Is Carrollwood safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Carrollwood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Carrollwood
“Go. Carrollwood is one of Tampa's most established, tranquil, and low-crime suburban communities, offering quiet residential streets, excellent parks, and abundant commercial corridors. Visitors will feel completely comfortable exploring the area by car, with safety concerns primarily limited to busy roadway traffic and occasional petty property theft in retail parking lots.”
About the area
Carrollwood is an expansive, leafy suburb in northwest Hillsborough County characterized by mature oak trees, lakefront subdivisions, and bustling strip plazas along North Dale Mabry Highway. Primarily residential with a mix of mid-century and 1980s planned developments, it serves as a peaceful base for dining, shopping, and family-friendly recreation just 15 minutes north of Tampa International Airport.
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined Suburb
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet & Established
Walking and biking in Carrollwood
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 44/100
There is no city bike-share program here; cycling is comfortable on quiet subdivision loops and dedicated paths in Carrollwood Village Park, but North Dale Mabry lacks safe cycling infrastructure.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than both city of Tampa and national averages.
- Strong socioeconomic stability with high homeownership rates and household incomes well above the county median.
- Well-maintained public parks, community amenities, and active neighborhood civic associations.
Cons
- Car-centric design with high-speed, congested traffic along North Dale Mabry Highway.
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle break-ins in commercial parking plazas and unfenced driveways.
- Poor pedestrian connectivity between residential enclaves and retail strips.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within residential neighborhoods, though occasional panhandling occurs at major arterial intersections like Dale Mabry Highway and Fletcher Avenue.
What Carrollwood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and active with joggers, dog walkers, and commuters navigating quiet subdivision streets in complete safety.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy along commercial arterials with shoppers and diners, maintaining a very secure environment across all public spaces.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Plazas and neighborhood restaurants remain lively and safe, while residential side streets quiet down significantly.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Subdivisions are dark and exceptionally quiet with minimal foot traffic, though safety remains high with standard vigilance against property theft.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) operates bus service through the area primarily via Route 36 along Dale Mabry Highway and Route 33 on Fletcher Avenue; there is no light rail or BRT connection.
Parking is abundant, free, and straightforward across large surface lots in shopping centers and at neighborhood public parks.
Things to do in Carrollwood
- Enjoy the splash pad, walking trails, skate park, and boardwalks at Carrollwood Village Park.
- Attend a live theater performance, concert, or art exhibit at the Carrollwood Cultural Center.
- Dine and shop at diverse independent restaurants along the Dale Mabry Highway retail corridor.
Local favorites
- Noble Crust · Italian-Southern Fusion Restaurant · 4.6★ (2850)A popular dining destination blending traditional Italian cooking with Southern ingredients and craft cocktails.
- Carrollwood Cultural Center · Arts and Community Center · 4.7★ (420)A vibrant hub hosting art exhibits, theatrical productions, workshops, and seasonal community events.
- Vallartas Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (2150)A long-standing local favorite offering generous Mexican platters and margaritas in a festive setting.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.