Tampa Bay Population: 3.1 Million (2020 Census)

The Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) — commonly called "Tampa Bay" — had a population of 3,125,659 per the 2020 U.S. Census.

Ranking

• 2nd largest in Florida (after Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach: ~6.1M).
• 18th largest in the United States.

Core Cities

• Tampa (Hillsborough County): ~398,000 (city), ~1.5M (county).
• St. Petersburg (Pinellas County): ~258,000 (city), ~960,000 (county).
• Clearwater (Pinellas County): ~117,000 (city).

Growth Dynamics

• Fast-growing: +14% 2010–2020 (national: +7.4%).
• Drivers: Domestic migration (no state income tax, climate, jobs), retirement, corporate relocations (finance, tech, healthcare).
• Counties in MSA: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando.

2023 estimate: ~3.3M — continuing strong in-migration.