Tampa Bay by the numbers
- Hillsborough County had an estimated 1,574,115 residents on July 1, 2025, up 7.8% from the April 2020 estimates base. Source
- The City of Tampa had an estimated 413,554 residents on July 1, 2025, about 7.3% above its April 2020 base. Source
- The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro had about 3.42 million residents (3,418,895), making it the 17th-largest U.S. metro area. Source
- The Tampa Bay metro is Florida's second-largest, behind only Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach (UF BEBR estimate). Source
- The Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro unemployment rate was 4.8% in July 2026 (not seasonally adjusted), against a national rate of 4.4%. Source
- Port Tampa Bay generates about $34.6 billion in annual economic value and supports 192,201 jobs, 16,119 of them direct (2023 Martin Associates study). Source
- Port Tampa Bay calls itself Florida's largest and most diverse port, handling about 33 million tons of cargo a year across roughly 5,000 acres. Source
- MacDill AFB, home of the 6th Air Refueling Wing, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, had a $4.1 billion economic impact in FY2023 ($5.7 billion including retirees). It counted 15,390 people working on base. Source
Where to get help
These public agencies and nonprofits do the heavy lifting on site selection, incentives, training and small business advice. Most of their help is free.
Tampa Bay Economic Development Council (Tampa Bay EDC)
Hillsborough County's lead agency for attracting and expanding companies. It supports site selection and relocation and publishes market data. Funding comes from 100+ companies, Hillsborough County, and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace.
- Address
- 101 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 2000, Tampa, FL 33602
- Phone
- (813) 218-3300
- Website
- tampabayedc.com
Hillsborough County Economic Development
County department that runs incentive programs, workshops and training, and helps with business relocation and expansion.
- Website
- hcfl.gov
City of Tampa Development & Economic Opportunity
City department for development and economic opportunity. The old 'Economic & Urban Development' URL now redirects here. Its detailed program list was not read.
- Address
- 306 E. Jackson St., Tampa, FL 33602 (City Hall complex)
- Website
- tampa.gov
Tampa Bay Partnership
Coalition of regional business leaders that researches and advocates on region-wide issues affecting Tampa Bay's economy and residents.
- Website
- tampabay.org
Florida SBDC at USF (SBDC Tampa Bay)
Free business consulting, training and market research for small businesses in 10 counties, including Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco and Polk. Part of the Florida SBDC Network.
- Address
- USF CONNECT, 3802 Spectrum Blvd., Suite 201, Tampa, FL 33612
- Phone
- 813-396-2700
- Website
- sbdctampabay.com
Entrepreneur Collaborative Center (ECC), Hillsborough County
County-run center for entrepreneurs, with business workshops and training and bookable meeting rooms.
- Address
- 2101 E. Palm Ave., Tampa, FL 33605
- Phone
- (813) 204-9267
- Website
- hcfl.gov
SCORE Tampa Bay
Volunteer mentors who give small businesses free one-on-one advice, plus workshops.
- Website
- score.org
FloridaCommerce (Florida Department of Commerce)
The state's economic development agency. It was created in 2023 by renaming the Department of Economic Opportunity and folding in Enterprise Florida's and VISIT FLORIDA's functions, and it administers state business incentives.
- Website
- floridajobs.org
SelectFlorida
Public-private partnership that succeeded Enterprise Florida, Inc. It focuses on international trade and helping Florida companies export.
- Website
- selectflorida.org
Find local partners
New to the area or setting up an office? Our Tampa business directory lists local companies with real contact details, and our hiring guides cover the calls owners make most:
- Best coin buyers in Tampa
- Best rat control companies in Tampa
- Best water damage restoration companies in Tampa
To connect with other owners, see the chambers of commerce in Tampa Bay and local leadership programs.
The Tampa Register is an independent publication and is not a government agency or chamber of commerce.