Hillsborough County Map, Florida
Explore the definitive interactive map and reference guide to Hillsborough County, Florida. With a population of 1,459,762 living across 1,020 square miles of land, Hillsborough County is one of 5 counties in the Tampa Bay region. The county seat is Tampa, and the county carries the FIPS identifier 12057 in U.S. Census and USGS datasets.
Hillsborough contains Tampa and anchors the Tampa Bay metropolitan area — Florida's third-largest region. Port Tampa Bay is Florida's largest port by tonnage; MacDill Air Force Base hosts U.S. Central and Special Operations Commands.
Hillsborough County at a glance
A concise reference summary of Hillsborough County's key statistics — useful for research, real estate, relocation, travel planning, GIS workflows, journalism, and civics education.
- Official name
- Hillsborough County
- County seat
- Tampa
- FIPS code
- 12057
- Region
- Tampa Bay
- Established
- 1834
- Named for
- Wills Hill, Lord Hillsborough, British colonial secretary.
- Land area
- 1,020 sq mi
- Water area
- 246 sq mi
- Total area
- 1,266 sq mi
- Population (2020)
- 1,459,762
- Population density
- 1431 / sq mi
- Time zone
- Eastern Time
Where is Hillsborough County, Florida?
Hillsborough County is located in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Tampa, is the administrative hub — home to the courthouse, county commission chambers, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court.
The county spans a total of 1,266 square miles — 1,020 of land and 246 of water — and operates on Eastern Time. Federal agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, USGS, and FEMA reference the county by its FIPS code, 12057, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.
Hillsborough County shares borders with 4 neighboring counties: Pasco County, Polk County, Manatee County, Pinellas County. Use the interactive map above to explore where those boundaries meet or jump directly to any neighboring county page for a side-by-side comparison.
Hillsborough County geography & landscape
Tampa Bay estuary, coastal mangroves, oak hammock, and the Hillsborough and Alafia Rivers. Plant City lies in the eastern strawberry belt.
The county's overall footprint — 1,020 square miles of land plus 246 square miles of water — places it in the mid-range of Florida's 67 counties by area. Elevation across most of Florida is modest, and land-use, drainage basins, and habitat corridors defined by state and federal agencies (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Water Management Districts) shape how growth and conservation coexist here.
Economy & industry in Hillsborough County
Health care (Moffitt, Tampa General, AdventHealth), financial services (Citi, Raymond James, Fifth Third), aviation (TPA), U.S. military (MacDill), tourism, agriculture (Plant City strawberries), and a fast-growing tech corridor.
Employment, tax base, and land use in Hillsborough County reflect its location in Tampa Bay and its position as one of Florida's most populous counties. Economic development authorities, chambers of commerce, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity publish updated employer and workforce data for the county on their portals.
History of Hillsborough County
Established 1834. Tampa grew as a cigar-manufacturing center in the 1880s–1930s (Ybor City), fueled by Cuban and Sicilian immigration. The 1898 Spanish-American War and later WWII naval and air operations shaped the city.
Established in 1834, Hillsborough County is one of Florida's earliest counties. Its boundaries, seat, and government have evolved through territorial, statehood, Reconstruction, and modern eras — a lineage documented by the Florida Historical Society, the State Archives of Florida, and the Hillsborough County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.
Tourism & things to do in Hillsborough County
Busch Gardens, Tampa Riverwalk, Ybor City, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, Amalie Arena (Lightning), Raymond James Stadium (Buccaneers), and the Florida Aquarium.
Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, Hillsborough County offers a mix of natural, cultural, and community attractions tied to its Tampa Bay identity. For the latest hours, admission fees, and seasonal events, check the county's official tourism development council and the Florida State Parks portal (floridastateparks.org).
Cities, towns & communities in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County contains the following incorporated cities, towns, and notable census-designated places. Each municipality provides local services, zoning, and police protection within the broader county jurisdiction. Use the ZIP code lookupto jump between Florida counties instantly.
Getting to Hillsborough County
Access routes and regional transportation infrastructure serving Hillsborough County.
- I-4
- I-75
- I-275
- Selmon Expressway
- US-41
- US-92
- US-301
- Tampa International (TPA)
- MacDill AFB
- Peter O. Knight (TPF)
Hillsborough County GIS, parcel & boundary data
Hillsborough County's authoritative boundary lines, parcel data, zoning layers, flood zones, and land-use inventories are maintained by county government and state agencies. Use the official links in the sidebar for parcel lookups, appraiser searches, and record requests. For statewide GIS, the Florida Geographic Data Library (FGDL) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection publish downloadable layers keyed to FIPS 12057.
You can download this county's outline as SVG, PNG, or a printable PDF factsheet using the export tools in the sidebar — perfect for reports, presentations, classroom handouts, or planning documents.
Frequently asked about Hillsborough County
Population figures reflect the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 decennial count with ACS 5-year updates where noted. Land and water areas come from the U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line boundary files. Highway designations use Florida Department of Transportation route inventories. County establishment dates and namesakes are drawn from the Florida Association of Counties and State Archives of Florida. See our methodology page.
Nearby Florida counties
Counties that share a border with Hillsborough County. Click any to view its map, seat, cities, and full guide.