculture: Strawberries are still central to the local economy. Wish Farms, described as Florida’s largest strawberry producer, has major operations here.
Healthcare: BayCare’s South Florida Baptist Hospital moved into a new replacement hospital at 3202 N. Park Road in spring 2024 and has 204 beds.
Food and industry: Companies listed as investors with the Plant City Economic Development Corporation include Publix, Gordon Food Service, Wish Farms, Saputo, James Hardie and TECO Energy.
Education: Hillsborough College’s Plant City campus serves more than 7,000 students, and Hillsborough County Public Schools is a large employer countywide.

Many residents commute toward Tampa, Brandon or Lakeland. The average one-way commute is 28.2 minutes (2020–2024), about the same as the state average.

Schools in Plant City

Public schools are run by Hillsborough County Public Schools, which describes itself as the nation’s 7th largest school district. Plant City High School is at 1 Raider Place, and Durant High School, which opened in 1995, is at 4748 Cougar Path. Strawberry Crest High School in nearby Dover opened on August 25, 2009, to relieve crowding at Plant City, Durant and Armwood high schools, and was the fourth high school in Hillsborough County certified as an International Baccalaureate school.

Zoning depends on the exact address, so use the district’s Find Your Neighborhood School tool before you buy or sign a lease. For college, Hillsborough College’s Plant City Campus at 1206 N. Park Road offers 26 academic programs and includes the John R. Trinkle Center, a 25,000-square-foot event facility.

Plant City Quick Facts

County	Hillsborough County
Named Plant City	January 10, 1885 (became a city in 1911)
Land area	27.58 square miles (2020 Census)
ZIP codes	33563–33567
Area codes	813 and 656 (overlay; 10-digit dialing)
Nearest major airport	Tampa International Airport (TPA), about 30 miles
Main roads	I-4, U.S. 92, State Road 39
Public schools	Hillsborough County Public Schools
Nickname	Winter Strawberry Capital of the World
Signature event	Florida Strawberry Festival (March 4–14, 2027)

Moving to Plant City: Tips From Our Crew

Time your trip on I-4. If you are moving from Tampa or Brandon, I-4 between the city and Plant City can back up at rush hour. A mid-morning start usually gets the truck through before the afternoon crunch.
Check the Strawberry Festival calendar. The festival runs March 4–14, 2027, and traffic around the fairgrounds and downtown gets heavy. If you can, avoid moving near BerryFest Place during those 11 days.
Allow for trains downtown. The rail line through downtown carries 15 to 20 trains a day. If you are moving into the historic district, a stopped train at a crossing can hold up the truck for a few minutes. We build that into the schedule.
Tell us about long or unpaved driveways. Homes on acreage outside town often have long, narrow or soft driveways. Let us know when you call so we can send the right size truck and plan the carry distance.
Read the community association rules. Walden Lake and many newer subdivisions have associations that set moving hours, truck parking and rules for portable storage containers. Ask in writing before moving day.
Start early in summer. With July and August highs around 91°F and afternoon storms, our crews like to load first thing in the morning. It is easier on the crew and on your furniture.
Know your storm plan. If you are moving between June and November, keep important papers and medications with you, not on the truck, and have a backup date in mind in case a storm comes through.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Plant City

How much does it cost to hire movers in Plant City?

It depends on how much you are moving, how far, the stairs and driveway at each end, packing and the date. A one-bedroom apartment across town and a four-bedroom house on acreage are very different jobs. The quickest way to a real number is a free quote: call 813-544-0048, and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. You can also learn more about our Plant City movers.

Is Plant City cheaper than Tampa?

For housing, generally yes. The Census median home value in Plant City is $291,800, compared with $420,400 in Tampa, and Apartments.com showed a one-bedroom averaging $1,287 in Plant City in August 2026 versus $1,651 in Tampa in September 2026. Commuting costs can eat into the savings if you drive to Tampa every day.

How far is Plant City from Tampa and Orlando?

Plant City is about 23 miles east of Tampa on I-4 and about 62 miles from Orlando, roughly an hour’s drive. Tampa International Airport is about 30 miles away, or around 37 minutes without traffic.

When is the best time to move to Plant City?

Late October through April offers the most comfortable weather. Summer moves are common, but plan for heat and afternoon storms and book an early start. Avoid the Strawberry Festival dates in early March if you are moving near downtown, and keep hurricane season, June 1 through November 30, in mind.

Can you move me to Plant City from another state?

Yes. We handle long-distance moves with a binding estimate, so the price does not change after you book. You get your own dedicated truck, the same W-2 crew door to door and a guaranteed delivery date. We also offer storage if your closing dates do not line up.

Move to Plant City With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015. Owners Matthew Treharn and Amber Hallaman stand behind every job with the Owner’s Promise: you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60–90 days. Our crews are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors.

Our Tampa office serves all of Hillsborough County, including Plant City, for local moves, packing and unpacking, piano and safe moving and military moves (5% off for military). There is never a rescheduling fee (FL Mover Reg. IM3566). Read our reviews, visit our Plant City movers page, or call 813-544-0048.

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