Florida’s Crossroads – Why Mulberry, FL is the New Place to Be

Welcome to Mulberry, Florida, a quaint Florida town experiencing steady growth and development while still holding on to its small-town charm! With its rich history, central location close to Tampa and Lakeland, affordable cost of living, and attainable new homes for sale in Mulberry, FL, this city is primed for amazing growth in the coming years.

With all the growth, Mulberry officials and residents remain committed to preserving the aspects that make it a great place to call home. The high quality of life offered here will continue with the creation of a centralized downtown area with a variety of dining and entertainment options for residents to enjoy. Add in the new business developments, industrial growth and real estate opportunities, and Mulberry is – quite literally – prime real estate!

Learn more about the history of Mulberry, Florida and the exciting growth that’s occurring here:

History of Mulberry, FL

The city of Mulberry has a rich history, dating back to the late 1800s when phosphate mining began in the area. Mulberry was officially incorporated in 1901 and has consistently thrived since that time thanks to strong leadership and steady growth.

Today, Mulberry is known for its beautiful parks, recreational opportunities, and friendly community. The city’s population currently stands at approximately 4,700 residents – an increase of almost 15% over the past 12 years, illustrating the area’s steady and strong growth.

New Growth in Mulberry, FL

One of the most exciting developments coming to Mulberry is a new food hall, currently dubbed Depot 303, which is set to open later this year. Located inside the historic Mulberry train depot, the food hall is expected to include up to seven unique food vendors to please every palette.

Another recent addition to the city that’s already open for enjoyment is the Gem Theater. Recently renovated, this space is the ideal venue for live music, film screenings, and performances that will bring the arts to our town! A small sampling of upcoming events includes a concert featuring an Elvis impersonator, dinner and a screening of A League of Their Own, and more!

Mulberry is also set to see even more growth with the completion of the Municipal Hall Complex, which is slated to open next year. The complex will house the city’s administrative offices and provide a modern, centralized location for many of the city’s services, including City Hall, a civic center, cultural center/museum, and a Polk County sheriff’s substation.

In addition, two new industrial parks have been completed and businesses are moving in, providing new job opportunities for residents. The companies are generally focused on the construction industry, concrete, and pipe fabricating. Just a small sampling of the companies now calling Mulberry home include Land O’Lakes, Fuse Fabrication, EnviroServe, Family Fence Company of Polk, Riverhawk Industrial Supply, and more.

And we can’t mention Mulberry and business without mentioning that it’s the proud home of Badcock Furniture’s corporate headquarters!

Ease of Living in Mulberry, FL

According to recent data from Numbeo, the cost of living in Mulberry, Florida is lower than in many other cities in the state. The overall cost of living index in Mulberry is 85.6, which is significantly lower than the Florida state average of 101.8. Here’s a quick breakdown of how Mulberry's cost of living compares to other nearby cities:

• Lakeland: 94.8
• Tampa: 93.4
• Winter Haven: 88.6
• Plant City: 89.4

As you can see, Mulberry's cost of living is significantly lower than other nearby cities like Lakeland and Tampa, making it an affordable place to call home. This is due in part to the lower cost of housing and lower taxes in Mulberry compared to other cities in the area. In fact, Mulberry now has the fourth lowest tax rate in Polk County.

A convenient location with major roadways nearby also makes life in Mulberry easy. Whether you want to head to the big-city amenities or gulf-front beaches around Tampa on the weekend, or commute to nearby Lakeland for work, it’s a breeze thanks to the location. Our new homes for sale in Mulberry are just:

• One mile north of SR-60
• 6 miles from the Polk Parkway
• 12 miles from I-4

These routes allow you to access other nearby cities with just a short drive:

• Bartow – 8.5 miles
• Downtown Lakeland – 9.6 miles
• Brandon – 20 miles
• Downtown Tampa – 35 miles

New Homes for Sale in Mulberry, FL

Local businesses and government aren’t the only things growing in Mulberry – The real estate market is growing, too! With so much new business, development, and growth in the area, real estate values are likely to increase, making homeownership a wise investment for the future.

If you’re ready to invest in your (and Mulberry’s) future, look no further than Bridgeport Lakes, a lakefront community of new homes in Mulberry! Located adjacent to Loyce E. Harpe Park and Se7en Wetlands Park, Bridgeport Lakes is considered by locals to be the “Ultimate Outdoor Community.” Homeowners enjoy access to the amenities found within the park, as well as those within the community itself, including open space, wetlands conservation, and sparkling blue lakes.

Priced from the $310’s, the homes at Bridgeport Lakes offer 3 to 6 bedrooms, up to 3.5 bathrooms, and 1,486 to 3,141 square feet of living space. Enjoy desirable features such as open-concept living space, a luxurious owner’s suite, and flexible-use rooms.

With its controlled and well-planned growth, the city of Mulberry, Florida is truly invested in its future. Highland Homes is proud to contribute to that growth and development with Bridgeport Lakes, currently the largest neighborhood in the city! To learn more about living in Mulberry, Florida or calling Bridgeport Lakes home, call or email our Mulberry New Home Specialists today!