Hillsborough County Real Estate Information

Hillsborough County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida . As of 2000 , the population is 998,948. Its county seat is Tampa, Florida 6 .

Hillsborough County charges a discretionary sales tax of 1% on top of Florida's 6%. It is only collected on the first $5000 of any large purchase.

History

Hillsborough County was created on January 25, 1834 . It was named for Wills Hill , Viscount Hillsborough of England .

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 3,279 km² (1,266 mi² ). 2,722 km² (1,051 mi²) of it is land and 558 km² (215 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 17.00% water.

Located midway along the west coast of Florida, Hillsborough County has 1,048 square miles of land and 24 square miles of inland water area for a total of 1,072 square miles. The unincorporated area encompasses 909 square miles, or more than 84 percent of the total county area. Municipalities account for 163 square miles.

Demographics

As of the census 2 of 2000 , there are 998,948 people, 391,357 households, and 255,164 families residing in the county. The population density is 367/km² (951/mi²). There are 425,962 housing units at an average density of 156/km² (405/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 75.17% White , 14.96% Black or African American , 0.39% Native American , 2.20% Asian , 0.07% Pacific Islander , 4.66% from other races , and 2.56% from two or more races. 17.99% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 391,357 households out of which 31.40% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.70% are married couples living together, 13.20% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.80% are non-families. 26.90% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.10% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.51 and the average family size is 3.07.

In the county the population is spread out with 25.30% under the age of 18, 9.30% from 18 to 24, 31.70% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $40,663, and the median income for a family is $48,223. Males have a median income of $34,111 versus $26,962 for females. The per capita income for the county is $21,812. 12.50% of the population and 9.10% of families are below the poverty line . Out of the total population, 17.20% of those under the age of 18 and 10.00% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Government

A Home Rule Charter for Hillsborough County was approved by voters in a county-wide referendum held in September 1983, and the first County Commissioners elected under this new charter took office on May 28, 1985.

The Home Rule Charter divides the power of county government between legislative and executive branches. The Board of County Commissioners, which composes the legislative branch, sets overall policy by means of ordinances, resolutions and motions.

The executive powers of county government are vested in the County Administrator, appointed by County Commissioners and charged by the charter to faithfully implement the powers of the Board. The charter provides for a County Attorney, to be hired by the County Administrator with the advice and consent of the County Commissioners. The charter contains a provision for a Charter Review Board appointed by County Commissioners every five years to conduct a study of county government and propose amendments to the charter. These amendments must be presented to voters for approval.One amendment was approved in November 2002, adding the position of County Internal Performance Auditor to the government structure. This position reports directly to the County Commission.

Presently the County Administrator is Pat Bean.

There are seven members of the Board of County Commissioners for Hillsborough County. Four are elected from single-member districts, and three are elected county wide. The Board approves the County's operating and capital budgets and the County's capital improvement program. It may take action on any programs for the improvement of the county and the welfare of its residents.

Under a Charter Ordinance that went into effect May 1985, County Commissioners are directed to perform legislative functions of government by developing policy for the management of Hillsborough County. The County Administrator, a professional appointed by the Board, and the administrative staff are responsible for the implementation of these policies.

The Board also serves as the Environmental Protection Commission. Individual Board members serve on various other boards, authorities, and commissions such as the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, Tampa Bay Water, Aviation Authority, Expressway Authority, Sports Authority, Port Authority, Arts Council of Hillsborough County, Children's Board, Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Council of Governments.

Municipalities and Unincorporated areas

Incorporated

1. City of Plant City
2. City of Tampa
3. City of Temple Terrace

Unincorporated Census Designated Places

• Apollo Beach
• Bloomingdale
• Boyette
• Brandon
• Cheval
• Citrus Park
• Dover
• East Lake-Orient Park
• Egypt Lake-Leto
• Fish Hawk
• Gibsonton
• Greater Carrollwood
• Greater Northdale
• Greater Sun Center
• Keystone
• Lake Magdalene
• Lutz
• Mango
• Palm River-Clair Mel
• Pebble Creek
• Progress Village
• Riverview
• Ruskin
• Seffner
• Thonotosassa
• Town 'n' Country
• University
• Valrico
• Westchase
• Wimauma

Unincorporated Communities not Census Designated Places

• Balm
• Carrollwood (see also: Greater Carrollwood)
• Del Rio
• East Tampa
• Fort Lonesome
• Gulf City
• Hopewell
• Keysville
• Knights
• Lithia
• Northdale (see also: Greater Northdale)
• Sun City Center (see also: Greater Sun Center)
• Trapnell
• Turkey Creek

Despite belief that many of these are cities, only three are. Tampa , Plant City , and Temple Terrace . The rest of the county is typically referred to as " unincorporated Hillsborough County".

Government

• Hillsborough County Government / Board of County Commissioners
• Hillsborough County Property Appraiser
• Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office
• Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections
• Hillsborough County Tax Collector

Special Districts

• School District of Hillsborough County
• Southwest Florida Water Management District

Judicial branch

• Clerk of the Circuit Court, Hillsborough County
• Public Defender for the 13th Judicial Circuit
• Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
• Circuit and County Court for the 13th Judicial Circuit of Florida

This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License .