Is Clarkwild safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Clarkwild as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Clarkwild
“Go with care. Clarkwild is a modest residential pocket in North Tampa located near the Busch Gardens corridor. While daytime visits and transiting to nearby attractions are generally fine, visitors should stay aware of higher property crime rates and stick to well-lit areas at night.”
About the area
Clarkwild is a small, quiet residential community in North Tampa characterized by mid-century single-family homes and modest rental properties. It sits just west of major regional attractions along East Busch Boulevard, offering a functional suburban base rather than a distinct tourist enclave. Visitors mostly pass through for nearby dining or when staying in affordable rentals close to the theme parks.
- Suburban Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Modest
- Commercial Perimeter
Walking and biking in Clarkwild
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Painted bike lanes are available along sections of Busch Boulevard and 15th Street, though high vehicle speeds require caution; there is no local bike-share docking network.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Conveniently located minutes from Busch Gardens and Adventure Island
- Ample and hassle-free free parking in both residential and commercial zones
- Diverse and affordable local dining options along the Busch Boulevard corridor
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle break-in rates are elevated compared to Hillsborough County averages
- Below-average median household income and higher local poverty rates in surrounding tracts
- High-speed arterial traffic on perimeter roads poses risks for pedestrians at night
Homelessness: Homelessness is moderately visible along the Busch Boulevard commercial corridor near bus shelters and major intersections, but it is not a prominent feature within the interior residential blocks.
What Clarkwild is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet with regular commuter activity and school traffic navigating neighborhood streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and generally safe, though commercial traffic picks up along the Busch Boulevard perimeter.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet in the interior residential blocks, while retail plazas along the perimeter remain moderately busy.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Noticeably darker with limited foot traffic; situational awareness is strongly advised if walking outdoors.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) serves the area via Route 39 on Busch Boulevard and Route 9 along 15th Street, connecting to broader Tampa hubs. There is no rail service in this district.
Street parking is generally free and accessible along residential roadways, and nearby commercial plazas provide ample free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Clarkwild
- Visit the adjacent Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for theme park rides and animal exhibits
- Sample local brews and pub fare at the nearby Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen
- Grab a quick bite at the long-standing Tampa landmark Mel's Hot Dogs
Local favorites
- Mel's Hot Dogs · Hot Dog Restaurant · 4.5★ (3950)Long-running, quirky roadside institution serving Chicago-style dogs, burgers, and fries.
- Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen · Brewpub · 4.6★ (1600)Sprawling brewery restaurant featuring draft beers, outdoor seating, and live entertainment.
- Jerk Hut Island Grille & Beach Club · Caribbean Restaurant · 4.3★ (2150)Vibrant Caribbean eatery known for authentic jerk chicken, curry goat, and tropical cocktails.
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.