Is Kennedy Hill safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Kennedy Hill as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Kennedy Hill
“Go with care. Kennedy Hill is primarily a working-class residential and semi-industrial neighborhood that offers very few direct tourist draws. Daytime travel to specific destinations or adjacent venues is generally fine, but elevated property crime rates and poor street lighting mean visitors should avoid wandering the area on foot after dark.”
About the area
Situated in eastern Hillsborough County just north of the Florida State Fairgrounds, Kennedy Hill is a modest, car-dependent residential community mixed with small commercial yards. It serves primarily as a quiet residential enclave with quick access to major corridors like I-4 and Hillsborough Avenue.
- Car-Dependent
- Working-Class
- Semi-Industrial
- Subdued
Walking and biking in Kennedy Hill
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no bike-share stations or designated multi-use trails in the immediate neighborhood, requiring cyclists to share high-speed roadway shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Immediate proximity to regional entertainment hubs including the Florida State Fairgrounds and Seminole Hard Rock Casino.
- Lower population density reduces heavy street-level opportunistic crime compared to inner-city urban cores.
- Convenient roadway access to major transit arteries like I-4, US-301, and MLK Jr. Boulevard.
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle burglary rates are elevated compared to national and suburban county benchmarks.
- Below-average median household income and higher poverty indicators relative to the wider Tampa metro area.
- Subpar pedestrian infrastructure with missing sidewalks, ditch drainage, and limited evening street lighting.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately noticeable along major commercial corridors like Hillsborough Avenue and near highway overpasses, though residential side streets remain mostly unaffected.
What Kennedy Hill is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and quiet with regular commuter traffic; safe for driving and routine morning activities.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Low pedestrian activity and steady commercial traffic, posing minimal risk with basic situational awareness.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dark as businesses shut down; walking along unlit corridors is not recommended.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Poorly lit and isolated; walking through residential or semi-industrial pockets late at night carries noticeable safety risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) operates bus service along perimeter thoroughfares via Route 34 on Hillsborough Avenue and Route 38 on Orient Road. There is no passenger rail or BRT connection in this sector.
Parking is readily available and free via dedicated business surface lots and private residential driveways, with no metered zones or parking garages.
Things to do in Kennedy Hill
- Attend seasonal festivals, expos, or the annual fair at the adjacent Florida State Fairgrounds.
- Catch a major outdoor concert at the nearby MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre.
- Visit the nearby Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino for dining, gaming, and entertainment.
Local favorites
- Popi's Place IV · Diner · 4.5★ (1150)A casual local spot serving hearty American and Greek diner classics for breakfast and lunch.
- Hard Rock Cafe Tampa · American Restaurant · 4.3★ (3420)High-energy dining venue featuring music memorabilia, classic burgers, and cocktails inside the nearby casino complex.
- Taqueria Emanuel · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (380)Authentic, unpretentious taco stand known for flavorful street tacos and fresh salsas.
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.