Moving to Progress Village, FL: Local Guide

Progress Village is a close-knit community about 9 miles southeast of downtown Tampa with a history few Florida suburbs can match. Planned in 1958, it was Tampa’s first affordable housing suburb, built to give Black families in Hillsborough County a path to homeownership after redevelopment projects displaced many of them from their neighborhoods. Early residents moved into houses surrounded by cow pastures, with no street lights, bus service or phones until the Progress Village Civic Council pushed to get them.

Today, Progress Village is home to about 11,000 people. It sits right on Interstate 75, next to Riverview and a short drive from Brandon and downtown Tampa. It suits commuters, first-time buyers and anyone who wants an established neighborhood with a strong sense of identity. Its median household income is above Florida’s, and nearly half of adults hold a bachelor’s degree.

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

Where Is Progress Village?

Progress Village is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in Hillsborough County, about 9 miles southeast of downtown Tampa. It’s bordered by Palm River-Clair Mel to the north, Riverview to the east and Gibsonton to the south.

Boundaries: Interstate 75 forms the eastern edge of the CDP, and County Road 573 follows its western edge.
Nearest major airport: Tampa International Airport (TPA), on the west side of Tampa.
Area codes: 813 and 656. The 656 overlay started in February 2022, so 10-digit dialing is required.
ZIP code: 33619.

The CDP is compact. It covers 3.03 square miles of land and 0.22 square miles of water, and the 2020 Census counted about 3,697 people per square mile, a density closer to a city neighborhood than to the newer subdivisions farther east.

Progress Village’s early history is worth knowing before you move in. According to WUSF’s reporting, the community grew from “barely 100 people” in its early days to thousands of residents. One of the first homeowners, Emmanuel P. Johnson, ran the neighborhood’s first business, a concession stand, and later co-founded the Progress Village Civic Council, which pushed for street lights, bus service, mail delivery and phone lines. The community center was named in his honor in 2016. The University of South Florida keeps a collection of Progress Village records, including the 1958 master plan, in its digital archive.

Progress Village Population & Demographics

The 2020 Census counted 11,188 residents in Progress Village. It’s a younger community than much of the county, with a median age of 34.0 in 2020. It’s also well educated and comfortably middle class by the Census numbers: 45.3% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the median household income is $88,694, above both the Florida and U.S. figures.

Measure	Progress Village CDP	Florida	United States
Population (2020 Census)	11,188	—	—
Median age (2020 Census)	34.0	—	—
Residents under 18	21.5%	—	—
Residents 65 and older	9.1%	—	—
Median household income (2020–2024)	$88,694	$74,568	$80,734
Per capita income (2020–2024)	$40,636	—	—
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	45.3%	34.1%	35.7%
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	96.1%	—	—
Owner-occupied housing rate	64.8%	67.6%	—
Households (2020–2024)	4,356	—	—
Persons in poverty	7.4%	12.0%	10.2%
Mean travel time to work	27.2 min	28.0 min	—

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020 Census and 2020–2024 American Community Survey); median age from the 2020 Census as reported by Wikipedia. The Census Bureau does not publish annual population estimates for CDPs, so 2020 is the latest official count.

More from the Census: Progress Village has 852 veterans, and 20.9% of residents were born outside the United States. Women make up 56.7% of the population.

Is Progress Village Safe?

We didn’t find a recent, reliable crime data source specific to Progress Village, so we won’t guess. Because the community is unincorporated, law enforcement comes from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, which can tell you about a particular street. As always, visit the area at a few different times and talk with neighbors.

Cost of Living in Progress Village

Home Prices

Progress Village remains one of the more affordable places to buy close to Tampa. The Census Bureau puts the median value of owner-occupied homes at $286,900 for 2020–2024. That’s below the Florida median of $359,000, the U.S. median of $332,700 and the City of Tampa’s $420,400.

The most recent Redfin report we could open for Progress Village showed a median sale price of $320,000 in August 2025, up 8.0% from a year earlier, with 14 homes sold and a median of 34 days on the market. The median price per square foot was $220. With only a handful of sales each month, Progress Village’s median can swing a lot from month to month, so ask your agent for the latest comparable sales on your street.

For owners with a mortgage, the Census median monthly cost is $1,813. That’s the Census figure for all mortgaged homes, and recent buyers should expect higher costs because of today’s prices, interest rates and Florida insurance premiums.

Rent

Renting in Progress Village isn’t cheap. The Census median gross rent for 2020–2024 was $2,021, well above the Florida median of $1,669 and the national median of $1,413. That likely reflects the number of single-family houses for rent here, which usually cost more than apartments. For comparison, Apartments.com reported an average one-bedroom apartment rent of $1,651 in Tampa in September 2026.

Best Areas in Progress Village

The Original Village Streets

The heart of Progress Village is the neighborhood planned in 1958, where residents began moving in around 1960. One early homeowner’s 1960 mortgage was $56 a month. These streets still carry that history. It suits buyers who value an established community with a strong civic council. Expect older, modest homes that may need updates.

Around Progress Village Park

The 16-acre Progress Village Park on Progress Boulevard has ball fields, a basketball court, tennis and pickleball courts and a playground. Streets near the park appeal to families with kids in sports. Progress Village Middle Magnet School of the Arts and Jack Lamb Elementary sit on the southern edge of the community, which makes this part of the neighborhood convenient for school drop-offs.

The I-75 Side

Interstate 75 forms Progress Village’s eastern edge, which makes the eastern streets the fastest for getting on the interstate toward Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel or Sarasota. It’s a practical choice for commuters who drive the interstate every day. Visit at rush hour to see how much highway noise and traffic you’re comfortable with.

Weather & Climate in Progress Village

Progress Village has Tampa’s humid subtropical climate. Using NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Tampa International Airport, Current Results reports average January highs around 71°F with lows around 52°F, and July and August highs around 91°F with lows around 77°F. The area averages about 49.5 inches of rain a year over roughly 108 rainy days. Summer afternoons often end with a thunderstorm.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Hillsborough County made significant changes to its evacuation zones for 2026, including expanding Zone A in some areas and adding a new Zone E. Check your new address at HCFL.gov/HEAT and sign up for county alerts.

Best months to move: October through April. If you move in summer, start early to beat the heat and the afternoon storms.

Things to Do in and Near Progress Village

Progress Village Park

This free 16-acre county park at 8701 Progress Boulevard has baseball fields, a basketball court, tennis and pickleball courts, fitness equipment, picnic shelters, a concession stand and a playground. It’s the neighborhood’s gathering spot for youth sports and weekend games.

Bell Creek Nature Preserve

East in Riverview at 10940 McMullen Road, this 477-acre county preserve protects a wildlife corridor and native plant communities. Marked trails wind through mature trees and open grassland. It’s open sunrise to sunset, and leashed pets are allowed.

Manatee Viewing Center

Tampa Electric’s free Manatee Viewing Center at 6990 Dickman Road in Apollo Beach is a local winter tradition. Manatees gather in the warm-water discharge canal of the Big Bend Power Station. It’s open daily from November 1 to April 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with boardwalks, a 900-foot Tidal Walk, a stingray touch tank and a 50-foot observation tower. Admission and parking are free.

Tampa Riverwalk

About 9 miles away in downtown Tampa, the 2.6-mile Riverwalk connects Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the Tampa Museum of Art, the Glazer Children’s Museum, the Straz Center, the Tampa Bay History Center and Water Works Park. It’s a great way to spend a Saturday once the boxes are unpacked.

Florida State Fairgrounds

The 336-acre fairgrounds at 4800 U.S. Highway 301 North hosts the 12-day Florida State Fair every February, concerts at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre and events year-round. Cracker Country, a living history museum with 13 original buildings from 1870 to 1912, is a favorite with kids.

Where to Eat Near Progress Village

Progress Village is mainly residential, so most dining is a short drive away in Brandon, Riverview or Tampa.

Jesse’s Steak and Seafood

A Brandon institution since 1980, Jesse’s at 524 W. Brandon Boulevard serves steak and seafood, lunch specials and a full bar. It doesn’t take reservations, and your whole party must be there before you’re seated.

Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen

At 1721 W. Brandon Boulevard, Tibby’s serves Cajun and Creole classics, with a Sunday brunch featuring live music and bottomless mimosas. Happy hour runs 4 to 6 p.m. daily.

Columbia Restaurant

For a special night out, drive into Ybor City to the Columbia, founded in 1905 and billed as the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Florida. The family-owned flagship takes up an entire city block, seats about 1,700 guests in 15 dining rooms and hosts flamenco dinner shows.

Jobs & Economy

Progress Village’s location on I-75 makes it a practical base for commuters across the county. The Census average commute is 27.2 minutes.

MacDill Air Force Base in South Tampa, home to U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, has about 15,000 people working on the installation. Tampa General Hospital reports about 15,000 team members and providers systemwide. Downtown Tampa and the Westshore business district, which has more than 11 million square feet of office space and nearly 100,000 employees, are both reachable by expressway. The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council lists distribution and logistics, defense, financial services, healthcare, IT and manufacturing among the region’s target industries.

Schools in Progress Village

Progress Village is served by Hillsborough County Public Schools, which describes itself as the nation’s 7th largest school district. Two schools sit on the southern edge of the community: Progress Village Middle Magnet School of the Arts and Jack Lamb Elementary School. Magnet programs have their own application rules, and zoning varies by address, so confirm your zoned schools and any magnet options with the district.

For college, Hillsborough College has campuses around the county, and the University of South Florida’s main campus is in North Tampa.

Progress Village Quick Facts

County	Hillsborough County (unincorporated)
Founded	Planned in 1958; first residents around 1960
Population	11,188 (2020 Census)
Land area	3.03 square miles
ZIP code	33619
Area codes	813 and 656 (10-digit dialing)
Distance to downtown Tampa	About 9 miles
Nearest major airport	Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Main roads	I-75, County Road 573, Progress Boulevard
Law enforcement	Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Public schools	Hillsborough County Public Schools

Moving to Progress Village: Tips From Our Crew

Avoid I-75 at rush hour. Progress Village sits right on I-75, which gets heavy during weekday commutes. We schedule local moves to keep the truck off the interstate at peak times whenever we can.
Plan for tighter streets and older homes. Homes in the original section are more modest than new construction, with narrower doorways and less storage. Measure large furniture ahead of time, and let us know if a sectional or armoire might need to come apart.
Check your evacuation zone. Hillsborough County expanded Zone A in some areas for 2026. If your move falls between June and November, check your zone and keep a backup date in mind.
Military move? Ask about our discount. If you’re a service member headed to MacDill or elsewhere, military families get 5% off through our military moves program.
Remember it’s the county. Progress Village is unincorporated, so trash service, bulk pickup and permits go through Hillsborough County. Set them up before move day.
Book the elevator if you’re coming from an apartment. If your current building needs an elevator reservation or a certificate of insurance (COI), send us the details. We provide COIs for free.
Keep heat-sensitive items with you. Summer highs average about 91°F. Carry medications, electronics, candles and important documents in your car.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Progress Village

How much do movers cost in Progress Village?

The cost depends on your home’s size, the distance, stairs, packing needs and the date. A short local move from Riverview is priced very differently from a move from another state. For a real number, call 813-544-0048 for a free quote. An owner calls you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Is Progress Village part of Tampa?

No. Progress Village is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County with a Tampa mailing address (ZIP 33619). It’s about 9 miles southeast of downtown Tampa, and Hillsborough County, not the City of Tampa, provides local services.

What is the history of Progress Village?

Developers announced plans in 1958 for Tampa’s first affordable housing suburb, created to provide homes for Hillsborough County’s Black families after redevelopment displaced many from their neighborhoods. The original trustees included C. Blythe Andrews, Cody Fowler, James Hargrett Sr. and Perry Harvey Sr. USF keeps a collection of Progress Village records.

How long is the commute from Progress Village?

The Census Bureau puts the average commute for Progress Village workers at 27.2 minutes, slightly shorter than the Florida average of 28.0. The community is about 9 miles from downtown Tampa, and I-75 runs along its eastern edge. MacDill Air Force Base is in South Tampa, so test that drive at rush hour if you’ll be commuting to the base.

Do you offer packing and storage?

Yes. We offer full or partial packing and unpacking and short- or long-term storage if your closing or lease dates don’t line up. Ask our Progress Village movers to include both in one quote.

Move to Progress Village With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers is family-owned, and has been since 2015. With our 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. Every crew member is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee, never a subcontractor.

Our Tampa office covers all of Hillsborough County (FL Mover Reg. IM3566), including Progress Village, for local moves and long-distance moves with a binding estimate, a dedicated truck and a guaranteed delivery date. Learn more about our Progress Village movers, read our reviews, or call 813-544-0048 today.

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Moving to Progress Village, FL: Living in Progress Village Guide