RANK #973 / 996 · POP 1,468,560 · FL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -4.0%
Hillsborough County, Florida, is a large area on Florida's west coast, with Tampa as its largest city and central hub. The county offers a mix of urban, suburban, and even rural communities, including notable towns like Plant City, known for its annual strawberry festival, and Apollo Beach, recognized for waterfront living. Commuting options within the county include the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) bus system, MetroRapid bus service, and the TECO Line Streetcar, which connects downtown Tampa, the Channel District, and Ybor City. The county boasts extensive natural amenities, with over 200 parks and nature preserves, and 700 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and other outdoor activities. Residents can enjoy year-round outdoor recreation due to the warm climate.
Life in Hillsborough County offers diverse communities and a range of lifestyles. The Hillsborough County Public Schools district is one of Florida's largest, providing various educational programs, including magnet and International Baccalaureate options. The economy has experienced growth, with major investment in sectors like education, energy, and infrastructure. The area attracts families, professionals, and retirees, with a strong job market in healthcare, finance, and technology. Tourism also plays a significant role, with Hillsborough County welcoming millions of visitors annually.
Above national median
Prices declining
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Community Investment Tax (CIT) Funded Infrastructure Projects
Hillsborough County
|
$1,340M | Planned |
|
City of Tampa CIT Funded Projects (Transportation, Public Safety, Parks)
City of Tampa
|
$783M | Planned |
|
Solar and Battery Storage Portfolio (Wimauma, Bullfrog Creek, Dover, English Creek, Riverside)
Tampa Electric Co.
|
$300M | Operating |
|
New Elementary and Middle Schools (Wimauma & Apollo Beach)
Hillsborough County Public Schools
|
$188M | Planned |
|
Southeast County Landfill Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Production Unit
Waga Energy
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Big Bend Natural Gas Power Plant Upgrade
Tampa Electric Co.
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hillsborough County has a Boom Town Index score of 2/100, ranking #973 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $70,612, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Hillsborough County is $294,900 with median rent at $1,413/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2394, which is less affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.7% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed -3.9% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.84% of Hillsborough County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.