Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County is located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. Its population is approximately 1,178,000 making Hillsborough County the 4th most populated county in Florida.
Tampa is the largest city in Hillsborough County and the County seat.
Hillsborough County has reputable universities, medical services and fun recreational opportunities. The area is home to the University of South Florida, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Busch Gardens, and professional sports teams like NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, MLB Tampay Bay Rays, and NHL Tampa Bay Lightning.
Hillsborough County Table of Contents
- Area Code & Zip Code
- Cities in Hillsborough County
- County Map
- Tax Collector & Property Appraiser
- Jobs
- Hospitals
- State Parks
- Sheriff, Jail, and Attorneys
Recent Updates
Hillsborough County Map
This map of Hillsborough County shows Tampa on the west side of the county, Plant City on the east side, and Lutz to the north.
Hillsborough County is bordered by Pinellas County (home to St Petersburg and Clearwater) to the West, Manatee County to the South, Polk County to the East, and Pasco County to the North.
Area Codes and Zip Codes for Hillsborough County
The area code for Tampa is 813. The area code for Plant City is 941.
Cities in Hillsborough County Florida
Hillsborough County has only three incorporated cities:
Plant City
Plant City is an incorporated city in Hillsborough County located halfway between Brandon and Lakeland along I-4, Plant City is known as the “Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.” Every year it hosts the Florida Strawberry Festival.
Tampa
Tampa is bordered by two bodies of water the Old Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay. The two bays come together to form Tampa Bay which flows out into the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa is part of a larger metropolitan area comprised of Tampa-St Petersburg-Clearwater Florida. The 4 county area has 2.7 million residents and has been ranked by Forbes magazine as the 5th best outdoor city.
Temple Terrace
Temple Terrace is situated in the northeastern part of Hillsborough County, and is the smallest of the three cities in the county. It is popular for its rolling hills and the oldest sand live-oak trees of any place in central Florida. Temple Terrace is the first place in the United States to grow Temple oranges, a cross between a mandarin orange and a tangerine.
The Unincorporated Cities in Hillsborough are
- Apollo Beach
- Bloomingdale
- Boyette
- Brandon
- Cheval
- Citrus Park
- Dover
- East Lake-Orient Park
- Egypt Lake-Leto
- Fish Hawk
- Gibsonton
- Greater Carrollwood
- Greater Nrothdale
- Greater Sun Center
- Keystone
- Lake Magdalene
- Lutz
- Mango
- Palm River-Clair Mel
- Pebble Creek
- Progress Village
- Riverview
- Ruskin
- Seffner
- Thonotosassa
- University
- Valrico
- Westchase
- Wimauma
Hillsborough County Tax Collector and Property Appraiser
The tax collector for Hillsborough County collects more than $1 billion dollars annually from business taxes, property taxes, motor vehicles, vessels, parking permits, driver licenses, hunting and fishing, and tourism accommodations. There are Tax Collector offices located in Brandon, Plant City, Ruskin and Tampa.
Hillsborough County Tax Collector
601 East Kennedy Boulevard, 14th Floor
Tampa, Florida 33602
Phone: 813-635-5200
Hillsborough County Tax Collect Website
Hillsborough County Tax Collector Offices locations:
AAA Branch
1515 North West Shore Blvd
Tampa, FL 33607
Brandon Branch
2211 North Falkenburg Road
Tampa, FL 33619
West County Branch
6283 West Waters Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33634
North Tampa Branch
3011 University Center Drive, Suite 150
Tampa, FL 33612
Plant City
1834 Jim Redman Parkway
Plant City, Florida 33563
South County Branch
3002 College Avenue
Ruskin, Florida 33570
Jobs and Careers in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County has about 500,000 employed in Tampa and its surrounding towns. Some of Hillsborough County’s largest employers are medical, banks, financial services, and insurance companies.
The larger employers in the Tampa Bay area are:
- JP Morgan Chase offers financial services in over 100 countries. They have been one of the largest employers with 4,000 plus employees in Hillsborough County.
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute is committed to the prevention and cure of cancer. Moffitt Cancer Center has 320,000 plus visitors every year.
- Citi is in the bank and loan business working with consumers and businesses employing close to 3,000 in the area.
- Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) provides assurance, tax and advisory services around the world.
- Progressive Insurance has approximately 2,000 employees in Hillsborough County. Progressive offers auto, boat, homeowners, health, and life insurance policies.
- USAA provides the military, veterans, and their families with insurance, banking, credit cards, loans, retirement planning, realtors, and other benefits.
Hospitals in Hillsborough County
The major hospitals in the Tampa Bay area within Hillsborough County are:
- Brandon Regional Hospital
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
- James A. Haley V.A. Medical Center
- South Florida Baptist Hospital
- St. Joseph
- Tampa General Hospital
- Town and Country Hospital
- University Community Hospital-Medical Center
Historical State Parks
Alafia River State Park
Alafia River State Park is a large park with a river, forests, flat areas, and rolling hills. The park is located in Lithia which is Southeast of Tampa in Hillsborough County Florida.
Alafia River State Park
14326 South County Road 39
Lithia, Florida 33547
Phone: 813-672-5320
Alafia River State Park Online Information and Campground Reservations
Park Size: 6,260 acres
Alafia River State Park Activities:
- Campground for both primitive and RV camping (and equestrian friendly campsites.)
- Bicycle trails for beginner to advanced riders. The off road cycling trails are on a former phosphate mining site. There are 17 miles of bicycle trails.
- Equestrian trails for horses and hikers (20 miles.)
- Canoeing and fishing along the Alafia River.
- Picnic pavilions, playground, horseshoe pit, and volleyball court.
Fort Foster State Historic Site
Fort Foster State Historic Site is the only standing replica from the Second Seminole War built in the early 1800’s. You’ll enter Fort Foster through the Hillsborough River State Park.
Fort Foster State Historic Site
15402 US 301 North
Thonotosassa, Florida 33592
Phone: 813-987-6771
Fort Foster State Historic Site Online Information
Fort Foster State Historic Site Activities:
- Interpretive exhibit is open daily with artifacts found at the fort along with maps incorporated into exhibits. The exhibit explains both sides of the conflict between Seminole Indians and US Forces.
- Guided fort tours take place on the weekend and an annual Fort Foster Rendezvous is held every February.
Hillsborough River State Park
Hillsborough River State Park opened in 1936 and is one of the oldest parks in Florida. The Florida state park has a set of Class II rapids on the Hillsborough River and Fort Foster.
Hillsborough River State Park
15402 U.S. 301 North
Thonotosassa, Florida 33592
Phone: 813-987-6771
Hillsborough River State Park Online Information and Campground Reservations
Park Size: 7 miles of hiking trails, 3 miles of biking trails, 112 campground sites.
Hillsborough River State Park Activities:
- Tour Fort Foster, the only standing replica of a Second Seminole War Fort in the US.
- Bike trails along the Wetland Restoration Nature Trail and Park Loop.
- Full campground facilities for RV, tent camping, primitive sites, and youth groups along with a Friday night campfire circle.
- Canoe and kayak along the river.
- Freshwater fishing along the Hillsborough River.
- Swimming pool, playground, and picnic pavilions.
Little Manatee River State Park
Little Manatee River State Park is located in Southwest Hillsborough County Florida. The river flows 40 miles and empties into the Tampa Bay. This Florida state park is located in Wimauma Florida near Fort Lonesome. Fishing is popular on the Little Manatee River which is part of the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve.
Little Manatee River State Park
215 Lightfoot Road
Wimauma, Florida 33598
Phone: 813-671-5005
Little Manatee River State Park Online Information and Campground Reservations
Park Size: 30 campsites, 12 miles of horse trails, 6 mile hiking loop.
Little Manatee River State Park Activities:
- Camping with full facility including RV, primitive camping, or youth and large groups camping is available.
- Horse trails and campsites for equestrian use (12 miles of horse trails.)
- Hiking trails with primitive campsites (6 1/2 miles of hiking trails.)
- Canoes and kayaks can be used on the river.
- Freshwater fishing along the Little Manatee River.
Ybor City Museum State Park
Ybor City Museum State Park is an urban park located at the corner of 9th Avenue and 19th Street in Tampa. It is a dedication to the cultural heritage that Ybor City brought to this area from 1886 until the 1930’s. The park showcases Ybor City’s history as the “Cigar Capital of the World.”
Ybor City Museum State Park
1818 Ninth Avenue
Tampa, Florida 33605
Phone: 813-247-6323
Ybor City Museum State Park Online Information
Ybor City Museum State Park Activities:
- A self-guided museum tour in the historic Ferlita Bakery.
- Tour a restored cigar worker’s house called La Casita.
Hillsborough County Jail
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Operation Center is located at 2008 E. 8th Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33605.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Website
General Phone Number: 813-247-8000
Crime Prevention Phone Number: 813-627-1068
How to Start a Neighborhood Crime Watch
The Hillsborough County jail system is comprised of 2 major facilities and a work release center.
County Jail Phone Number: 813-247-8371
Orient Road Jail is located at 1201 Orient Road, Tampa, Florida 33619
Falkenburg Road Jail is located at 520 Falkenburg Road, Tampa, Florida 33619
Work Release Center is located at 1800 Orient Road, Tampa Florida 33619