Is College Hill safe?

“Go with care. College Hill has deep cultural ties to East Tampa's history, but visitors should exercise caution due to above-average violent and property crime rates. Casual tourists generally have little reason to explore the residential side streets, particularly after dark.”

East Tampa corridors continue to be a focus for Tampa Police Department community policing initiatives and city-funded revitalization investments.

College Hill is an urban, historically African American residential neighborhood located in East Tampa, just north of historic Ybor City. The area features a mix of single-family residences, public housing redevelopments, community parks, and local civic centers.

• Residential
• Historic Community
• Urban Grid
• Car-Dependent

Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 52/100

There is minimal dedicated cycling infrastructure on neighborhood streets, and connections to major regional trails like the Tampa Riverwalk require navigating busy, non-separated urban roadways.

Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in the residential interior, though individuals experiencing homelessness and occasional panhandling are seen along major commercial corridors such as East Hillsborough Avenue and North 22nd Street.

Morning · 5a – 11a

Mornings are quiet and generally safe as residents commute and school buses make their rounds.

Afternoon · 11a – 5p

Afternoons see moderate neighborhood activity around parks and corner stores, suitable for daytime visits with standard awareness.

Evening · 5p – 10p

Evenings require heightened caution as foot traffic decreases and street lighting is uneven on residential blocks.

Late night · 10p – 5a

Late nights are not recommended for walking or unfamiliar visitors due to elevated crime risks and lack of active commercial foot traffic.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) provides local bus connections along perimeter arterials such as Route 9 on 15th Street and Route 12 on 22nd Street. There is no passenger rail or BRT station in the immediate neighborhood.

Parking is primarily residential on-street or in private driveways, with no meters or paid public parking garages.

• Visit Cyrus Greene Park for outdoor recreation, swimming pool access, and neighborhood sports
• Tour the historic East Tampa corridor to learn about local African American heritage and civil rights landmarks
• Make a short trip south to Ybor City to experience historic brick streets, Cuban cuisine, and museums

• Big John's Alabama BBQ · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (1420)
  Longstanding East Tampa landmark serving pit-smoked ribs, sausage, pulled pork, and traditional southern sides.
• Steph's Southern Soul Restaurant · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.4★ (590)
  Beloved neighborhood counter-serve staple known for oxtails, fried chicken, mac and cheese, and collard greens.
• Cyrus Greene Community Center · Recreation Center · 4.3★ (115)
  City-run recreation hub featuring a public pool, athletic courts, and community programming.