Is Clair-Mel City safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Clair-Mel City as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Clair-Mel City
“Go with care. Clair-Mel City is a predominantly residential, working-class suburban community east of Tampa that offers few tourist attractions. Visitors passing through for authentic local Latin eateries should remain aware of their surroundings and avoid walking residential side streets after dark.”
Local law enforcement maintains active patrols in the area due to periodic reports of property crime, vehicular break-ins, and localized disputes along commercial corridors like 78th Street.
About the area
Clair-Mel City is an unincorporated suburban enclave in Hillsborough County characterized by modest mid-century single-family homes, local strip malls, and light industrial corridors. It serves primarily as a residential commuter hub for workers in greater Tampa and Brandon.
- Working-Class
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban Strip
- Quiet Residential
Walking and biking in Clair-Mel City
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
The area lacks dedicated bike-share programs and protected bike lanes; connections to regional multi-use paths like the Selmon Greenway or Tampa Riverwalk require navigating busy vehicular roads westward.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower overall violent crime rates compared to inner-city East Tampa core districts
- Close proximity and straightforward road access to downtown Tampa, Ybor City, and Brandon
- Pockets of established, long-term homeowners maintaining quiet residential streets
Cons
- Above-average property crime and auto theft rates compared to Hillsborough County suburban averages
- Poverty rate exceeding 18% with lower median household incomes relative to the Tampa metro area
- Poor pedestrian infrastructure including limited sidewalks, sparse street lighting, and heavy vehicle traffic on main arteries
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present along primary thoroughfares such as Causeway Boulevard and 78th Street, often near commercial plazas, bus stops, and highway underpasses, with formal services mostly concentrated in central Tampa.
What Clair-Mel City is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and bustling with local commuters and school traffic; commercial plazas are safe for brief stops.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Steady traffic along 78th Street and Causeway Boulevard with active business plazas, presenting minimal safety concerns for visitors.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity drops quickly outside main commercial strips; poorly lit side streets warrant heightened personal awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and isolated with elevated risk for auto burglaries and sporadic street-level incidents; walking through residential blocks is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) operates local bus routes through the area, notably Route 8 and Route 360, though frequency is limited and there is no direct passenger rail connection.
Ample free surface parking is readily available at local strip malls, restaurants, and grocery stores; residential street parking is informal and generally unmetered.
Things to do in Clair-Mel City
- Explore authentic Puerto Rican and Mexican cuisine along the South 78th Street corridor
- Visit the nearby historic Ybor City district just a ten-minute drive to the west
- Enjoy outdoor recreation and sports fields at the nearby Larry Sanders Sports Complex
Local favorites
- Mi Viejo San Juan Restaurant · Puerto Rican Restaurant · 4.4★ (680)Popular local eatery serving generous portions of classic mofongo, pernil, and traditional Caribbean sides.
- Taqueria Emanuel · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (320)Unassuming neighborhood taco spot known for authentic street tacos, handmade tortillas, and flavorful salsas.
- La Flor De Jalisco · Bakery & Grocer · 4.6★ (210)Neighborhood panaderia offering freshly baked Mexican sweet breads, savory pastries, and specialty staples.
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.