Editing Hillsborough County, Florida

{{Short description|County in Florida, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county = Hillsborough County
| state = Florida
| ex image = Downtown Tampa, Florida.jpg
| ex image cap = Downtown Tampa skyline
| type = [[County (United States)|County]]
| flag = Flag of Hillsborough County, Florida.svg
| seal= Seal of Hillsborough County, Florida.png
| logo= Wordmark of Hillsborough County, Florida.png
| founded date = January 25
| founded year = 1834
| seat wl = Tampa
| largest city wl = Tampa
| area_total_sq_mi = 1266
| area_land_sq_mi = 1020
| area_water_sq_mi = 246
| area percentage = 19.4%
| census yr = 2020
| pop = 1459762
| pop_est_as_of = 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/hillsboroughcountyflorida/PST120219|title=Census}}</ref>
| population_est = 1535564 {{gain}}
| density_sq_mi = auto
| web = http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/
| district2 = 14th
| district3 = 15th
| district4 = 16th
| time zone = Eastern
| named for = [[Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire|Wills Hill]], Earl of Hillsborough
}}

'''Hillsborough County''' is located in the west-central portion of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Florida]]. In the 2020 census, the population was 1,459,762,<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/hillsboroughcountyflorida/PST120219|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225123904/https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/hillsboroughcountyflorida/PST120219|archive-date=February 25, 2021|access-date=|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> making it the fourth-most populous county in Florida and the most populous county outside the [[Miami metropolitan area]]. A 2021 estimate has the population of Hillsborough County at 1,512,070 people with a yearly growth rate of 1.34%,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2010-2019/counties/totals/|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=March 26, 2020}}</ref> which itself is greater than the populations of 12 states according to their 2019 population estimates.<ref>{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 24, 2018|format=XLSX}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] and largest city is [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> Hillsborough County is part of the Tampa–[[St. Petersburg, Florida|St. Petersburg]]–[[Clearwater, Florida|Clearwater]] [[Tampa Bay Area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
{{Main|History of Tampa, Florida}}
[[File:Hillsborough County Courthouse, Tampa, FL.jpg|thumb|right|Hillsborough County Courthouse, {{Circa|1891}}]]
[[File:Courthouse & Confederate Memorial-Hillsborough County, Florida.jpg|thumb|Hillsborough County Courthouse and Confederate Monument in Tampa]]

Hillsborough County was created on January 25, 1834, from [[Alachua County, Florida|Alachua]] and [[Monroe County, Florida|Monroe]] Counties,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skcensus.com/census/fl/hillsborough.html|title=Hillsborough County Census|work=skcensus.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060626064456/http://www.skcensus.com/census/fl/hillsborough.html|archive-date=June 26, 2006}}</ref> during the [[Florida Territory|U.S. territorial]] period (1822–1845). The new county was named for [[Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire|Wills Hill]], the [[Marquess of Downshire|Earl of Hillsborough]], who served as [[Kingdom of Great Britain|British]] [[Secretary of State for the Colonies]] from 1768 to 1772.<ref>{{cite book|title=Publications of the Florida Historical Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WZQ-AAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA31|year=1908|publisher=Florida Historical Society|page=31}}</ref> The County was created through efforts by Augustus Steele.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IjznX3uqrAoC&q=augustus+steele&pg=PA124|title=Hillsborough River Guidebook|last=McCarthy|first=Kevin|date=January 1, 2011|publisher=Pineapple Press Inc|isbn=9781561644872|language=en}}</ref>

The county's 1834 area was much larger and included eight other present-day counties: [[Charlotte County, Florida|Charlotte County]], [[DeSoto County, Florida|DeSoto]], [[Hardee County, Florida|Hardee]], [[Manatee County, Florida|Manatee]], [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco]], [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas]], [[Polk County, Florida|Polk]], and [[Sarasota County, Florida|Sarasota]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/county/hillsbor/hillsbor.htm|title=Exploring Florida Hillsborough County Maps|author=Florida Center for Instructional Technology|work=usf.edu}}</ref>

The last significant change in Hillsborough County's borders was the separation of its western section to create Pinellas County in 1911.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

On New Year's Day in 1914, the [[St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat Line]] initiated the first scheduled commercial airline service in the world, from St. Petersburg to Tampa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.space.com/16657-worlds-first-commercial-airline-the-greatest-moments-in-flight.html|title=World's First Commercial Airline – The Greatest Moments in Flight|work=Space.com|date=May 22, 2018}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1266|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1020|sqmi}} are land and {{convert|246|sqmi}} (19.4%) are covered by water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> About {{convert|158.27|mi|km}} of shoreline are on Tampa Bay.

The county's unincorporated area is around {{convert|888|sqmi|km2}}, more than 84% of the total land area. Municipalities account for {{convert|163|sqmi|km2}}. The modern boundaries of the county place it midway along the west coast of Florida.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

A narrow portion of Hillsborough County to the south, consisting almost exclusively of water, extends west to the [[Gulf of Mexico]] roughly along the Tampa Port Shipping Channel. This has the effect of keeping Hillsborough County from being technically landlocked. The central portion of the [[Sunshine Skyway Bridge]] is in Hillsborough County. So is [[Egmont Key]], at the entrance to [[Tampa Bay]]; this narrow strip of land separates Pinellas County from Manatee County. The northernmost tip of a spoil island just west of Port Manatee also lies in Hillsborough County.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

Hillsborough is home to [[Alafia River State Park]] and [[Hillsborough River State Park|Hillsborough River]] state parks, and to the [[C. W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir]] and [[Lithia Springs Regional Park|Lithia Springs]], one of the largest natural springs in Florida.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Alafia River near Lithia Springs Park.jpg|On the [[Alafia River]] near Lithia Springs Park
File:Alligator - Alafia Springs State Park.jpg|An [[alligator]] in the [[Alafia River State Park]]
File:Hurrah Lake - Alafia River State Park.jpg|Hurrah Lake on the Alafia River
File:Sandhill Cranes - Hillsborough River State Park.jpg|[[Sandhill crane]] at [[Hillsborough River State Park]]
File:Kayaking on the Hillsborough River.jpg|On the [[Hillsborough River (Florida)|Hillsborough River]] near [[Lettuce Lake Park]]
</gallery>

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco County]] – north
* [[Polk County, Florida|Polk County]] – east
* [[Manatee County, Florida|Manatee County]] – south
* [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas County]] – west
* [[Hardee County, Florida|Hardee County]] – southeast

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1840=452
|1850=2377
|1860=2981
|1870=3216
|1880=5814
|1890=14941
|1900=36013
|1910=78374
|1920=88257
|1930=153519
|1940=180148
|1950=249894
|1960=397788
|1970=490265
|1980=646960
|1990=834054
|2000=998948
|2010=1229226
|2020=1459762
|estyear=2023
|estimate=1535564
|estref=<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 31, 2024}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote= U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/fl190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 14, 2014}}</ref> 2010–2019<ref name="QF" /> 2022<ref>{{cite web |title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020–2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |website=County Population Totals: 2020–2022 |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau |access-date=March 30, 2023 |date=March 30, 2023}}</ref>
}}

===2020 Census===

{| class="wikitable"
|+'''Hillsborough County racial composition'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US12057&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2 |access-date=May 26, 2022 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref><br /> (NH = Non-Hispanic){{efn|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.<ref>{{cite web |title=About the Hispanic Population and its Origin |url=https://www.census.gov/topics/population/hispanic-origin/about.html |website=www.census.gov |access-date=May 18, 2022}}</ref>}}
!Race
!Pop 2010
!Pop 2020
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH)
|660,565
|667,791
|53.74%
|45.75%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH)
|191,260
|224,479
|15.56%
|15.38%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH)
|2,948
|2,817
|0.24%
|0.19%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH)
|41,328
|69,928
|3.36%
|4.79%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] (NH)
|703
|914
|0.06%
|0.06%
|-
|Some Other Race (NH)
|2,992
|9,655
|0.24%
|0.66%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed/Multi-Racial]] (NH)
|22,795
|56,797
|1.85%
|3.89%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]]
|306,635
|427,381
|24.95%
|29.28%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''1,229,226'''
|'''1,459,762'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|}
[[File:2023_Racial_Demographics_in_Hillsborough_County_by_Census_tract.svg|thumb|A map of racial demographics in Hillsborough County by Census tract{{Collapsible list
| title = Legend|{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}

'''Non-Hispanic White'''
{{legend|#fbdedd|30–40%}}
{{legend|#f1b4b2|40–50%}}
{{legend|#ed8783|50–60%}}
{{legend|#e55651|60–70%}}
{{legend|#d02923|70–80%}}
{{legend|#b00600|80–90%}}
{{legend|#850400|>90%}}

'''Hispanic'''
{{legend| #daf5f5|30–40%}}
{{legend|#ace1e1|40–50%}}
{{legend|#81d0d0|50–60%}}
{{legend|#53bfbf|60–70%}}
{{legend|#1eafaf|70–80%}}
{{legend|#178a8a|80–90%}}

'''Black or African American'''
{{legend|#f0e6be|30–40%}}
{{legend|#d7c477|40–50%}}
{{legend|#c0a32f|50–60%}}
{{legend|#a88600|60–70%}}
{{legend|#907300|70–80%}}
{{legend|#735c00|80–90%}}

'''Equal'''
{{legend|#e68ce6}}
'''No population'''
{{legend|#a9a9a9}}
{{col-end}}
}}]]
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 1,459,762 people, 539,919 households, and 338,683 families residing in the county.

===2010 Census===
[[File:Ethnic Origins in Hillsborough County, FL.png|thumb|281x281px|Ethnic origins in Hillsborough County]]<u>U.S. Census Bureau 2010 Ethnic/Race Demographics:</u><ref name="HiBoDemo">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=Hillsborough County: Selected Social Characteristics in the United States 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name="HBD">{{cite web |url=http://data.ocala.com/census/florida/hillsborough-county/057/ |title=Hillsborough County Demographic Characteristics|publisher=ocala.com |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref>
* [[White (U.S. Census)|White (non-Hispanic)]] (71.3% when including [[White Hispanic]]s): 53.7% <small>(12.1% German, 11.0% Irish, 8.9% English, 6.7% Italian, 2.6% French, 2.4% Polish, 1.9% Scottish, 1.6% Scotch-Irish, 1.3% Dutch, 0.8% Russian, 0.8% Swedish, 0.7% Welsh, 0.6% French Canadian, 0.6% Norwegian, 0.5% Hungarian, 0.5% Greek)</small><ref name="HiBoDemo" />
* [[Black (U.S. Census)|Black (non-Hispanic)]] (16.7% when including [[Black Hispanic]]s): 15.6% <small>(2.4% [[West Indian]]/[[Afro-Caribbean American]] [0.7% Jamaican, 0.6% Haitian, 0.5% [[Afro-Caribbean|Other or Unspecified West Indian]], 0.1% Trinidadian and Tobagonian, 0.1% [[British West Indian]], 0.1% U.S. Virgin Islander] 0.9% [[Sub-Saharan Africa|Subsaharan African]])</small><ref name="HiBoDemo" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=Hillsborough County, Florida First Ancestry Reported Universe: Total population – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 12, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race: 24.9% <small>(7.4% Puerto Rican, 5.3% Cuban, 5.3% Mexican, 1.2% Colombian, 1.1% Dominican, 0.7% Spaniard, 0.5% Honduran)</small><ref name="HiBoDemo" /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=Hispanic or Latino by Type: 2010 – 2010 Census Summary File 1 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=October 19, 2015}}</ref>
* [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]: 3.4% <small>(1.2% Indian, 0.5% Vietnamese, 0.5% Filipino, 0.4% Chinese, 0.4% Other Asian, 0.3% Korean, 0.1% Japanese)</small><ref name="HiBoDemo" /><ref name="HBD" />
* [[Multiracial American|Two or more races]]: 3.1%
* [[Native American (U.S. Census)|American Indian and Alaska Native]]: 0.4%
* [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander]]: 0.1%<ref name="HiBoDemo" /><ref name="HBD" />
* [[Race (United States Census)|Other Races]]: 5.0% <small>(0.6% Arab)</small><ref name="HiBoDemo" />

In 2010, 6.0% of the Hillsborough's population considered themselves to be of only [[American people|American]] ancestry (regardless of race or ethnicity.)<ref name="HiBoDemo" />

Of the 536,092 households, 29.74% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.25% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 14.76% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.69% were not families. About 27.12% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.96% (2.35% male and 5.61% female) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.11.<ref name="HBage">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=Hillsborough County: Age Groups and Sex: 2010 – 2010 Census Summary File 1 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name="CVHB">{{cite web |url=http://censusviewer.com/county/FL/Hillsborough |title=Hillsborough County: Age Groups and Sex: 2010 – 2010 Census Summary File 1|publisher=censusviewer.com |access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref>

The age distribution was 23.9% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.<ref name="HBage" /><ref name="CVHB" />

The median income for a household in the county was $49,536, and for a family was $59,886. Males had a median income of $43,125 versus $35,184 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $27,062. About 10.7% of families and 14.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 19.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those aged 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |title=Hillsborough County, Florida: SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 18, 2015}}</ref>

In 2010, 15.1% of the county's population was [[foreign born]], with 44.5% being [[Naturalized citizen of the United States|naturalized American citizens]]. Of foreign-born residents, 67.5% were born in [[Latin America]], 16.7% born in [[Asia]], 9.2% were born in [[Europe]], 3.2% born in [[Africa]], 3.1% in [[North America]], and 0.3% were born in [[Oceania]].{{citation needed|date=November 2015}}

===2000 Census===
As of the census of 2000, 998,948 people, 391,357 households, and 255,164 families resided in the county. The population density was {{convert|951|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The 425,962 housing units averaged 405 per square mile (156/km<sup>2</sup>). The racial makeup of the county was 75.17% White (63.3% [[Non-Hispanic White]]),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.muninetguide.com/states/florida/Hillsborough.php |title=Demographics of Hillsborough County, FL |publisher=MuniNetGuide.com |access-date=October 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115111438/http://www.muninetguide.com/states/florida/Hillsborough.php |archive-date=November 15, 2006}}</ref> 14.96% Black or African American, 0.39% Native American, 2.20% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 4.66% from other races, and a 2.56% from two or more races. 17.99% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. The county was the thirty-second most populous county in the nation.

Of the 391,357 households, 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.70% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 13.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% were not families. Roughly 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.07.

The age distribution was: 25.30%  under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,663, and for a family was $48,223. Males had a median income of $34,111 versus $26,962 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $21,812. About 9.10% of families and 12.50% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 10.00% of those age 65 or over.

{| width="380" class="toccolours" style="fixed: right; margin-left: 1em;"
! colspan="4" style="text-align: center; background:darkblue" | <span style="color:white;">'''Level of Education'''</span>
|-
| '''Level''' || '''Hillsborough Co.''' || '''Florida''' || '''U.S.'''
|-
| colspan="4" |
----
|-
| College/Associate Degree || 29.0% || 28.8% || 27.4%
|-
| Bachelor's Degree || 16.7% || 14.3% || 15.5%
|-
| Master's or PhD || 8.4% || 8.1% || 8.9%
|-
| Total || 54.1% || 51.2% || 51.8%
|
|}Source: U.S. Census<ref>2004 U.S. Census</ref>

===Languages===
As of 2010, 74.59% of the population spoke only [[English language|English]] at home, 19.52% spoke [[Spanish language|Spanish]], 0.56% [[French-based creole languages|French Creole]] (mainly [[Haitian Creole]]), and 0.51% spoke [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]] as their [[mother language]].<ref name="MLA">{{cite web | url=http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=12&county_id=86&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=&a=&ea=&order=r | title=Modern Language Association Data Center Results of Miami-Dade County, Florida | publisher=Modern Language Association | access-date=October 20, 2015}}</ref> In total, 25.41% of the [[population]] spoke a language other than English as their [[primary language]].<ref name="MLA" />

==Politics and government==
{{more citations needed|section|date=July 2022}}

=== Voter registration ===
According to the Secretary of State's office, Republican are a narrow plurality of registered voters in Hillsborough County.
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Hillsborough county voter registration & party enrollment as of February 28, 2025<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dos.myflorida.com/elections/data-statistics/voter-registration-statistics/voter-registration-reports/voter-registration-by-county-and-party/ |title=Voter Registration – By County and Party |access-date=November 22, 2022}}</ref>
|-
!colspan = 2 | Political party
!Total Voters
!Percentage
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
|[[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|301,636
|34.52%
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
|[[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
|299,127
|34.23%
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent (United States)}}
|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
|246,390
|28.20%
|-
| {{party color cell|Other party (United States)}}
|Minor parties
|26,713
|3.06%
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!873,866
!100.00%
|}

=== Statewide and national elections ===
Hillsborough County tends to lean [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]], having not been won by a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] presidential candidate from 2004 until 2024. It is part of the politically important [[Interstate 4|I-4 Corridor]] between Tampa Bay and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]], an area that historically decides most elections in Florida.  Hillsborough was considered a [[bellwether]] county, voting for the statewide winner in every presidential election from 1964–2012. It has also voted for the winner of the presidency in every election since 1928 except twice, voting for the loser only in 1992 and 2016. The southern portion of the county, around Tampa, is powerfully Democratic, while the northern and eastern portions are heavily Republican.

On the statewide level, the county also tends to lean Democratic with Democrats [[Bill Nelson]] for senator and [[Andrew Gillum]] for governor both winning the county in the 2018 elections. However, Republican senator [[Marco Rubio]] did win the county in his 2010, 2016 and 2022 senatorial campaigns and Republican Governor Ron Desantis won it in his 2022 gubernatorial campaign after the county supported Democrats for the previous three gubernatorial elections since 2010.

In [[2008 United States presidential election|2008]], [[Barack Obama]] won the county by seven points, the first Democrat to capture the county since [[Bill Clinton]]'s re-election victory in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2004&fips=12&f=0|title=2004 Presidential General Election Results – Florida|author=David Leip|work=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref> Obama won Hillsborough again in 2012 over Republican presidential nominee [[Mitt Romney]] by roughly the same margin.

In [[2016 United States presidential election|2016]], [[Donald Trump]] became the first Republican since [[Calvin Coolidge]] in 1924 to win a presidential election without carrying the county.

Donald Trump broke the Democratic streak in the county in 2024, when he carried the county by a narrow majority. This reflects the general trend in Florida towards the Republican Party in recent elections.

{{PresHead|place=Hillsborough County, Florida|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|342,017|321,455|11,435|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|327,398|376,367|10,303|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|266,870|307,896|29,124|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|250,186|286,467|6,776|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|236,355|272,963|5,183|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|245,576|214,132|3,514|Florida}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|180,794|169,576|9,984|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|136,656|144,266|27,349|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|130,643|115,282|64,577|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|150,151|99,014|1,551|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|157,926|86,230|52|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|106,160|88,271|10,883|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|78,504|94,589|2,052|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|106,956|45,305|249|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|49,441|45,848|46,913|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|50,616|71,289|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|48,887|62,240|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|41,889|38,610|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|36,316|33,252|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|13,529|18,854|8,903|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|10,252|31,146|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|7,805|30,738|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|5,361|20,202|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|4,711|19,143|0|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|11,703|9,993|392|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|1,585|4,470|1,125|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|3,772|6,976|1,601|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|691|4,627|1,297|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|159|2,641|1,105|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|367|2,703|624|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|516|1,976|659|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|349|2,257|639|Florida}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|584|2,115|200|Florida}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|0|2,718|125|Florida}}

{| class="wikitable"  style="float:left; font-size:95%;"
|+ '''Gubernatorial Election Results'''
|- style="background:lightgrey;"
! Year
! [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
! [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
! [[Third Party (United States)|Third parties]]
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[Florida gubernatorial election, 2022|2022]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''54.17%''' ''261,936''
|  style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|44.95% ''217,349''
| style="text-align:center;"|0.87% ''4,229''
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[Florida gubernatorial election, 2018|2018]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|44.86% ''234,835''
|  style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''53.79%''' ''281,598''
| style="text-align:center;"|1.34% ''7,037''
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[Florida gubernatorial election, 2014|2014]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|45.59% ''170,127''
|  style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''48.29%''' ''180,168''
| style="text-align:center;"|6.12% ''22,837''
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|[[Florida gubernatorial election, 2010|2010]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|46.59% ''148,429''
|  style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|'''49.91%''' ''158,995''
| style="text-align:center;"|3.51% ''11,171''
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[Florida gubernatorial election, 2006|2006]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''52.80%''' ''152,494''
|  style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|44.45% ''128,375''
| style="text-align:center;"|2.75% ''7,931''
|-
|  style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|[[Florida gubernatorial election, 2002|2002]]
|  style="text-align:center; background:#fff3f3;"|'''55.81%''' ''175,629''
|  style="text-align:center; background:#f0f0ff;"|42.67% ''134,274''
| style="text-align:center;"|0.76% ''2,378''
|}
{{clear}}

=== Board of County Commissioners ===
A [[home rule]] charter for Hillsborough County was approved by voters in a county-wide referendum held in September 1983, and the first county commissioners elected under this new charter took office on May 28, 1985.

Under a charter ordinance that went into effect May 1985, seven county commissioners are directed to perform legislative functions of government by developing policy for the management of Hillsborough County. The county administrator, a professional appointed by the board, and the administrative staff are responsible for the implementation of these policies.<ref name=BCC>{{cite web |title=Board of County Commissioners |url=https://hcfl.gov/government/board-of-county-commissioners |website=hcfl.gov |publisher=Hillsboro County, Florida |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref>

The board also serves as the Environmental Protection Commission. Individual board members serve on various other boards, authorities, and commissions such as the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Tampa Bay Water, Aviation Authority, Expressway Authority, Sports Authority, Port Authority, Arts Council of Hillsborough County, Children's Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Council of Governments.<ref name=BCC />

The charter divides the power of county government between legislative and executive branches. The Board of County Commissioners, which composes the legislative branch, sets overall policy by means of ordinances, resolutions, and motions.

The executive powers of county government are vested in the county administrator, appointed by county commissioners and charged by the charter to faithfully implement the powers of the board. The charter provides for a county attorney, to be hired by the county administrator with the advice and consent of the county commissioners. The charter contains a provision for a charter review board appointed by County Commissioners every five years to conduct a study of county government and propose amendments to the charter. These amendments must be presented to voters for approval. One amendment was approved in November 2002, adding the position of County Internal Performance Auditor to the government structure. This position reports directly to the County Commission.

The current administrator is Bonnie M. Wise, who took office on July 1, 2020, replacing Mike Merrill, who had served as administrator since 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hillsborough taps Bonnie Wise as county administrator|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2020/05/06/hillsborough-tabs-bonnie-wise-as-county-administrator/|access-date=February 16, 2021|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en}}</ref> Wise previously served as the county's deputy administrator and Tampa's chief financial officer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bonnie Wise, Hillsborough's next administrator, almost skipped career in public service|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/hillsborough/2020/05/11/bonnie-wise-hillsboroughs-next-administrator-almost-skipped-career-in-public-service/|access-date=February 16, 2021|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en}}</ref>

Of the seven members of the Board of County Commissioners for Hillsborough County, four are elected from single-member districts, and three are elected county-wide. The board approves the county's operating and capital budgets and the county's capital-improvement program. It may take action on any programs for the improvement of the county and the welfare of its residents.

As of 2025, The members of the Board are as follows:
* Henry Cohen (D): Single-Member District #1
* Ken Hagan (R): Single-Member District #2
* Gwen Myers (D): Single-Member District #3
* Christine Miller (R): Single-Member District #4
* Donna Cameron Cepeda (R): At-Large District #5 
* Chris Boles (R): At-Large District #6 
* Joshua Wostal (R): At-Large District #7

=== Government officials ===
These five countywide elected positions have specific responsibilities under the county charter:
* Clerk of the Circuit Court: Cindy Stuart (D)
* Sheriff: [[Chad Chronister]] (R)
* Property Appraiser: [[Bob Henriquez]] (D)
* Tax Collector: Nancy Millan (D)
* Supervisor of Elections: Craig Latimer (D)

===Taxes===
Hillsborough County's discretionary [[sales tax]] rate increased from 1% to 2.5% in January 2019. When combined with the state of Florida's 6%, the rate is 8.5%, the highest in Florida. The rate includes two surcharges approved by voter referendum in November 2018, 1% for transportation and 1/2% for schools.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Grigg |first1=Nicole |title=Hillsborough County's sales tax to increase Jan. 1, will be the highest in the state |url=https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/local-news/hillsborough-countys-sales-tax-to-increase-jan-1-will-be-the-highest-in-the-state |access-date=February 26, 2019 |date=December 28, 2018}}</ref> It is only collected on the first $5000 of any large purchase.

==Economy==
{{expand section|date=May 2012}}
In the early 20th century, Hillsborough's economy was predominantly based on cigar-making and agriculture.  In 2012, Hillsborough had the second-largest agricultural output among Florida's counties.  As of 2010, the average annual employment in Hillsborough County was 563,292. The percentages of total employment by industry were:
* Natural resources and mining 2.0%
* Construction 4.6%
* Manufacturing 4.1%
* Trade, transportation, and utilities 19.5%
* Information 3.0%
* Financial activities 9.2%
* Professional and business services 18.1%
* Education and health services 14.6%
* Leisure and hospitality 10.3%
* Other services 2.7%
* Public administration 4.7%
<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.eflorida.com/profiles/CountyReport.asp?CountyID=54&Display=all | title=Community Search}}</ref>

===Agriculture===
In 2011, sales of all agricultural commodities produced in Hillsborough County were over $832,410,300.  The largest crop by value was strawberries at over $388 million.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hillsborough County Agriculture Sales and Acreage Estimates – 2011 |url=http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/6140 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617092103/http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/DocumentCenter/View/6140 |archive-date=2015-06-17 |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=hillsboroughcounty.org}}</ref> Values of various crops included:
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; font-size:95%;"
|+ Hillsborough County Agricultural Production 2011
|- bgcolor=lightgrey
! Crop
! Sales in dollars
! Acreage
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Strawberries
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$388,125,702
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|11,625
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Vegetables
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$150,000,000
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|13,092
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Ornamental plants
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$139,232,407
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|3,977
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Aquaculture
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$23,546,112
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|876
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Beef cattle/pasture
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$18,934,207
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|91,904
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Citrus
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$18,893,572
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|10,750
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Poultry
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$18,701,100
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|22
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Sod
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$7,438,855
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|2,286
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Dairy
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$6,433,206
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|1,500
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Blueberries
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$5,500,000
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|591
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Hay
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$2,374,195
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|635
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Forestry
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$1,000,000
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|108,634
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Bees/honey
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$598,767
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|45
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Goats
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$154,177
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|518
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Miscellaneous
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$51,478,000
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|3677
|-
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|Total
|align="center" bgcolor="#fff3f3"|$832,410,300
|align="center" bgcolor="#f0f0ff"|255,532
|+
|}

===List of companies with headquarters in Hillsborough County===
{{Dynamic list}}
* [[Beef O'Brady's]] Restaurants
* [[Big Brothers Big Sisters of America]]
* [[Bloomin' Brands]] Restaurants, including Outback Steakhouse, Carrabbas, and others.
* [[Checkers and Rally's]] Restaurants
* [[Front Burner Brands]] Restaurants, including The Melting Pot, Burger 21, and Grillsmith.
* [[International Softball Federation]]
* [[Lykes Brothers]]
* [[Masonite International]]
* MisterCertified
* [[The Mosaic Company|Mosaic]]'s Phosphate Division
* [[Odyssey Marine Exploration]]
* [[Patterson Companies]]
* [[Rooms To Go]] Furniture
* [[Shriners International]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shrinersinternational.org/Contact|title=Contact Us – Shriners International|website=www.shrinersinternational.org|language=en|access-date=July 11, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Sweetbay Supermarkets]] (since absorbed by [[BI-LO (United States)|BI-LO]]'s [[Winn-Dixie]] chain) had its headquarters in an [[unincorporated area]] in the county, near Tampa.<ref>"[http://www.delhaizegroup.com/en/Contacts.aspx Contacts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120522055415/http://www.delhaizegroup.com/en/Contacts.aspx |date=May 22, 2012}}." [[Delhaize Group]]. Retrieved on May 17, 2012. "Sweetbay Supermarkets, 3801 Sugar Palm Drive Tampa – FL 33619 – U.S.A."</ref>
* [[Sykes Enterprises]]

==Education==
[[Hillsborough County Public Schools]] operate the public schools in the county.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st12_fl/schooldistrict_maps/c12057_hillsborough/DC20SD_C12057.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS – SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hillsborough County, FL|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=August 1, 2022}} – [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st12_fl/schooldistrict_maps/c12057_hillsborough/DC20SD_C12057_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> Hillsborough County has the eighth-largest school district in the United States consisting of 206 schools (133 elementary schools, 42 middle schools, two K-8 schools, 27 traditional high schools, and four career centers, with 73 additional schools including charter, ESE, etc.).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/info/index.asp|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070304024922/http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/info/index.asp|url-status=dead|title=Hillsborough County Public Schools|archivedate=March 4, 2007}}</ref> In 2013, 12 of Hillsborough County's 27 public high schools were ranked in'' [[Newsweek]]'s'' list of America's Best High Schools.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://publicaffairs.mysdhc.org/pointsofpride |title=America's Best High Schools |access-date=March 2, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061224021440/http://publicaffairs.mysdhc.org/pointsofpride |archive-date=December 24, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2012 and 2013, all 27 public high schools were included on the ''Washington Post's ''list of the 2000 most challenging schools in America.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apps.washingtonpost.com/local/highschoolchallenge/schools/2013/list/national/|title=National Schools|work=washingtonpost.com}}</ref>

==Museums and libraries==

===Museums===
* [[Tampa Museum of Art]] in Tampa
* [[Florida Museum of Photographic Arts]] in Tampa
* [[Glazer Children’s Museum]] in Tampa
* [[Museum of Science & Industry (Tampa)]]
* [[Henry B. Plant Museum]] in Tampa
* [[Tampa Bay History Center]] in Tampa

===Libraries===
The Tampa Public Library opened in 1917.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Library History {{!}} HCPLC |url=https://hcplc.org/thpl/history |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=hcplc.org}}</ref> The following notable libraries are part of the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hcplc.org/locations |website=HCPLC |access-date=April 27, 2021|title=Locations &#124; HCPLC}}</ref>
{{colbegin}}
* [[Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library]]
* [[Bloomingdale Regional Public Library]]
* [[Bruton Memorial Library]]
* [[C. Blythe Andrews Jr. Public Library]]
* [[Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library]]
* [[John F. Germany Public Library]]
* [[Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library]]
* [[New Tampa Regional Library]]
* [[Port Tampa City Library]]
* [[Riverview Public Library]]
* [[Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library]]
* [[Seffner-Mango Branch Library]]
* [[Temple Terrace Public Library]]
* [[Thonotosassa Branch Library]]
{{colend}} 
<!-- stating the obvious, no substance  ==Law enforcement==
{{refimprove section|date=March 2016}}
Several local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies operate within Hillsborough County, Florida. They range in operations and jurisdictions from one agency to the next.
 -->

==Local agencies==
Several agencies provide law enforcement to the residents of Hillsborough County. They are all accredited and fully certified law enforcement agencies by the FDLE.

{| width="800" class="wikitable"
|-
|
{{show
|Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
|
{{Main|Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office}}
The HCSO is the largest local law enforcement agency in Hillsborough County. Headquartered in the Ybor City District of Tampa, it is responsible for law enforcement services in the unincorporated areas of the county. The county is divided into four districts, each containing multiple sectors identified with a letter (example: H – hotel sector, G – golf sector). The districts and sectors are cut to exclude areas covered by other local agencies.

{{See also|Hillsborough County Public Schools#Security|Law enforcement organization}}

The school district uses two agencies for security. The sheriff's office employs deputies assigned to various schools throughout the county. They, along with the Hillsborough County Public Schools Security Service officers, are known as school resource officers. Generally, deputies are assigned to schools outside of the incorporated cities and HCPSSS officers are assigned to schools within city limits. For extended services, other local agencies may be called in for support. Most crossing guards are employed in a unsworn capacity by the sheriff's office.
}}
|}
{| width="800" class="wikitable"
|-
|
{{show
|Plant City Police Department
|
{{See also|Plant City Police Department}}
Plant City maintains its own police department and is the third-largest police agency in terms of sworn officers following HCSO and TPD. The agency provides law-enforcement services to the residents of Plant City and occasionally provides backup to HCSO, answering calls close to their jurisdiction.
}}
|}
{| width="800" class="wikitable"
|-
|
{{show
|Seminole Police Department
|
The Seminole Indian Tribe operates the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino located in Tampa. The tribe has its own police department that operates on the grounds and at tribe events. They also respond to altercations that involves members of the tribe.
}}
|}
{| width="800" class="wikitable"
|-
|
{{show
|Tampa Airport Police Department
|
Tampa International Airport operates the Tampa Airport Police. They are a full-service agency providing services to the airport and surrounding areas where services to the airport take place.
}}
|}
{| width="800" class="wikitable"
|-
|
{{show
|Tampa Police Department
|
{{See also|Tampa Police Department}}
The TPD is the second-largest agency in the county. They serve the cities of Tampa, New Tampa, Port of Tampa, and other areas surrounding.
}}
|}
{| width="800" class="wikitable"
|-
|
{{show
|Temple Terrace Police Department
|
The city of Temple Terrace operates a police department with over 50 sworn officers.
}}
|}
{| width="800" class="wikitable"
|-
|
{{show
|University of South Florida Police Department
|
The USF Police Department has jurisdiction throughout the grounds of USF and other facilities operated by the university. They provide services to anyone located on the property and have full police authority granted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
}}
|}
{| width="800" class="wikitable"
|-
|
{{show
|County jails and courthouse security
|
The sheriff's office operates the only two county jail facilities and one work release center. The Falkenburg Road Jail is the larger of the two jails. Orient Road Jail was the first in the nation to use open-booking areas.{{citation needed|date=March 2016}}
With these being the only jails in the county, other than juvenile detention facilities, the work release center, or holding cells located at multiple police stations and sheriff offices, all local agencies transport persons being arrested to one of the county jails.
The sheriff's office also provides security and protective services at the county courthouses in Tampa. With a majority of transportation of inmates to and from the courthouse being handled by the sheriff's office, the inmates remain in the custody of HCSO during the duration of the process until handed over to another jurisdiction, state, or federal custody.
}}
|}
{| width="800" class="wikitable"
|-
|
{{show
|Auxiliary and reserve officers
|
Some of these agencies also have auxiliary (reserve) deputies, officers, or troopers (here-in known as officer). They are volunteer (unpaid) citizens and generally sworn positions with a lesser certification that requires assignment to a fully certified officer to exercise. Some auxiliary officers are fully certified law-enforcement officers by the state and are permitted by the hosting agency to operate without assignment to a fully certified officer. The services they provide to the community are equal to that of a full-service officer and each agency sets how much service time is required to maintain status as an auxiliary officer.
As of March 2016 the following agencies have auxiliary or reserve deputy, officer, or trooper positions.
<!---This may not be a complete list--->
* FHP Auxiliary
* FWC Reserve
* HCSO Reserve
* TPD Auxiliary
}}
|}
{| width="800" class="wikitable"
|-
|
{{show
|Special Events
|
During special events, multiple agencies provide off-duty officers for security and support. They work with the agency within whose jurisdiction the event is taking place. For example, college football games held at Raymond James Stadium are served primarily by TPD and FHP. Other agencies may also support the event.
}}
|}

==Hillsborough County Fire Rescue==
Hillsborough County Fire Rescue serves the unincorporated areas of Hillsborough County. Fire service began in the 1950s as an all-volunteer force consisting of about a dozen loosely associated community-based organizations. The first full-time career firefighters were hired in 1973.  The department now has 1,019 career uniformed and support personnel who continue to set the pace in fire and emergency medical response, making it the fourth-largest department in the state. Since the 1997 consolidation of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the department has placed paramedics on each career, front-line apparatus. The department operates 35 ALS transport ambulances, 46 Engine Companies, 5 Truck Companies, 2 Heavy Rescue's, 1 Hazardous Incident Unit, 1 Fire Boat and 1 Rescue Boat. These units operate out of 44 Fire Rescue stations located strategically throughout Hillsborough County. As of summer 2021, 2 additional stations are being constructed to bring that number up to 46. As nearly 85% of the department's more than 137,000 (2021)  <ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2022 |title=National Run Survey 2021 Part 2 |url=https://base.imgix.net/files/base/cygnus/fhc/document/2022/07/NRS_part_2_2021.62cd954455134.pdf |access-date=2024-08-12 |publisher=Firehouse Magazine}}</ref> emergency responses require some level of medical care, having paramedics assigned to each unit assures that the citizens of Hillsborough County are receiving rapid advanced life-support care.

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and the Board of County Commissioners have implemented a plan to continue placing new fire rescue stations in areas where growth is occurring or gaps in coverage may exist.  Fire Chief Dennis Jones leads a senior staff of two deputy chiefs (operations and administrative branches), the fire marshal, and the emergency manager.  All fiscal functions, facilities maintenance and supply, apparatus/equipment procurement, emergency dispatch manager, personnel chief, and training chief are under the direction of the deputy chief of administration.  The three Shift Commanders, as well as the Rescue Chief and the Special Operations Chief, report directly to the Deputy Chief of Operations. The Operations Chief is responsible for the overall response readiness of all front line personnel. The Emergency Manager oversees all Office of Emergency Management (OEM) planning and operations of the EOC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/firerescue/divisions/summary.cfm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624013509/http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/firerescue/divisions/summary.cfm|url-status=dead|title=Hillsborough Fire Rescue Summary|archivedate=June 24, 2008}}</ref>

===Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Office of Emergency Management===
The Office of Emergency Management is a division of Hillsborough County Fire Rescue that is directly responsible for planning and coordinating the evacuation and sheltering of all county residents in the event of a natural or manmade disaster. This agency is also responsible for planning, orchestrating and coordinating response actions and [[continuity of government]] in the aftermath of a major disaster. Preston Cook has been the Emergency Manager since 2011.

The Hurricane Evacuation Assessment Tool  has been created to assist residents of Hillsborough County by providing evacuation and sheltering information in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster. This interactive program was designed to assist the public in easily determining if they are in one of the five evacuation zones. It also provides information on shelters, hospitals, fire stations, and sandbag locations.

The Office of Emergency Management also provides information to the public on: Hurricane information, procedures for hazardous-materials spills, and flooding, tornado, wildfire, and terrorism preparedness.

==Transportation==
[[Image:EnteringHillsboroughCounty.JPG|thumb|upright|right|The [[Sunshine Skyway]] ([[Interstate 275 (Florida)|I-275]]) connects Pinellas to Manatee Counties. The middle span is in Hillsborough County.]]

=== Public transportation ===
Hillsborough County is served by [[Hillsborough Area Regional Transit]], also known as HART. They operate bus service as well as the [[TECO Line Streetcar]].

==== Intercity ====

* [[Amtrak]] ([[Silver Star (Amtrak train)|Silver Star]], [[Amtrak Thruway|Thruway bus service]])
* [[Greyhound Lines|Greyhound]]
* [[FlixBus|Flixbus]]
* [[RedCoach]]

===Airports===
The county's primary commercial aviation airport is [[Tampa International Airport]] in Tampa.  Other important airports include the [[Tampa Executive Airport]] near Brandon, [[Peter O. Knight Airport]] near [[downtown Tampa]], and the [[Plant City Airport]] near Plant City.

===Major freeways and roadways===
{{col-float|style=width:auto;margin-right:1em}}
'''Interstate Highways'''
: [[File:I-4.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 4]]
: [[File:I-75.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 75 in Florida|Interstate 75]]
: [[File:I-275.svg|30px]] [[Interstate 275 (Florida)|Interstate 275]]
{{col-float-break|style=width:auto;margin-right:1em}}
'''[[United States Numbered Highway System|U.S Routes]]'''
: [[File:US 41.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 41 in Florida|U.S. Route 41]]
: [[File:US 92.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 92]]
: [[File:US 301.svg|30px]] [[U.S. Route 301 in Florida|U.S. Route 301]]
{{col-float-break|style=width:auto}}
[[State highway|'''State Routes''']]
: [[File:Toll Florida 618.svg|30px]] [[Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway|State Route 618]]
: [[File:Florida 60.svg|25px]] [[Florida State Road 60|State Road 60]]
: [[File:Toll Florida 589.svg|30px]] [[Florida State Road 589|State Road 589]]
: [[File:Florida 580.svg|30px]] [[Florida State Road 580|State Road 580]]
{{col-float-end}}

==Nationally protected areas==
* [[Egmont Key National Wildlife Refuge]]

==Parks==
{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Alafia River Corridor Preserve]]
* [[Alderman's Ford Regional Park]]
* [[Balm-Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve]]
* [[Bell Creek Nature Preserve]]
* [[Blackwater Creek Preserve]]
* [[Brooker Creek Headwaters Nature Preserve]]
* [[Chito Branch Reserve]]
* [[Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve]]
* [[Edward Medard Park and Reservoir]]
* [[Fish Hawk Creek Preserve]]
* [[Hillsborough River State Park]]
* [[Lake Rogers Park]]
* [[Lettuce Lake Park]]
* [[Lithia Springs Regional Park]]
* [[Little Manatee River State Park]]
* [[Lower Green Swamp Preserve]]
* [[McKay Bay Nature Park]]
* [[Schultz Preserve]]
* [[Skyway Fishing Pier State Park]]
* [[Upper Tampa Bay Park]]
* [[Upper Tampa Bay Trail]]
* [[Wolf Branch Nature Preserve]]
{{div col end}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/residents/recreation-and-culture/parks/find-a-park|title=Find A Park|website=www.hillsboroughcounty.org|language=en|access-date=February 26, 2019}}</ref>

==Communities==
[[Image:Hillsborough County.jpg|thumb|400px|County subdivisions in Hillsborough County. Incorporated cities in bold; unincorporated CDPs in small font.]]
Despite its large population, there are only three incorporated places in Hillsborough County, all cities. Most of the area of the county is [[unincorporated area|unincorporated]] and falls under the jurisdiction of the Hillsborough County board of commissioners.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/bocc/|title=Hillsborough County, FL – Official Website – Board of County Commissioners|work=hillsboroughcounty.org}}</ref> As of 2020, more than two thirds of the county's population lived in unincorporated areas.

===Cities===
Populations are as of the 2020 census.
* [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]] – 384,959
* [[Plant City, Florida|Plant City]] – 39,764
* [[Temple Terrace, Florida|Temple Terrace]] – 26,690

===Census-designated places===
{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Apollo Beach, Florida|Apollo Beach]]
* [[Balm, Florida|Balm]]
* [[Bloomingdale, Florida|Bloomingdale]]
* [[Brandon, Florida|Brandon]]
* [[Carrollwood (CDP), Florida|Carrollwood]]
* [[Cheval, Florida|Cheval]]
* [[Citrus Park, Florida|Citrus Park]]
* [[Dover, Florida|Dover]]
* [[East Lake-Orient Park, Florida|East Lake-Orient Park]]
* [[Egypt Lake-Leto, Florida|Egypt Lake-Leto]]
* [[FishHawk, Florida|Fish Hawk]]
* [[Gibsonton, Florida|Gibsonton]]
* [[Keystone, Florida|Keystone]]
* [[Lake Magdalene, Florida|Lake Magdalene]]
* [[Lutz, Florida|Lutz]]
* [[Mango, Florida|Mango]]
* [[Northdale, Florida|Northdale]]
* [[Odessa, Florida|Odessa]]
* [[Palm River-Clair Mel, Florida|Palm River-Clair Mel]]
* [[Pebble Creek, Florida|Pebble Creek]]
* [[Progress Village, Florida|Progress Village]]
* [[Riverview, Florida|Riverview]]
* [[Ruskin, Florida|Ruskin]]
* [[Seffner, Florida|Seffner]]
* [[Sun City Center, Florida|Sun City Center]]
* [[Thonotosassa, Florida|Thonotosassa]]
* [[Town 'n' Country, Florida|Town 'n' Country]]
* [[University, Hillsborough County, Florida|University]]
* [[Valrico, Florida|Valrico]]
* [[Westchase, Florida|Westchase]]
* [[Wimauma, Florida|Wimauma]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Adamsville, Hillsborough County, Florida|Adamsville]]
* [[Alafia, Florida|Alafia]]
* [[Antioch, Florida|Antioch]]
* [[Bay Crest Park, Florida|Bay Crest Park]]
* [[Boyette, Florida|Boyette]] (former CDP, now part of Riverview)
* [[Clair-Mel City, Florida|Clair-Mel City]]
* [[Del Rio, Florida|Del Rio]]
* [[Durant, Florida|Durant]]
* [[East Lake, Hillsborough County, Florida|East Lake]]
* [[East Tampa, Florida|East Tampa]]
* [[Egypt Lake, Florida|Egypt Lake]]
* [[Fort Lonesome, Florida|Fort Lonesome]]
* [[Gulf City, Florida|Gulf City]]
* [[Hopewell, Hillsborough County, Florida|Hopewell]]
* [[Keysville, Florida|Keysville]]
* [[Knights, Florida|Knights]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.hillsborough.communityatlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/HILLSBOROUGH_COUNTY_Historic_Resources_Excerpts_Knights.pdf | title=Community Atlas}}</ref>
* [[Lake Fern, Florida|Lake Fern]]
* [[Leto, Florida|Leto]]
* [[Limona, Florida|Limona]]
* [[Lithia, Florida|Lithia]]
* [[Nowatney, Florida|Nowatney]]
* [[Orient Park, Florida|Orient Park]]
* [[Palma Ceia]]
* [[Palm River, Florida|Palm River]]
* [[Picnic, Florida|Picnic]]
* [[Pinecrest, Florida|Pinecrest]]
* [[Port Sutton, Florida|Port Sutton]]
* [[Rattlesnake (Tampa)|Rattlesnake]]
* [[Remlap, Florida|Remlap]]
* [[Rocky Creek, Florida|Rocky Creek]]
* [[Snows Corner, Florida|Snows Corner]]
* [[Sulphur Springs (Tampa)|Sulphur Springs]]
* [[Sun City, Florida|Sun City]]
* [[Sweetwater Creek, Florida|Sweetwater Creek]]
* [[Sydney, Florida|Sydney]]
* [[Trapnell, Florida|Trapnell]]
* [[Turkey Creek, Florida|Turkey Creek]]<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.hillsborough.communityatlas.usf.edu/upload/documents/HILLSBOROUGH_COUNTY_Historic_Resources_Excerpts_Turkey%20Creek.pdf | title=Community Atlas}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Historic towns===
{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}
* Bullfrog Corner
* Bone Valley
* Branchton
* Callsville
* Chataocolea
* Chicora
* Clarkwild
* Coronet
* Cork (now Dover, not to be confused with two other places named Cork)
* Cork (now Plant City)
* Cosme
* Dillon
* Diston
* [[Drew Park]], absorbed by Tampa
* East Cove
* Edeson
* Flora
* [[Fort Brooke]]
* Fort Foster
* Fort Sullivan
* Garden City
* Gary
* [[Gulf City]]
* Harney
* Hillsboro
* Ichipucksassa, aka Ichepucksassa, Hitchipucksassa (now Plant City)
* Idlewild Park
* Jackson Springs
* Keystone Park
* [[Knights Station]]
* Knowles
* Lake Fern
* Lighthall
* [[Lillibridge, Florida|Lillibridge]]
* Magdalene
* Magnolia
* Mangrove Point
* Manhattan (absorbed by Tampa)
* Marvinia
* Midway
* Mullins City
* Nicholls
* Oliphant
* Orient
* Peck
* Pelot
* Peru
* Prairie
* Riverhead
* Rocky Point
* Sparkman
* Stemper
* St Helena
* Trapnell (absorbed by Plant City)
* [[Welcome, Florida|Welcome]]
* Weldon
* Willow
* Youmans<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/maps/galleries/county/hillsborough/index.php|title=Florida Maps – Hillsborough County|author=Florida Center for Instructional Technology|work=usf.edu}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office]]
* [[Hillsborough County Public Schools]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Hillsborough County, Florida]]
* [[USS Hillsborough County (LST-827)|USS ''Hillsborough County'' (LST-827)]]
* [[Upper Tampa Bay Park]]
* [[List of schools in Hillsborough County, Florida]]
* [[List of counties in Florida]]
* [[List of tallest buildings in Tampa]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Hillsborough County, Florida
|North     = [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Polk County, Florida|Polk County]]
|Southeast = [[Hardee County, Florida|Hardee County]]
|South     = [[Manatee County, Florida|Manatee County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Pinellas County, Florida|Pinellas County]]
|Northwest =
}}

{{HCFPEI}}
{{Hillsborough County, Florida}}
{{Tampa Bay Area}}
{{Geography of Florida}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|27.91|-82.35|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-FL_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Hillsborough County, Florida| ]]
[[Category:Charter counties in Florida]]
[[Category:Counties in the Tampa Bay area]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties in Florida]]
[[Category:1834 establishments in Florida Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1834]]