A boardwalk over a pond, shaded by oaks, at Rocky Bluff in Ellenton.

North of the River

Ellenton

Manatee County, Florida

Photo Paul R. Burley, via Wikimedia Commons · Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0

Ellenton sits on the north bank of the Manatee River at Interstate 75, and it is best known regionally for the outlet mall and the Gamble Plantation historic site. Residentially it is a mix of older housing, a number of manufactured home communities, and newer subdivisions filling in around them.

The interstate position makes it one of the more convenient points in the county for driving anywhere else in the region.

To the Beach
About 35 to 40 minutes
What Was Built Here
Mid century, manufactured housing communities, newer subdivisions

The Details

What defines Ellenton.

  • Immediate Interstate 75 access, with Tampa and Sarasota both reachable quickly
  • The Gamble Plantation Historic State Park, the oldest structure in the area
  • Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex
  • A significant amount of manufactured housing inventory
  • Manatee River frontage on the southern edge

Questions

What people ask me about Ellenton.

What should I know about buying in a manufactured home community?

Whether you own the land or lease it, first, because that changes everything about financing, resale, and monthly cost. Land lease communities carry a monthly lot rent that can rise, and financing on the home itself is generally not a conventional mortgage. These are legitimate options for the right buyer, but they need to be understood before rather than after.

Is Ellenton a good commuter location?

It is among the better ones in the county for that purpose. Sitting at Interstate 75 on the north side of the river puts Tampa, St Petersburg, and Sarasota all within a reasonable drive. That is the main reason people choose it over areas closer to the beach.

How much new construction is there?

Less than Parrish immediately to the northeast, but it has been increasing as that corridor fills in. Inventory here is more mixed than in the newer master planned areas, which means more variety and more careful comparable sales work.