1st Advantage MortgageIn Hillsborough County, Florida, the typical household earns $79,540 a year and the typical rent is $1,667. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Hillsborough County, FL: the basics
- Work, industries and travel time in Hillsborough County
- Income in Hillsborough County compared with Florida
- Housing costs in Hillsborough County
- Places inside Hillsborough County
- The counties around Hillsborough County
- Budget math at the Hillsborough County median
- What the numbers mean for Hillsborough County borrowers
- Hillsborough County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Who licenses lenders for Hillsborough County residents
- Checklist for Hillsborough County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Hillsborough County, FL: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Hillsborough County's population at 1,522,748; only 3 of Florida's 67 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 1,023 square miles, that is close to 1,489 residents for every square mile of land. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL metropolitan area. Of the 33 Census places inside Hillsborough County, Tampa leads by population with about 401,618; 3 of the 33 are incorporated.
Work, industries and travel time in Hillsborough County
The biggest employer of Hillsborough County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 21% of workers, followed by professional and administrative services (16%). Compared with Florida, the county leans toward finance, insurance and real estate (11% against 8%). The survey's unemployment rate for Hillsborough County averages 4.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.8%). 20% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 21% work from home.
| Top industries | Hillsborough County share | +/- vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -0.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 16.1% | +2.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | -1.0 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 10.9% | +2.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.1% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 7.8% | -0.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Income in Hillsborough County compared with Florida
Half of Hillsborough County households take in less than $79,540 a year and half take in more, 7% above the Florida median of $74,568. That places it 16th among Florida's 67 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Hillsborough County | Gap to Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.8% | -1.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.2% | -1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.0% | +1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.9% | +1.9 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 40% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.7% of Hillsborough County residents in poverty, against 12.6% across Florida. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.485 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Hillsborough County median.
Housing costs in Hillsborough County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,667 in Hillsborough County versus $1,669 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 58% of renter households here. With a median value of $371,500, a typical Hillsborough County house costs 4.7 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 61% of homes. The median year built is 1991.
| Cost | Hillsborough County | Florida figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,667/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $371,500 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 58% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 31% | 35% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 6.5% | 8.0% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 8% | 15% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Places inside Hillsborough County
33 Census places fall mainly inside Hillsborough County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 1,435,356 residents, leaving about 6% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Keystone has the highest median household income on the list ($161,056) and University the lowest ($37,207), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Dover ($862) and steepest in Pebble Creek ($2,320). Linked names have their own city guide; this page covers every other Hillsborough County community.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa | city | 401,618 | $75,475 | $1,701 | 8 mi |
| Brandon | CDP | 119,767 | $79,685 | $1,784 | 6 mi |
| Riverview | CDP | 113,697 | $100,438 | $2,002 | 7 mi |
| Town 'n' Country | CDP | 85,928 | $73,538 | $1,734 | 15 mi |
| University | CDP | 48,127 | $37,207 | $1,295 | 13 mi |
| Plant City | city | 40,887 | $67,439 | $1,409 | 18 mi |
| Valrico | CDP | 40,239 | $104,839 | $1,937 | 9 mi |
| Carrollwood | CDP | 36,725 | $81,959 | $1,715 | 14 mi |
| Egypt Lake-Leto | CDP | 35,873 | $54,032 | $1,482 | 12 mi |
| Sun City Center | CDP | 33,548 | $73,528 | $2,156 | 12 mi |
| Apollo Beach | CDP | 33,355 | $127,617 | $2,293 | 9 mi |
| Lake Magdalene | CDP | 32,083 | $75,594 | $1,434 | 14 mi |
| Ruskin | CDP | 29,834 | $79,235 | $1,419 | 13 mi |
| East Lake-Orient Park | CDP | 29,213 | $56,573 | $1,555 | 8 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
The counties around Hillsborough County
Distances run center to center, from Pinellas County at 26 miles out to Sarasota County at 46. Sarasota County leads the group on income ($83,416), Hardee County trails ($60,489), and Hillsborough County out-earns 5 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsborough County | - | $79,540 | $1,667/mo | 61% |
| Pinellas County, FL | 26 mi | $72,646 | $1,642/mo | 70% |
| Manatee County, FL | 29 mi | $78,457 | $1,671/mo | 74% |
| Pasco County, FL | 30 mi | $70,492 | $1,505/mo | 76% |
| Polk County, FL | 42 mi | $65,978 | $1,363/mo | 70% |
| Hardee County, FL | 44 mi | $60,489 | $962/mo | 71% |
| Sarasota County, FL | 46 mi | $83,416 | $1,818/mo | 77% |
Budget math at the Hillsborough County median
Hillsborough County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Hillsborough County: $6,628
- 25% goes to median rent ($1,667)
- Under a 36% cap, $2,386 total minus rent leaves $719
Two-income households and single earners in Hillsborough County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
What the numbers mean for Hillsborough County borrowers
A few patterns in the Hillsborough County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 11% of Hillsborough County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Commuter costs. 20% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Rent squeeze. 58% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Hillsborough County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 38% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 11.1%, against 11.5% for Florida.
| People and households | Hillsborough County | Florida | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.9 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 38.1% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.3% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.1% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.8% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 20.7% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 19.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 25.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.5% |
| 60+ min | 9.2% |
Who licenses lenders for Hillsborough County residents
The Florida Office of Financial Regulation is the place to verify any lender's Florida license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Florida: Florida personal loans.
Checklist for Hillsborough County applicants
A short checklist for Hillsborough County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Hillsborough County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Hillsborough County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Florida.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
More local guides:
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Hillsborough County?
$79,540 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,568 for Florida. It ranks 16th of 67 in the state.
What do renters pay in Hillsborough County?
$1,667 a month at the median, about 25% of median household income.
I live in a small Hillsborough County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Town 'n' Country, University and 28 more.
Is the fit check different in Hillsborough County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Hillsborough County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Florida it is the Florida Office of Financial Regulation.