Brandon is an unincorporated census-designated place located in Hillsborough County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the community had a total population of 77,895. However, a 2004 estimate by Rand McNally placed the community at 85,529. While there have been several attempts to incorporate Brandon, these attempts have received little fanfare from those in the community. In 1997, Brandon became the largest unincorporated community in the state of Florida.

Brandon's census boundaries include Interstate 75 to the west, Valrico and Bloomingdale to the east, Riverview to the south, and Mango and Seffner to the north. The zip codes that served the area are 33509 (P.O. Station), 33510, and 33511.

Brandon is located at 27'56'5" North, 82'17'21" West (27.934651, -82.289078)GR1, which places it approximately midway between Tampa and Plant City and easily accessible from Interstate 4 and Interstate 75.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the community has a total area of 75.9 km? (29.3 mi?). 74.4 km? (28.7 mi?) of it is land and 1.5 km? (0.6 mi?) of it is water. The total area is 1.95% water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 77,895 people, 28,807 households, and 21,374 families residing in the community. The population density was 1,047.2/km? (2,712.3/mi?). There were 30,485 housing units at an average density of 409.8/km? (1,061.5/mi?). The racial makeup of the community was 81.90% White, 9.26% African American, 0.40% Native American, 2.39% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 3.43% from other races, and 2.52% from two or more races. 12.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 28,807 households out of which 38.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 19.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the community the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 8.5% from 18 to 24, 33.5% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.9 males.

The median income for a household in the community was $51,639, and the median income for a family was $56,931. Males had a median income of $37,454 versus $28,935 for females. The per capita income for the community was $22,080. 5.4% of the population and 3.9% of families were below the poverty line. 5.7% of those under the age of 18 and 5.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

History

Brandon, FL was named after the settler, John Brandon, who founded the town in the 1850's. The Railroad first arrived in 1890 and the depot was stationed on present-day Moon Avenue. Its first census came in 1960 when the community's population was only 1,655.

Brandon's Population History from the U.S. Census Bureau

1960......1,655

1970.....12,749

1980.....41,826

1990.....57,985

2000.....77,895