Your Brandon, FL Real Estate Questions Answered

Since it’s an unincorporated suburb of Tampa, you may not have heard of Brandon, FL. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in Brandon. Featuring access to the entire Tampa Bay area, an extensive shopping mall, lots of golfing, and spicy local eateries with Mexican and Cuban-style cooking, Brandon is one of the undiscovered gems of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

If you’re looking for real estate in Brandon, FL, and there are plenty of reasons you should, you may find more opportunities than you anticipated. Get to know about Brandon real estate.

About Brandon, FL

Brandon is an unincorporated community of over 114,626 as of the 2020 Census. It takes its name from John Brandon, a settler who originally purchased the 40 acres that would lead to today’s community. His stamp is still all over the area, such as in the street names that reflect back on his family members. Small businesses come from its early families, like The Stowers Funeral Home, founded by John Brandon’s son, James. 

This area of Florida has a history that dates back to the Spanish explorers like Hernando de Soto. St. Petersburg, for example, is a popular tourist destination for people who want to learn about the Age of Discovery. 

In 1922, the population was only 100 citizens. Decades would go by before it experienced rapid population growth. Then, in 1959, the Brandon Chamber of Commerce formed, which helped promote local businesses. When Interstate 75 developed in the 1970s, the community became even more prominent because of how easy it was to travel into Tampa and Orlando. 

From then on, the city started to attract people to the area for its open lots and affordability. Today, its location about 11 miles east of Tampa and proximity to I-75, which passes through the western edge of Brandon, gives citizens access to the Tampa-St. Petersburg metropolitan area. 

What is the cost of living in Brandon, FL?

According to the Best Places Index, the cost of living in Brandon, FL is only slightly above average, scoring a 100.7 on the index, where a score of 100 represents average. The index lists a strengthening economy, a favorable winter climate, and an attractive downtown as key reasons to enjoy living in Brandon. 

What is the average price of a home in Brandon, FL?

As of July 2023,the median home listing for a home in Brandon, FL, is about $400,000, or about $222 per square foot. The median sold price for a home is $372,500 in the area, which suggests there may be some bargains to be found if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to search through what’s current in the Brandon real estate market. 

Data available throughout the Hillsborough County housing market show a median sales price of $275,000 on manufactured homes, $430,000 on single-family homes, and $300,000 on condos and townhomes in the greater metro area. This suggests an available property for every budget in the region.

Are there any condos or townhomes available in Brandon, FL? 

There is a wide range of real estate available in Brandon, and townhomes and condos are no exception. A quick search of available Brandon real estate, for example, yields dozens of available townhomes and condos, many of which are priced for less than $300,000. There are fewer condo listings currently available, at just over a dozen listings.

Are there any waterfront properties found in Brandon, FL?

Brandon resides on the east side of I-75, which separates it from Tampa Bay. In fact, it’s closer to Hillsborough Bay on the southeast side of Tampa, which is one of two inlets to Tampa Bay, combined with Old Tampa Bay to the west. 

There are some lakes, such as surrounding Valrico Lake on the east side of Brandon. Lakeview Village, a neighborhood within Brandon, has plenty of access to the snaking and narrow Mango Lake However, if you want to see a lot of water access, you’ll have to venture west towards the bay.

Are there golf course communities in Brandon, FL? 

While there aren’t any exclusive golf course communities in Brandon, you won’t have to go far to find golf. It is Florida, after all. 

What is the property tax rate for Brandon, FL?

According to Hillsborough County data, the millage rate for the area is 5.7309, which is just the general fund rate and does not include the school board or any special districts your address may fall under. Florida’s property tax structure can be complex, so learn more about it in our Florida property tax guide.

What county is Brandon, FL in?

Speaking of Hillsborough County, what do we know about this location on Florida’s Gulf Coast? The county contains the Tampa metro, making it a populous county with over 1.4 million residents in total.

It also splits the bay area with Pinellas County to the west, a highly urbanized county best known for St. Petersburg. That means that the entire metropolitan area can be found in more than one county.

Hillsborough County is vast in land size, encompassing Tampa and much of the area east of Tampa, which includes Brandon. While it’s 13th of Florida’s 60 counties for land area, it’s fourth for population. Its school system is in the top third of Florida public school districts. 

Is Brandon, FL growing?

Brandon is experiencing some modest growth relative to 2010, according to US Census data. The 2020 data suggests a population of 114,626, up over 10,000 from the 2010 census, when the area had 103,483 residents. That’s not too far from 10% growth over a decade. That’s certainly good growth, but there’s always potential for more.

What neighborhoods are in Brandon, FL?

There are a few distinct neighborhoods in Brandon. The area around Mango Lake in the northwest, as we’ve noted, is the Lakeview Village community. That’s not far from a district of single-family homes to the west known as Brandonwood, which can be found between Lakeview Village and the unincorporated area’s western boundary along I-75. Schmidt Elementary School is the local K-5 school.

Other neighborhoods include a gated community called Lake June Estates. It is, of course, built around a small lake to the community’s immediate south. East of that, Lakemont, includes a broad range of residences on the western side of Valrico Lake, which is also bordered by a community known as Valrico Village.

In the southeastern corner, there’s the golfing community of Buckhorn Golf Club Estates, though the golf course itself technically lies east beyond the Brandon, FL border.

How is golf in Brandon, FL?

There’s plenty of golf in the Tampa area, though Brandon is a peaceful village set in between many of these courses, like the aforementioned Buckhorn Golf Club to the east. Get closer to Tampa and you’ll find Bloomingdale Golf Course near highway 301, as well as the Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club in nearby Temple Terrace, FL.

What areas are near Brandon, FL?

Tampa is the big city to the west, featuring all sorts of major-league sports likeMajor League Baseball and the Buccaneers of the NFL. Across the bay, you have the community of St. Petersburg, also known as the “Sunshine City” thanks to its weather and idyllic Gulf Coast location. 

Up the coast from St. Petersburg, you can find Clearwater, FL, a city roughly of Brandon, FL’s population. In Clearwater, the spring training facilities of the Philadelphia Phillies are a major attraction, which highlights how popular professional sports are in the entire region. It’s equally well-known for its beaches.

What about inland? You can take I-4 up to Legoland near Lakeland or continue all the way to Orlando, FL, which is roughly an hour and forty-minute drive. That gives you access to Disney World, which is on the southwest side of Orlando, which makes it a more convenient trip for anyone driving up from the Brandon, FL region. 

In other words, Brandon is ideally situated if you love golf, major pro sports, or the occasional trip to Disney World.

What to know about living in Brandon, FL

You might see Brandon as being something of a crossroads on the Gulf Coast. Yes, it’s got access to Tampa, St. Petersburg, and the nearby Gulf Coast. Yes, it’s a short drive away from Disney World and Orlando. But there’s more to Brandon, FL than just a location on the map. 

It shares much of the same idyllic tropical weather as St. Petersburg, which makes it a comfortable place to spend the winter. And it’s got access to the entire region, which means activities like the Tampa Aquarium or the Brandon Mall, aren’t very far distances to travel. 

It’s an area dotted with all sorts of ponds and lakes, making for great fishing and bird watching, and can be a great alternative to big city living because it’s got a more relaxed, peaceful atmosphere as you move inland.

Looking to move into Brandon, FL? Contact a local real estate agent to find the right neighborhood for you.