Is Lithia safe?
Tampa, Florida · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Lithia as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Lithia
“Go. Lithia is an exceptionally safe, affluent master-planned and semi-rural community in southeastern Hillsborough County. Visitors coming for outdoor recreation, state parks, or quiet family visits will find virtually no safety hazards, though a private vehicle is necessary.”
About the area
Lithia is a tranquil suburban and natural sanctuary known for the master-planned FishHawk communities and expansive county and state nature preserves. The area features manicured subdivisions, high-ranking schools, and rolling pine flatwoods along the Alafia River.
- Family-Friendly
- Master-Planned
- Nature / Parks
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Lithia
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no public bike-share systems, but the FishHawk development features 25+ miles of paved multi-use paths and Alafia River State Park offers world-class off-road mountain biking trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent and property crime rates rank among the lowest in the greater Tampa Bay metropolitan area.
- High economic stability with median household incomes exceeding $125,000 and poverty rates below 4%.
- Extensive network of well-maintained parks, community recreation centers, and nature preserves.
Cons
- Highly car-dependent with long commute times and peak-hour traffic bottlenecks along FishHawk Boulevard.
- Isolated from urban conveniences, cultural institutions, and major medical centers in Tampa.
- Occasional opportunistic property theft targeting unlocked vehicles parked in residential driveways.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Lithia due to its master-planned residential nature and significant distance from central county social services.
What Lithia is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Vibrant and calm with active joggers, dog-walkers, and school commutes in a completely secure setting.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and sunny with light neighborhood traffic and safe public spaces around schools and community parks.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Peaceful atmosphere with families gathering at local sports fields and plazas with no notable safety risks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very dark and quiet with virtually zero street activity; exceptionally safe though street lighting is minimal in rural pockets.
Transit, parking and getting around
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) does not operate regular local bus service in Lithia, offering only sparse commuter express options toward downtown Tampa during peak weekday hours.
Parking is completely free and widely available in open surface lots at commercial plazas, trailheads, and parks, with no metered parking or parking garages.
Things to do in Lithia
- Ride premier mountain bike trails or launch a canoe at Alafia River State Park.
- Explore the shaded paved trails, boardwalks, and canoe launch at Alderman's Ford Conservation Park.
- Relax, dine, and visit community events at the FishHawk Ranch Town Center.
Local favorites
- The Landing Bar & Grill · American Restaurant · 4.3★ (860)A popular neighborhood tavern offering wings, burgers, craft beer, and outdoor patio seating.
- FishHawk Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.4★ (740)Longstanding local favorite serving New York-style pizzas, calzones, and classic Italian pasta dishes.
- Art Monkey Studio · Art Studio & Cafe · 4.7★ (210)Family-friendly paint-your-own-pottery studio serving specialty coffees and ice cream.
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.