Wesley Chapel, Florida

Geography

Wesley Chapel is located at 28°10′43″N 82°21′2″W (28.178688, -82.350676).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 6.1 square miles (16 km²), of which 6.1 square miles (16 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) (0.49%) is water.

Residents choose the area because of its proximity to Interstate 75 and Interstate 275, 25 miles north of Downtown Tampa, and other major locales. Adjacent to its south is the region of New Tampa, part of incorporated Tampa.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 44,092 people, 15,745 households, and 11,841 families residing in the CDP. There were 17,764 housing units . The racial makeup of the CDP was 74.97% White, 20.12% Hispanic or Latino, 11.39% African American, 0.25% Native American, 5.72% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 3.97% from other races, and 3.57% from two or more races.

There were 15,745 households out of which 40.19% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples living together, 10.75% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.8% were non-families. 18.58% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.13% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.22.

In the CDP, the population was spread out with 28.27% under the age of 18, 4.69% from 20 to 24, 32.58% from 25 to 44, 23.36% from 45 to 64, and 8.86% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35.2 years.

Growth

Originally called Double Branch for the area's twin creeks, the community was named for the Methodist chapel that stood on the northwest corner of SR 54 and Boyette Road. A popular nickname for the area was "Gatorville."

Since 2000, Wesley Chapel has grown rapidly. Newcomers from in and out of state have populated new luxury communities such as the Enclave at Wiregrass Apartments, Preserve at Quail Woods, Citrus Trace, Saddlewood, Brooksville, Bridgeview, Watergrass, Villages of Wesley Chapel, Seven Oaks, Country Walk, Meadow Pointe, Chapel Pines, Bridgewater, Northwood, Belle Chase, Saddlebrook, The Ridge, Estancia, Provence, Windermere Estates and Lexington Oaks. Several townhome developments have been built; Saddle Creek and Santa Fe as well as the new Atlis apartments behind Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. A new retirement community "The Beach House" is being built just east of Mansfield Blvd on SR56.

The area has two middle schools and two high schools, half of which are brand new. Two of three planned malls have now opened, including the Shops at Wiregrass and a big box mall called The Grove on the northern perimeter. Wiregrass is known for its well-reviewed restaurants, bars & shops. Cypress Creek Town Center & Tampa Premium Outlets are now open (2016-17) & continuously growing. Two new schools were built,in 2007 & 2008 Dr. John Long Middle School and [[Wiregrass Ranch High School. The newest of the two high Schools and middle schools is located in a community called Meadow Pointe. In 2016, Wiregrass Elementary opened its doors next to JLMS. In 2017, there will be another new high school & middle school campus opening north of SR 54, to relieve overcrowding. Pasco Hernando State College-Porter Campus has been open since 2013 next to WRHS.

Wesley Chapel has been a major catalyst in the rapid growth of Pasco County, 38th fastest-growing county in the nation. and retains much in the way of wildlife. Also as of July 2007, a new county park opened at the southwest corner of Boyette and Overpass roads. State Road 56 is currently slated to extend east from its current terminus at Bruce B. Downs Boulevard to a terminus at US 301 in Zephyrhills, of which the first phase has begun March 2008. Wesley Chapel was also listed as one of the "8 boomtowns of 2008" by the Gadberry Group's annual list. Wesley Chapel has a new hospital called Florida Hospital at Wesley Chapel, and Pasco-Hernando State College's latest campus, Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.