Gibsonton, sometimes nicknamed Gibtown, is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Hillsborough County, Florida, United States. U.S. Route 41 runs through the center of the community. The population was 14,234 at the 2010 census, up from 8,752 at the 2000 census. Gibsonton was famous as a sideshow wintering town, where various people in the carnival and circus businesses would spend the off season, placing it near the winter home for the Ringling Brothers Circus at Tampa, Sarasota and Venice in various times. It was home to Percilla the Monkey Girl, the Anatomical Wonder, and the Lobster Boy. Siamese twin sisters ran a fruit stand here. At one time, it was the only post office with a counter for dwarfs. Aside from the agreeable winter climate, Gibsonton offered unique circus zoning laws that allowed residents to keep elephants and circus trailers on their front lawns. Gibsonton was founded by James Gibson Sr., from Greenville, Alabama, in 1884. He homesteaded 150 acres at the mouth of the Alafia River, stretching to the east for approximately a half a mile along the south bank of the river. Gibson, along with Granville Platt and F.L. Henderson, became trustees of a school erected in 1888. Geography Gibsonton is located in south-central Hillsborough County at (27.837894, −82.374070). It is bordered to the north and the east by Riverview, to the south by Apollo Beach, and to the west by Hillsborough Bay. The unincorporated community of East Tampa is in the northern part of the CDP, north of the Alafia River, and Adamsville is in the southern part. U.S. Route 41 runs through the center of Gibsonton, leading north to the east side of Tampa and south to Bradenton. Interstate 75 crosses the eastern part of Gibsonton, with access from Exits 246 and 250. I-75 leads north to the Brandon area and south 30 miles to Bradenton. According to the United States Census Bureau, the Gibsonton CDP has a total area of , of which are land and , or 17.10%, are water. Demographics As of the census of 2010, there were 14,234 people living in the community. The racial makeup of the community was 72.80% White, 12.68% African American, 0.58% Native American, 1.78% Asian, 0.11% Pacific Islander, 8.96% from other races, and 3.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.88% of the population. There were 3,112 households, out of