Seffner, Florida began in the railroad era as Simmon’s Hammock, and today it’s a close-knit community of established neighborhoods just east of Tampa. Mature oaks, local parks, and Armwood High School give it an identity of its own, apart from the busier commercial areas in nearby Brandon. Think Safe Insurance serves Seffner from our Brandon office, right next door.
Quick Takeaways
- Location: Seffner is an unincorporated community in eastern Hillsborough County, about 13 miles east of downtown Tampa, with Brandon to the south and Plant City to the east.
- Community Character: Established neighborhoods like Greenewood and Chestnut Forest, newer subdivisions, and a library and park along North Kingsway Road.
- Local History: Seffner began as Simmon’s Hammock and grew along the South Florida Railroad between Tampa and Plant City.
- The Independent Advantage: We’re an independent agency in neighboring Brandon, serving Seffner drivers and homeowners.
Seffner at a Glance
Seffner is an unincorporated community in eastern Hillsborough County, about 13 miles east of downtown Tampa. It covers roughly 3.8 square miles, with Thonotosassa to the north, Mango to the west, Brandon to the south, and Plant City about 10 miles to the east.
The U.S. Census Bureau counted 8,362 residents in 2020, up from 7,579 in 2010. Because Seffner is a census-designated place and not an incorporated city, it receives local government services through Hillsborough County.
How Seffner Developed
Before it was Seffner, the area was known as Simmon’s Hammock, named for Baptist minister Daniel Simmon, who came from Savannah in 1829 to start a Baptist mission. Henry Plant completed the South Florida Railroad through the area in 1883, connecting the settlement to Tampa and Plant City.
In 1884, Frederick P. Seffner established a post office and named it, and the community, after himself. Seffner became a refuge for Tampans escaping the yellow fever outbreaks of 1886 and 1887, and the freezes of 1895 wiped out most of its orange trees. The Hillsborough County historic resources report tells the full story.
Parks, Libraries, and Community Life in Seffner
The Seffner-Mango Branch Library at 410 N. Kingsway Road is a 15,000-square-foot public library that opened in 2009, serving Seffner, Mango, and surrounding communities.
Next door at 406 N. Kingsway Road, Seffner Comm”UNITY” Park & Gardens covers 24.64 acres with a community garden, gazebo, and walking paths. Between the two, North Kingsway Road is a great community gathering place.
The Mango Recreation Center at 11717 Clay Pit Road carries the Mango name but has a Seffner mailing address. It has six pickleball courts, two basketball courts, a playground, picnic shelters, an open field, and a 5-acre dog park, plus after-school and summer programs.
Living in Seffner
Seffner mixes established streets, updated older homes, and newer deed-restricted subdivisions. Neighborhoods include Greenewood, Lake Weeks, Chestnut Forest, and Estates at Parsons Pointe. About 89.8% of housing units were owner-occupied from 2019 through 2023, so most of your neighbors own their homes.
Lake Hooker and Lake Weeks lie just east of the community, and Lake Weeks covers about 53 acres. Along with the oaks that shade many streets, they give Seffner a landscape of its own.
Schools and Families
Hillsborough County Public Schools serve the area, including Armwood High School, Jennings Middle School, and Colson, Lopez, McDonald, Mango, and Seffner elementary schools. Attendance zones depend on your address, so confirm assignments with Hillsborough County Public Schools before you move.
Getting Around Seffner
Seffner sits between Tampa and Plant City. Interstate 4 runs east and west across the region, and local roads like Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (SR 574), Kingsway Road, and Parsons Avenue connect neighborhoods to the surrounding communities.
Brandon is the closest hub for shopping and services, with Tampa and Plant City farther out in either direction.
Think Safe Insurance and the Seffner Community
Think Safe Insurance is an independent Florida insurance agency based in Brandon. We compare coverage from multiple carriers for Seffner families and explain the differences in plain English.
Auto Insurance for Seffner Drivers
Whether you’re commuting toward Tampa on I-4 or SR 574 or driving around Brandon, we build coverage around your drivers, vehicles, and garaging address. Learn more about Seffner auto insurance.
Homeowners Insurance for Seffner Properties
From established homes to newer deed-restricted communities, we compare homeowners coverage based on your home’s age, roof, and rebuilding cost. Explore our Seffner homeowners insurance guide.
Flood Insurance for Seffner Homes
A homeowners policy excludes flood, so we help Seffner homeowners compare National Flood Insurance Program and private flood options. Read more about Seffner flood insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seffner, Florida
Where is Seffner, Florida?
Seffner is in eastern Hillsborough County, about 13 miles east of downtown Tampa. Brandon is to the south, Mango to the west, Thonotosassa to the north, and Plant City is about 10 miles to the east.
Is Seffner an incorporated city?
No. Seffner is an unincorporated census-designated place within Hillsborough County, so it receives local government services from the county.
How did Seffner get its name?
The area was first known as Simmon’s Hammock. In 1884, Frederick P. Seffner established a post office and named it, and the community, after himself.
What is there to do in Seffner?
Along North Kingsway Road you’ll find the Seffner-Mango Branch Library and Seffner Comm”UNITY” Park & Gardens, with its community garden, gazebo, and walking paths. On Clay Pit Road, the Mango Recreation Center has six pickleball courts, basketball courts, a playground, and a 5-acre dog park. Brandon is nearby for shopping and dining.
What public schools serve Seffner?
Hillsborough County Public Schools serve the area, including Armwood High School and Jennings Middle School. Attendance zones depend on your address, so confirm assignments with the school district.
Connect With Think Safe Insurance
Seffner is part of the community we serve from our Brandon office. Whether you’re buying a home, reviewing your auto insurance, or adding flood coverage, we can help you compare options.
Call 813-425-1626, schedule an appointment, or request a quote online.
When you think insurance… Think Safe!
 | Reviewed by Greg Martin Greg Martin has over 18 years of experience helping Florida families understand and protect their homes, vehicles, and other assets through homeowners, auto, flood, and specialty insurance. He is the owner of Think Safe Insurance, an independent Florida insurance agency. |
Last Reviewed: October 2026