Westchase, Florida


Westchase is a census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. The population was 21,747 at the 2010 census, up from 11,116 at the 2000 census. The census area encompasses most of the 33626 ZIP code area.

Description

Westchase is located halfway between Tampa and Palm Harbor. Its boundaries include Oldsmar to the west, Keystone to the north, Town 'n' Country to the south, and Citrus Park to the east. Westchase Golf Course is a major recreational amenity for the community. Tampa Bay Downs, a horse racetrack, is located on the area's western edge.

History

Westchase was founded in 1991 with the approval of the Hillsborough County commissioners.

Geography

Westchase is located in northwestern Hillsborough County at (28.052799, -82.611352, about northwest of downtown Tampa. It is bordered to the west by Pinellas County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Westchase CDP has a total area of, of which are land and, or 8.04%, are water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 21,747 people living in the community. The population density was 2,203 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the community was 82.5% White, 5.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 6.6% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, and 3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 15.5% of the population.
There were 9,244 households in Westchase. The average household size was 2.55.
The median income for a household in the community was $88,964. The median home value was $326,200.

Community association

The Westchase Community Association is the largest deed-restricted community within the Westchase census-designated place. The community is organized into 28 neighborhoods, or villages. Some of these villages are organized into even smaller subsections. Each of these villages and their "sub-villages" are represented by a voting member and at least one alternate who are elected annually by the residents of a particular neighborhood. Some of the villages also have a website that is maintained by a "village webmaster". Residents are encouraged to participate by attending website committee meetings or providing material to help improve the website to the webmaster.

Community development districts

Westchase was established with two Community Development Districts. CDDs are statutorily created governmental entities charged with the task of maintaining the common areas of planned communities. In September 2011, the two CDDs agreed to merge. The state approved the merger and it became effective October 1, 2011.

The villages

West Park Village, with two town centers, is a walkable mixed-use area in Westchase with shops, bars, restaurants and village greens, as well as condos, townhomes, houses, and apartments with varied resident ages. Some of the most highly rated bars in the Tampa area are located here. West Park Village has a distinct look which was inspired by historic Hyde Park in South Tampa. The area has a summer concert series, nightly specials at the different village restaurants, and an annual pub crawl.. Westchase ranked as the 26th coolest suburb in the United States worth a visit by Travel + Leisure magazine.