Largo is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida along the Gulf Coast. As of the 2020 census, Largo had a population of 84,548 residents, making it the third largest city in the Tampa Bay Area.
Population and Demographics
According to the Wikipedia page for Largo, the city has grown rapidly in population over the past few decades. In 1980, Largo only had around 32,000 residents. By 2000, the population had nearly doubled to around 69,000. As of the 2020 census, the population now stands at 84,548.
Largo has a fairly diverse population in terms of race and ethnicity. The racial makeup of the city is 75% White, 15% African American, 6.5% Asian, and 12% Hispanic or Latino of any race. Largo has a median age of 45.8 years old, slightly higher than the national median age.
Economy and Major Employers
Largo has a robust and diverse economy with major industries including technology/medical devices, financial services, manufacturing, and healthcare. Some of the top employers in Largo are:
- Raymond James Financial – Financial services, over 1,500 employees
- City of Largo – Local government, over 1,200 employees
- Largo Medical Center – Hospital and healthcare, over 1,000 employees
- Honeywell – Manufacturing and technology, over 900 employees
Other major companies with a large presence in Largo include Ceridian HCM, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Technology Integration Group. The largest industries in terms of number of businesses are health care, retail trade, and accommodation/food services.
Overall, Largo has a strong and diverse economic base. The median household income is $51,492, slightly higher than the national median. The unemployment rate is low at just 3.1% as of June 2022 according to Data USA.
Landmarks and Points of Interest
Some of the most popular landmarks and points of interest in Largo include:
- Largo Central Park – Large park with walking trails, gardens, lake, amphitheatre, and recreation center.
- Florida Botanical Gardens – Beautiful gardens with thousands of species of plants and flowers.
- Largo Cultural Center – Performing arts center hosting plays, musical acts, and events.
- Largo Public Library – Large public library with over 165,000 books and materials.
- Pinellas Trail – Popular walking/biking trail spanning Pinellas County.
Largo has a vibrant arts and culture scene. In addition to the Largo Cultural Center, there are several live music/entertainment venues as well as public art displays throughout the city.
Sports
While Largo does not have any major professional sports teams, residents are big supporters of the nearby Tampa Bay Rays baseball team. Tropicana Field where the Rays play is just a short 15 minute drive from Largo.
For youth sports, the city operates the Largo United youth athletic program. This provides recreational leagues for sports like flag football, soccer, T-ball, and basketball. There are also several private youth sports clubs in the Largo area.
Demographics and Income
According to 2019 data from the U.S. Census Bureau:
- White – 75%
- Black or African American – 15%
- Asian – 6.5%
- Hispanic or Latino (of any race) – 12%
- High school graduate or higher – 91%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher – 32%
- Median household income – $51,492
- Persons in poverty – 13%
Compared to national averages, Largo residents are slightly more affluent and educated overall. The median household income is above the national median of around $50,000. The poverty rate of 13% is lower than the national poverty rate of 13.4%.