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Hillsborough County

FL · Pop. 1,489,634 · Urban County

38/100Homestead Score

Hillsborough County, Florida covers 1,023 square miles with a population of 1,489,634 and a density of 1456.1 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, tomatoes, haylage. A median home price of $333,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.84% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 361-day growing season, average summer highs of 90°F and average winter lows of 53.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.3 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Tampa General Hospital is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.84%
Growing Season: 361 days
Broadband: 96.2%
Density: 1456.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 361-day growing season in USDA zone 10a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.84% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Tampa General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 5.7 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low unemployment rate of 4% reflects a stable local job base.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • At 1456.1 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Hillsborough County, FL is a challenging place to homestead on the data.

Homestead score
38/100
Median home price
$333k
Property tax
0.84%
Growing season
361 days (zone 10a)
Annual rainfall
46.3"
Broadband
96.2%
Nearest hospital
Tampa General Hospital, 5.7 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.84%
Median Household Income$75,011
Poverty Rate13.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$333K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone10a
Growing Season361 days
Annual Rainfall46.3 inches
Avg Summer High90°F
Avg Winter Low53.4°F
Top CropsHay, Tomatoes, Haylage

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought9/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado10/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalTampa General Hospital (5.7 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities22

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.2%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Hillsborough County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Hillsborough County?
Hillsborough County is in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 361-day growing season, average summer highs of 90°F, and average winter lows of 53.4°F. The established crops are hay, tomatoes, haylage.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $333,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.84%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.2% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Tampa General Hospital is 5.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 22 hospitals in the county.

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Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.