Tampa
RANK #916 / 996 NAT · #33 / 41 FL · POP 1,468,560
1YR FORECAST: -2.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +11%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
The data is not encouraging — Hillsborough County scores just 7/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #916 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.2% and median household income of $70,612 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Hillsborough County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $294,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,413/month on average.
Hillsborough County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.7% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.2% clip. Home values shifted -3.9% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.84% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Hillsborough County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.