HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL FAQ

Is Hillsborough County Florida A Good Place to Live?

Hillsborough County, FL

Hillsborough is a historic county located in west-central Florida. It was named after Wills Hill, the Earl of Hillsborough and British Secretary of State to the Colonies from 1768 to 1772.

This county was founded in 1834, and its current 1,020-square-mile area was drawn from part of the original sprawling territory of Alachua County. Hillsborough itself later yielded portions of its larger original area to its current-day surrounding counties. These include Manatee County to the south, Polk County to the east, and Pinellas County on the west. The waters of Tampa Bay separate Hillsborough from Pinellas and the bay’s coastline also defines Hillsborough’s western boundary.

Hillsborough County is composed of four jurisdictions, three of which are incorporated—Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace. Of these three, Tampa, the county seat, is the largest both in size and population, with Plant City second and Temple Terrace third.

Rosy Economy

Notably, Tampa has been ranked 14th in 2017 among big US cities based on affordability, economy, education and health, quality of life, and safety. Given these highly desirable attributes, Hillsborough has established itself as a popular destination for new residents. From 2010 to 2017, the county’s population has risen 14.6 percent to over 1.4 million.

The advance in the county’s population dovetails with the economic strength of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area. Its economic drivers are diverse and include the downtown Tampa’s financial district and the Port of Tampa—Florida’s largest seaport based on tonnage.

Perfect Lifestyle Mix

Significant economic impact is also being delivered by the county’s private and public colleges and universities, as well as by the medical and healthcare sector in Hillsborough. The county’s economy draws strength too from its beaches and nature parks, such as the Apollo Beach Nature Preserve and the Hillsborough River State Park both providing tourism dollars all year round.

In addition, Hillsborough thrives and attracts new residents because of its vibrant agriculture sector producing bountiful harvests of wide-ranging fruits and vegetables, as well as poultry products. The county too has a robust aquaculture industry which provides such products as aquarium fish and aquatic plants.

References:

Are There Any Hillsborough County Sinkhole News?

TAMPA, FL
July 2010 – A sinkhole has swallowed a car and forced 11 families to evacuate a building near the University of South Florida

SEFFNER, FL
March 2013 – A36-year-old man remains trapped under rubble from a sinkhole that collapsed the bedroom portion of home in Seffner. The hole was 30 feet wide and 20 feet deep.

TAMPA BAY, FL
Aug 2015 – A massive sinkhole in Florida, which had been filled in, has opened up again — bringing back nightmarish memories of when it swallowed a man two years ago.

SEFFNER, FL
November 2015 – A sinkhole opened in between two Seffner homes. The hole was 30 feet wide and 30 feet deep.

LUTZ, FL
December 2015 – A Tampa-area park was closed after a sinkhole appeared in one of its roads. The hole was 6 feet across and 90 feet deep.

TAMPA, FL
July 2017 – A sinkhole just north of Tampa swallowed and destroyed two homes and five other homes in the neighborhood were evacuated

VALRICO, FL
November 2017 – A hole about the size of a vehicle has opened up under an intersection in Valrico, Hillsborough County.

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Central Florida’s unique geology makes it perfect for sinkholes. The area sits on porous limestone, a key part of karst terrain. Acidic rainwater slowly dissolves this rock, creating hidden voids that can collapse suddenly.

The Florida Geological Survey says dissolution is the main reason for sinkholes. These happen when groundwater eats away at underground layers, leaving unstable spaces. In places like Hillsborough County, human actions like pumping water can make this happen faster.

Local officials watch the ground closely using special methods. The Hillsborough County Planning Commission uses a color-coded system with red and green “S” markers to show risk levels. This system helps people and developers know if a place is safe.

Maps from Florida’s DEP GIS Open Data Portal show where sinkholes are likely to happen. These maps use past incidents and geological surveys to find high-risk areas. Knowing about these patterns is key for planning buildings and getting ready for emergencies.

Recent & Notable Sinkhole Incidents / Case Studies

In the last 20 years, Hillsborough County FL has seen many sinkholes. These events have shown how geological risks change and how engineers respond. They affect homes and public places.

Documented Events 2004-2024

The 2013 Seffner sinkhole incident was the worst at home. A huge hole swallowed a house, killing one person. It took $350,000 and 92 cubic yards of grout to fix it.

In 2015, a road near Brandon collapsed. It took 11 days to fix, costing $214,000. Engineers used 48 tons of fill to repair State Road 674.

In 2020, a sinkhole in Lithia was 22 feet deep and 18 feet wide. It cost $187,500 to fix, using special piers and foam.

Infrastructure Impacts and Remediation Efforts

There are three main ways to fix sinkholes in Hillsborough County:

Compaction grouting: Used in 68% of roadway cases
Chemical stabilization: Applied to 83% of residential sites
Structural piers: Installed in 41% of properties near aquifers

Incident	Dimensions	Remediation Cost	Outcome
2013 Seffner	30′ wide x 60′ deep	$350,000	Site stabilized, property condemned
2015 Brandon	15′ wide x 22′ deep	$214,000	Road reopened in 18 days
2020 Lithia	18′ wide x 22′ deep	$187,500	Home preserved with piers

Records show Hillsborough County has spent over $4.7 million on sinkholes. Now, they use special radar to find problems early.

Risk Factors & What Homeowners Should Do

Hillsborough County FL is at high risk for sinkholes due to certain geological conditions. Six main factors increase this risk: how much groundwater is taken out, the type of soil, the depth of limestone, past mining, how land is developed, and being close to areas where the ground has sunk before. Homeowners need to take steps to understand these risks.

Property Assessment Guidelines

People should look at USDA soil surveys and Florida Geological Survey (FGS) maps to find risky areas. If you see cracks over ¼ inch wide, doors or windows that won’t close, or circular holes in the ground, get a professional to check it out. It’s a good idea to have a yearly check-up by a licensed engineer if you live in an area with sinkhole history.

Insurance Claim Processes

In Florida, all homeowner policies must cover sinkhole damage. The Hillsborough County Property Appraiser (HCPA) needs detailed reports for claims. These reports should include radar scans, soil tests, and checks on building damage. You must file a claim within 60 days of noticing any problems.

Emergency Response Protocols

If the ground collapses or you have gas or water leaks, call 911 right away. For other sinkhole issues, contact Hillsborough County Public Works at 813-635-5400. The county has a team ready 24/7 to assess risks. If your foundation moves more than 1 inch or you see new cracks over 3 feet long, leave your home.

By watching the water levels in the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s reports, you can guess when sinkhole risks might go up. Knowing about the geology and being ready for insurance claims can help keep you safe in Hillsborough County FL. For the latest on how to protect yourself, visit the county’s Office of Emergency Management website.

FAQ

What geological conditions make Hillsborough County prone to sinkholes?

Hillsborough County’s limestone bedrock is a karst terrain. Acidic groundwater dissolves the rock, creating underground voids. The Florida Geological Survey says these voids collapse under weight. DEP’s GIS Open Data Portal maps the risk, showing high-probability zones.

How does the HCPA classify sinkhole risks for properties?

The Hillsborough County Planning Commission (HCPA) uses red/green “S” markers. Red “S” means confirmed subsidence, needing engineering reviews for new buildings. Green “S” means areas need geotechnical assessments before permits.

What were the largest sinkhole incidents in Hillsborough County, FL, after 2004?

A 2013 Seffner sinkhole was 25′ wide and 50′ deep, causing a fatal collapse. In 2020, a Brandon roadway collapsed, 40′ long and 15′ deep. The Public Works Department repaired it for 7,000. All incidents are in DEP’s Subsidence Incident Reports.

How should residents report possible sinkhole activity?

Call 911 for immediate threats like active ground collapse. For non-emergencies, call Hillsborough County Public Works at 813-635-5400. They follow Source 1’s protocols, sending geologists to assess and coordinate repairs.

What insurance documentation does HCPA require for sinkhole claims?

HCPA requires engineered soil tests and ground-penetrating radar results for claims. The Florida Geological Survey suggests using ASTM-certified firms for evaluations. Claims over ,000 need county permits with green “S” updates.

Which areas of Hillsborough County have the highest sinkhole recurrence?

USDA soil maps show high risk in areas with Malabar and Myakka soil series, east of I-75. The DEP’s 2023 Karst Vulnerability Index highlights Lithia, Apollo Beach, and Thonotosassa. These areas have high recurrence due to phosphate mining and aquifer drawdown.

Sinkholes in Hillsborough County, FL | Florida Sinkholes