Is Ruskin Safe, Pros and cons of living in Ruskin

Is it Safe to Live in Ruskin?

Ruskin, Florida, presents a mixed picture regarding safety. The overall crime rate is reported to be 17% lower than the national average (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Violent crimes are 22% lower than the national average, and property crimes are 16% lower than the national average (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Your chance of becoming a victim of any crime in Ruskin is approximately 1 in 57 (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

However, crime rates can vary by neighborhood within Ruskin. Some sources indicate that the southern part of the city is generally considered the safest. Your risk of being a victim of crime can range from 1 in 62 in the southeast neighborhoods to 1 in 137 in the south (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). While some reports suggest a violent crime rate of 164 per 100,000 citizens, which is slightly higher than the US average, it’s important to note that most crime occurs in specific areas that are often avoidable (as reported by Moving to Ruskin FL). The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office serves Ruskin.

Cost of Living and Housing

The cost of living in Ruskin, Florida, is generally considered affordable, with an overall index that is 5% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by Moving to Ruskin FL). Housing costs are a significant factor in this affordability, with expenses approximately 26% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Groceries are one of the few categories where costs are slightly above the national average, by about 3% (as reported by Moving to Ruskin FL).

The housing market in Ruskin is described as somewhat competitive. The median sale price of a home was $364,000, showing a recent decrease in price (as reported by Moving to Ruskin FL). The median listing price for a home is approximately $349,900, with homes averaging about 72 days on the market (as reported by realtor.com®). For those looking to rent, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment is around $1,498 per month, and for a two-bedroom, it averages $2,119 (as reported by Moving to Ruskin FL). More recent data indicates the average rent in Ruskin was $1,824 last month (as reported by Redfin).

Economy and Employment

Ruskin’s economy is bolstered by several major employers, including Amazon, which operates a significant fulfillment center in the area, bringing numerous jobs to the community (as reported by Moving to Ruskin FL). Other key employers include Aspen Dental, Titan America, and HearUSA (as reported by Moving to Ruskin FL). The average salary in Ruskin is reported to be around $47,000 per year (as reported by Moving to Ruskin FL), although other sources cite the average annual salary as $41,161 (as reported by ZipRecruiter) or $64,604 per year (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert).

Employment in Ruskin saw a slight decline of -0.661% from the previous year, with the most common employment sectors being Retail Trade, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Finance & Insurance (as reported by Vertex AI Search). The unemployment rate in Ruskin is currently 5.86% (as reported by BestNeighborhood.org). The most common job groups for residents include Office & Administrative Support, Sales & Related Occupations, and Management Occupations (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

Climate and Weather

Ruskin, Florida, experiences a climate characterized by long, hot, and humid summers, with winters that are short, cooler, and windy (as reported by Weather & Climate). The average high temperature in the summer reaches around 90°F, particularly in July, while winter lows can drop to about 54°F in January (as reported by Weather & Climate). The area receives significant rainfall throughout the year, with an average annual precipitation of about 1228 mm (or 48 inches) (as reported by Weather & Climate).

July is typically the wettest month, with an average of 21.3 rainy days and approximately 226 mm of precipitation (as reported by Weather & Climate). December is the driest month, with around 36 mm of rainfall spread over 6 days (as reported by Weather & Climate). The period from June to September is considered the wet season, with a greater than 43% chance of a wet day during these months (as reported by Weather & Climate).

Education and Schools

Public schools in Ruskin, FL, show varied performance metrics. The average math proficiency score is 38%, and the reading proficiency score is 43%, both below the Florida public school average (as reported by Vertex AI Search). Schools in Ruskin generally have an average ranking of 2 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Florida public schools (as reported by Vertex AI Search). Minority enrollment in Ruskin’s public schools is 75% of the student body, which is higher than the Florida state average (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

Some of the top-ranked public schools include Lennard High School and Thompson Elementary School (as reported by Vertex AI Search). However, Ruskin Elementary School, serving grades PK-5, has consistently ranked in the bottom 10% of Florida elementary schools, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger, facing challenges such as high chronic absenteeism and well-below-average test scores (as reported by SchoolDigger). The student-teacher ratio at Ruskin Elementary School is 19:1 (as reported by Homes.com).

Demographics

Ruskin, Florida, has a population of approximately 29,834 residents as of 2024 (as reported by Vertex AI Search). The median age in Ruskin is around 35 years (as reported by Vertex AI Search). The racial makeup of Ruskin is diverse, with White residents constituting about 35.3%, followed by Hispanic residents at 33.6%, and Black or African American residents at 24.2% (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

The median household income in Ruskin is approximately $79,235 (as reported by Vertex AI Search), which is near the U.S. median. Approximately 13.8% of Ruskin residents were born outside of the United States (as reported by Vertex AI Search). The population is distributed with about 52.3% males and 47.7% females (as reported by Vertex AI Search). A notable portion of the population, around 8.3% of families, lives in poverty (as reported by Vertex AI Search).

Pros and Cons of Living in Ruskin

Ruskin offers a lower cost of living compared to many other Tampa area suburbs, making housing particularly affordable (as reported by Eaton Realty). Its location provides proximity to Tampa, offering a balance between a small-town feel and access to urban amenities, with a drive time of about 30 to 40 minutes to the city (as reported by Eaton Realty). Residents can also enjoy proximity to the water, with opportunities for boating and other outdoor recreation between Tampa Bay and the Little Manatee River (as reported by Eaton Realty).

However, the public school system in Ruskin faces challenges, with some schools ranking below state and national averages in proficiency and overall quality (as reported by Vertex AI Search). While overall crime rates are lower than the national average, crime can be a concern in certain neighborhoods (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Additionally, while the cost of living is generally affordable, grocery prices are slightly above the national average (as reported by Moving to Ruskin FL).

Major Employers

A significant employer in Ruskin is Amazon, which operates a large fulfillment center that has brought substantial job opportunities to the area since its opening (as reported by Moving to Ruskin FL). Other notable companies providing employment in Ruskin include Walmart, FedEx, McDonald’s, and Publix (as reported by Indeed.com). Speedling Incorporated is also recognized as a top company to work for in the Ruskin area (as reported by Lensa). These companies represent a range of industries, from e-commerce and logistics to retail and food services, contributing to the local job market.