Tarpon Springs is a city in northern Pinellas County, Florida, set on the Gulf Coast within the Tampa Bay area and bounded to the east by the Anclote River. Its identity is inseparable from the sea and from immigration: the city became the center of Florida's sponge-diving industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when Greek divers and buyers — the first, John Cocoris, arriving in 1896 — built the industry that still defines the waterfront. Today Tarpon Springs is home to roughly 25,000 residents and has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the United States, a distinction visible everywhere from its churches to its restaurants. The historic Sponge Docks along the Anclote River are the city's heart. Once a working waterfront, the district now draws visitors to its Greek restaurants, bakeries, shops, and sponge merchants, while sightseeing cruises depart into the river and out to the Gulf. The annual Epiphany celebration, rooted in the Greek Orthodox tradition, is one of Florida's signature cultural events, drawing crowds to the bayou for the ceremonial cross dive. This living Greek heritage gives Tarpon Springs a cultural depth unusual for a Florida coastal community. Residential life revolves around the water. Neighborhoods such as Anclote River Crossings, Anclote Isles, and Anclote Point line the river and canals, offering Gulf access and a boating-oriented lifestyle, while inland districts hold established mid-century and older homes. Public schools are part of Pinellas County Schools, with Tarpon Springs Elementary, Middle, and High School serving the community. Tarpon Springs sits about 15 miles north of Clearwater along U.S. Highway 19, placing the beaches, arts institutions, and employment centers of the Tampa Bay region within an easy drive while the city itself keeps a slower, more distinctive pace. For buyers drawn to waterfront living, deep local culture, and Gulf Coast access, Tarpon Springs offers a rare combination of history and lifestyle.