Tampa is a beautiful town full of white sand beaches, modern style homes, and a thriving city. Home to Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and other museums, Tampa is a place that people come to visit every year for vacation, but plenty of people decide to live here as well! When relocating to the Tampa area, it’s important to find a neighborhood that suits your needs. Some Tampa neighborhoods are best for elderly people, some are best for kids, and others are best for affordability. Because Tampa is a big city, there are good and bad parts in the area. When you’re looking for the safest communities in Tampa, you want to ensure that your property and family safe, secure, and protected. One of the easiest ways to find the safest Tampa neighborhoods is to look at the crime rates.
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Crime Stats in Tampa
Like any large city, Tampa has its fair share of crime. However, there are many areas that don’t see quite as much crime as the rest. Some of Tampa’s crime statistics are:
- There is 19% less crime overall in Tampa than the national average
- Property crime is 24% lower in Tampa than when compared to the national average
- Violent crime is 7% higher in Tampa than the national average, meaning more murders and assaults occur
- The victim rate in Tampa is 1 in 49 people
- Crime is dropping by 6% in Tampa each year
- Tampa is safer than 31% of United States cities
One great thing about Tampa crime is that there is an interactive crime map available here. You can see the different types of crimes and exactly where they happened, which can help you narrow down a safe part of Tampa for you.
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Safest Neighborhoods in Tampa
If you want a community in Tampa that is safe, you should look at the crime stats, but also a few other things, like median home costs and the different people living in the neighborhood. Whether you want fun parks for kids in Tampa or somewhere to retire close to the water, there is a suburb in Tampa for you!
Parkland Estates – Perfect for Kids
- Crime: 1.89 incidents per 1,000 people
- Median Home Price: $970,000
- Great for: Kids, families, established adults
Parkland Estates is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Tampa. This Tampa neighborhood is very safe, especially considering it’s so close to Downtown. If you’re planning to commute to work Downtown, this is a great place to be. The homes are large and on good-sized lots, but beware that many of them are over a million dollars. So, this isn’t a place that everyone can afford!
However, it is home to many children. 25% of the households have children under the age of 18, and the population of this safe Tampa neighborhood is 1,000. If you’re looking for upscale or luxury living, this is the place to go!
Harbour Island – Great Location in Downtown
- Crime: 1.06 crimes per 1,000 people
- Median Home Price: $428,000
- Great for: Single adults and married couples
For those who want Downtown living, Harbour Island is the safest Tampa neighborhood near downtown. You won’t find any homes here, but apartments and condos are plentiful. You can expect to be surrounded by older adults, single adults, and married couples. There are very few children here, and most people are in their twenties to thirties. It’s really an island, so you’ll be surrounded by water on all sides. However, there is a bridge that connects you to the rest of the mainland, and it’s not too crowded during rush hour.
Oldsmar – In The Top 10 Safest Florida Neighborhoods
- Crime: 0.89 crimes per 1,000 people
- Median Home Price: $282,000
- Great For: Young families, professionals, and those with kids
Oldsmar is a beautiful town in Tampa Bay that ranked as the 8th safest city in Florida. It’s in Northwest Tampa and located right at the top of Old Tampa Bay. Oldsmar is known for having beautiful parks, which is what attracts many young families. It also holds the Tampa Corgi Races, which draws many people out here to see the dogs running.
There are many elementary schools in Oldsmar, including top-rated Forest Lakes Elementary School and Oldsmar Elementary School. The population in Oldsmar is 13,591, and the majority of homes have kids under the age of 18. If you’re looking to be in an area that’s safe, full of kids, and has lots of green space and parks, Oldsmar is the best Tampa neighborhood for safety.
Safety Harbor – Best for Beach Living
- Crime: 1.07 violent crimes per 1,000 people
- Median Home Price: $349,000
- Great for: Those retiring and older families
Right on the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay is Safety Harbor, the 15th safest neighborhood in Florida. This is a good size Tampa suburb with over 16,000 people residing here. However, due to the higher cost of homes and the smaller lots and condos available, there aren’t too many families living here. The families that do live here often have older kids. It’s a great place to retire since it’s right on the water and is a safe Tampa neighborhood.
Many people like residing here because it’s close to the beautiful Clearwater Beach, which is known around the world as one of the best beaches. Because of this, many of the homes in the neighborhood are VRBOs and rentals.
Palma Ceia – Well Known for the Best Florida Living
- Crime: 0.93 crimes per 1,000 people
- Median Home Price: $635,000
- Great for: Wealthy families and those who want upscale living
Palma Ceia is one of the safest Tampa neighborhoods. Home to over 4,000 people, there are less than one crime per 1,000 people, which is incredibly low. It has a golf and country club, which many people travel all over to see, and it’s right on Hillsborough Bay. There is a healthy mix of retired individuals and families, but there aren’t too many young kids. Though there are many homes in the area, most people live in condos or apartments.
Beach Park – Waterfront Views and Close Proximity to Downtown
- Crime: 1.8 violent crimes per 1,000 people
- Median Home Price: $870,000
- Great for: Single adults, retired individuals, and vacation rentals
Beach Park is a waterfront neighborhood that has gorgeous townhomes, condos, and apartments. Though it’s not on the ocean, it does border Old Tampa Bay and is near Downtown. It’s fairly expensive to live here. If you want one of the safest Tampa neighborhoods, this is by far one of the best. With easy access to shopping like Bayshore Boulevard and the ease of living close to the downtown area, this is the perfect spot for those who want to reside where work options are plentiful.
If you want to make yourself a part of any of these communities, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Largo, FL or let us introduce you to a local agent in the area.
High Crime Areas of Tampa
Just like with any big city, Tampa has some areas that are best avoided if you’re looking for safe neighborhoods in Tampa. The worst neighborhoods in Tampa have extremely high crime rates, and they aren’t the best to purchase property in. Some popular Tampa neighborhoods to avoid include:
- Orient Park: Crime rates 60% higher than the rest of Tampa
- Live Oaks Square: 1 in 20 chance of becoming a victim of a crime
- Highland Pines: Crime rates 233% higher than the rest of Tampa
- Woodland Terrace: Crime rates 170% higher than the rest of Tampa
- College Hill: 795 violent crimes per 100,000 people
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Safest Tampa Neighborhoods FAQs
Is downtown Tampa safe?
Much of Downtown Tampa is safe, but there are areas east of downtown to avoid.
Which neighborhoods should you avoid in Tampa?
College Hill, Woodland Terrace, Highland Pines, Live Oaks Square, and Orient Park.
Is it safe to live in Tampa, Florida?
Yes, it’s safe to live in Tampa, and there are only a few neighborhoods you should avoid.
Safe Neighborhoods in Tampa Map
Looking for the safest neighborhoods in Tampa because you’re moving here? Well, don’t do it alone! Call 2 College Brothers at 813-922-1528, the best Tampa moving company in the area for a free quote today!
