Seffner is a census-designated place (CDP) in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. The population at the 2020 census was 8,362, up from 7,579 at the 2010 census.

Located approximately east of downtown Tampa, Seffner is considered a suburb. Though still characterized by towering live oak trees, strawberry farms and lakes, Seffner has been growing rapidly in recent years, with housing subdivisions being added to the once rural landscape.

History

The area southeast of the present-day community of Thonotosassa originally called Simmon’s Hammock is now known as Seffner.  The Hammock was named for Baptist minister Daniel Simmon from Savannah, Georgia. Following the signing of the Treaty of Moultrie Creek and the establishment of Fort Brooke, Simmon set-up a mission to Native American (probably Seminole, Miccosukee, or Creek) people living near Lake Thonotosassa. This early settlement of Simmon's Hammock ended with the beginning of the Second Seminole War in late 1835.  However, the Armed Occupation Act of 1842 following the cessation of hostilities reponed settlement into Hillsborough County. Following the Dade battle, Major-General Edmond P. Gaines led a group of U.S. soldiers through Simmon’s Hammock on their way to investigate the incident.  In early 1836, Gaines reported that three homesteads in that area were burned to the ground.

Some historians claim that Seffner's streets were originally laid out in 1862, but not recorded as a plat formally until 1885.

Seffner's post office opened in 1884, when a new railroad line in the area had been planned (see Henry B. Plant). The community was named for its first postmaster, Frederick P. Seffner. That same year, Seffner's first school and store were opened. Seffner quickly became a prosperous small community with citrus groves, a hotel, one drug store, several dry goods stores, and a livery stable. When an epidemic of yellow fever hit Tampa in the fall of 1887 and in 1888, many Tampa refugees fled to Seffner for temporary shelter in the hotel. However, as refugees and mail arrived in Seffner, they were fumigated as protection from the epidemic. Among the refugees was T.C. Taliaferro of the First National Bank of Tampa, who operated a branch banking business from Seffner during the epidemic.

The cold in the winter of 1894–1895 brought disaster to Seffner. Many citizens left, while others remained to recoup their losses. Seffner survived and eventually regained its affluence. Attractive residential neighborhoods were built to accommodate the influx of desirable residents.

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 2,971 households in Seffner, of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.4% were married-couple households, 16.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 24.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The Mango Recreation Center has a large park with two basketball courts, two softball fields, a playground, and a 5-acre dog park. The Seffner Civic Center is a historical land site with a basketball court, picnic tables, a playground, and a large open field.

The Rodney Colson Sports Complex is a park with an open field, biking trail, and walking trail.

Wildlife conservation

The Life Fellowship Bird Sanctuary located in Seffner, affiliated with a local church. Birds and reptiles are kept there, and the facility is noted for its success in breeding rock iguanas in captivity.

Education

Public schools

Hillsborough County Public Schools serves Seffner.

Elementary schools

  • Colson Elementary
  • Lopez Elementary
  • McDonald Elementary
  • Seffner Elementary

Pruner elementary

Middle schools

  • Gordon Burnett Middle School
  • Jennings Middle School

High schools

  • Armwood High School

Private schools

  • Hillsborough Baptist
  • Impact Academy
  • Legacy Christian Academy
  • Livingstone Academy
  • Seffner Christian Academy

Notable people

  • Matt Joyce, professional baseball outfielder, raised in Seffner
  • Andrew W.K., musician, lived in Seffner in 1999

See also

  • Mango-Seffner, Florida, a single census area recorded during the 1980 census

References

  • Greater Seffner Area Chamber of Commerce