(Mar 26, 2023)
We've gathered the best the area offers so you can get an idea of what to anticipate from this Florida Peninsula community.
About Dade City, Florida
Dade City is located in the pasture lands and picturesque rolling hills of Pasco County. It's surrounded by Saint Joseph, San Antonio, Lacoochee, Blanton, Darby, and St. Leo communities. Here, folks enjoy a simpler and more leisurely way of life, far from the commotion of the busy cities.
The city has an extensive history. It should not be confused with Dade County, located in Miami. Dade City is in the larger Tampa area, slightly north of Tampa. In the 1870s and 1880s, a European-American town known as Fort Dade thrived nearby. But when the railroad was built a few kilometers to the east, business owners elected to relocate close to it.
The newer community adopted the name "Dade City." The name was officially recognized in 1884 when the local post office was renamed Dade City.
The city was officially incorporated in 1885 and again in 1889. It became the county seat when Pasco County was established from the southern half of Hernando County. This metro area includes Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg, which encircle Tampa Bay. The region is diverse and cosmopolitan, with a beautiful climate and a healthy local economy.
The eastern part of Pasco County, with Dade City as its heart, is set for business expansion and economic growth. A strong workforce, business-friendly administration, excellent transportation alternatives, and a high standard of living all contribute to the city's bright future.
It is also extremely close to larger cities, like Orlando and Tampa, allowing residents to enjoy a charming small-town life while accessing big-city amenities anytime they want.
Dade City residents have also taken it upon themselves to protect the town's landmarks and history. The gorgeous courthouse sits in the heart of the action, surrounded by tiny specialty stores, restaurants, and other enterprises housed inside old buildings.
Moving to Dade City, Florida
Dade City features a diverse range of properties, from Victorian townhouses to classic south Florida-style properties and modern designs. Talisman, Ridge Manor, Highland Park, Tara Woods, Victory, and Hillcrest Manor are some of the loveliest communities in Dade County, Florida.
But, before you buy or rent a property in one of these popular communities, here are some things you should know about the community.
Economy
Dade City has a 5.0 % unemployment rate (the national average is 6.0 %). The latest job growth is encouraging. Dade City's job market has grown by 2.4 % in the past year. Job growth is expected to be 44.3 % during the next 10 years, more significant than the national average of 33.5 %.
The average Dade City resident earns $ 7,371 per year, with a household earning $28,811 per year. These values are way lower than the national average for individuals and households. However, the sales tax rate is lower than the national average, and there is no income tax, meaning you can enjoy more of what you make as you want.
Demographics
The city is teeming with youth and young families. The median age is around 36 years old. The average family consists of 3.3 people, including parents and children. It is more diverse than the average city in the country or state.
The young population attracts a lot of companies and businesses looking for labor in the Pasco County area. It is a thriving business ecosystem with a varied network of private and public business executives. There's also a good mix of white-collar and blue-collar jobs as well.
The biggest employers in or near the city include the following:
- Pasco Clerk and Comptroller's Office
- A&K Energy Conservation
- Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative
- Ensurem
- AdventHealth Wesley Chapel
- Pasco County School District
Cost of living
Regarding day-to-day living expenses, moving to Dade City will result in lower than national average pricing.
The average housing costs, utilities, grocery items, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services are less expensive.
Real Estate
Dade City is one of Florida's oldest communities and has a rich history. It has beautiful historical neighborhoods, older homes, and fantastic up-and-coming young communities.
The city offers a suburban atmosphere, which might be appealing to families seeking more space for the money to raise children away from the noisy, densely populated cities.
The city is well known for its attractive architecture, featuring residences with well-kept yards. There are many classic south Florida-style properties, and they feature stucco exteriors and slate or barrel tile roofs. There are also modern-style townhomes.
The housing market in Dade City is moderately priced. The median price is $ 208,303, which is lower than the national median of $376,286 and the state average of $ 320,679. Dade City townhomes cost between $150K and $160K, while ranch-style homes start at around $25,000. Home appreciation over the last ten years has been 20.1 %.
Rent is also less costly. A studio apartment costs $904 per month, compared to $1024 in other communities across the state. A one-bedroom apartment will set you back $964 a month, while a two-bedroom apartment will set you back $1170.
The county provides several loan programs to help its folks obtain low-cost housing. These include the Hometown Heroes initiative, which provides frontline personnel $25,000 in DPA grants. There's also the USDA's zero-down mortgage program for families in rural areas.
Please speak with your real estate agent to learn about the many programs available and whether you tend to qualify for them.
Schools
Dade City education and schools have a "B-" rating, which is satisfactory on a national and state level. This community has high enrollment and graduation rates. Many factors contribute to the district's success, including a low student-to-teacher proportion and various possibilities for pupils to participate in extracurriculars.
Band, art, choir, and theater programs are just a few of the things the district sponsors. Organizations and clubs include Future Farmers of America (FFA), the National Honor Society (NHS), the Spanish Club, and the Quiz Bowl.
Academics are also a priority in the district. All students must attend core classes like English, math, social studies, and science. Additionally, high school students can pursue dual credit and Advanced Placement (AP) subjects to obtain college credit.
In general, the Dade City School District provides a fantastic educational setting. The district features high-quality services and a strong academic emphasis. The student-teacher ratio is approximately 17:1, and the high school graduation rate exceeds the state averages.
Climate and Weather
Dade County, Florida, lies in the subtropics, so expect sweltering summers and moderate winters. It may take a while to acclimate if you are not accustomed to this type of weather.
The typical annual temperature ranges between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit, rarely dropping below 45 or exceeding 93. Based on these data, the best months to visit Margate are March, February, and December, while the worst are July and August.
Another consideration is that Dade City is a small community. Although this can be a refreshing respite from the hustle and bustle of city culture, it also implies that there aren't many amenities or things to do. There's still enough to keep you more active.
Plus, it's only a few minutes from Tampa and Orlando, allowing residents to enjoy life in the gently rolling hills and farmlands while accessing the big cities' attractions and amenities whenever they want.
Top attractions and activities in Dade City, Florida
This city is filled with many family activities. These include:
Dade City Heritage Museum
The Dade City Heritage Museum is an excellent place for visitors to learn more about Dade City's history and culture. There are displays of artifacts and exhibits, and informed staff members give local knowledge and anecdotes about their own experiences.
Giraffe Ranch
If you've ever wanted to get up close with these tall, long-necked creatures but never found the opportunity to jet to Africa, this ranch has you covered. It's a wildlife preserve where the animals wander freely, just like in their habitats in Africa. You can feed giraffes at this wildlife sanctuary.
Other species, such as zebras and hippos, live here too. Additionally, you can take vehicle safaris, segway rides, and camel treks in the company of knowledgeable guides.
Treehoppers Aerial Adventure Park
Nowadays, adventure-minded thrill-seekers of all genders and ages are finding ziplining enjoyable. Treehoppers Aerial Adventure Park is Central Florida's premier aerial park and provides a new and unique way to experience this activity.
Several zip lines feature rope bridges, diverse courses, and climbing tasks. To move from one platform to the next, you must complete several obstacles first, which makes the adventure all the more thrilling. Trained personnel are on hand to assure participants more safety. They supply harnesses, too, at the same time.
Beach
Robert J. Strickland is the closest beach to Dade City. It's located just 28.20 miles away and has approximately 1,900 feet of shoreline area. Locals refer to it as "Hudson Beach." It is famous for swimming, kayaking, boating, and picnicking with live DJ music. But its sunset views are to die for, too. A beachside boardwalk and seawall allow easy access to the Gulf of Mexico. It is legal to fish here.
Alternatively, you can deploy your canoe or kayak from a suitable platform at the park's southern end. There's also a paved boat dock with extensive trailer parking and deployment facilities for motorboaters.
Pioneer Florida Museum and Village
Apart from the Dade City Heritage Museum, you can also check out the Pioneer Florida Museum for a step back into the town's history. It's a massive open-air museum in the middle of a forest and offers a gentle, magnificent look back in time.
When you arrive, you'll be transported back to discover how the early settlers lived and molded the community into the place it is today.
Visitors will discover how the pioneers carried out everyday tasks, including farming, creating furniture, and constructing homes. There are numerous restored structures on the property, including a train station, schoolhouse, and church.
A variety of exhibits feature artifacts, such as tools and household items. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and provides guided tours too.
Steph's Southern Soul Restaurant
Steph's Southern Soul Restaurant in Dade City is a popular self-service dining destination for both residents and visitors. They have various meal options, including fish, chicken, bread, meatloaf, BBQ ribs, and various veggies. The pleasant staff treats every customer as if they are family.
They also have various salads and soups. Post-meal desserts include classics like strawberry shortcake and key lime pie. These scrumptious menus keep visitors coming back.
Price Park
Price Park is a large recreational park located just off Meridian Avenue. It has playgrounds, tennis courts, racquetball courts, and other amenities.
It even offers a dog park for those who enjoy spending time with their pets. It's a lovely place to spend time with your children on weekends or holidays.
Where to live in Dade City, Florida
Dade City has a diverse set of neighborhoods. There are newer communities as well as historic neighborhoods with beautiful architecture. If you are looking for homes in Dade City for sale, consider the following areas:
Church Street
Church Street is a historic district in Dade City, Florida. It features brick-paved streets and stately, one-of-a-kind homes. The street gets its name from the many beautiful historic churches found here.
It is a charming community that attracts folks who can afford a home in the $250K-$300K price range. It has the advantage of proximity to the beautiful downtown, allowing convenient access to restaurants, parks, and shops.
Most buildings here are single-family Cape Cod, colonial, and contemporary-style properties. Many of the properties on the market are established old gems, but you can also find some newly constructed homes.
Top schools near Church Street include:
- Pasco Elementary School
- Pasco High School
- Pasco Middle School
- James Irvin Education Center
Highland Park
Highland Park is a Dade City neighborhood that offers homes in a variety of styles, sizes, and prices. It has a population of only 203 people, with more than 75 % holding a college diploma or higher. The area draws people who can afford homes in the $ 169,900 to $337,000 price range.
Most houses are medium- to large-sized single-family and multi-family dwellings. Most households here earn more than the national median household income.
Highland Park has four public schools rated excellent or better by GreatSchools. They include:
- Pasco Elementary School
- Rodney B. Cox Elementary School
- Pasco Middle School
- Pasco High School
Victory
Victory is a community in Dade City, Florida, with many lovely designs, various sizes, and reasonably priced house options. Victory homes for sale range in size from approximately 1,300 square feet and cost between $25,000 and $185,000.
Victory has four public schools that are rated excellent or better by GreatSchools. They include:
- Pasco Elementary School
- Centennial Elementary School
- Centennial Middle School
- Pasco High School
In Victory, you can find hundreds of restaurants and cafes and dozens of grocery stores where you can shop.
Wrap-up
Dade City is a lovely city in the Tampa Bay area. It is well-known for its attractive architecture, picturesque hills, vistas, lakes, and relaxed atmosphere. The weather is beautiful most of the year, and property costs significantly less than in most other towns across the state and country. Please contact us if you need help finding Dade City homes for sale.
We are real estate experts in Florida with extensive experience serving many folks relocating to the south for a quiet country lifestyle. Please get in touch with us if you require expert assistance.
(Mar 26, 2023)
