Riverview is a large unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, Florida, positioned on the Alafia River southeast of Tampa and directly south of Brandon. Its roots trace to 1885, when a settlement formed on the river's north shore, but the community's dramatic growth is a recent story: the population climbed from about 71,000 in 2010 to more than 107,000 by the 2020 census, making Riverview one of the most populous unincorporated places in the state. That expansion transformed a quiet riverside settlement into a sprawling family-oriented suburb tied to the Tampa Bay economy. The I-75 corridor and U.S. 301 anchor the area's transportation network, putting downtown Tampa, Ybor City, Brandon, and MacDill Air Force Base within a manageable commute. Riverview's character is defined by its network of subdivisions, gated communities, and master-planned neighborhoods, many built around the area's lakes, wetlands, and the Alafia River. Shopping centers and commercial districts along U.S. 301 and Bloomingdale Avenue serve residents' daily needs, while the river and surrounding conservation lands offer boating, kayaking, and trail recreation. Riverview's growth has been powered by Tampa Bay's expansion and by the availability of relatively affordable, newer housing compared with closer-in neighborhoods. The community draws a mix of young families, military personnel connected to MacDill Air Force Base, and professionals who commute across the bay. Its schools, community pools, and sports leagues support an active family culture, while the Alafia River and surrounding conservation lands give the area an outdoor dimension unusual for such a large suburban place. Commercial growth has followed residential development, with grocery stores, medical offices, and restaurants spreading along the main corridors. Though unincorporated and governed by Hillsborough County, Riverview functions as a complete residential community with its own schools, parks, and commercial core, and it remains one of the fastest-expanding residential areas on Tampa's east side.