Poorest Neighborhoods in Hillsborough County

Discover the 5 Poorest Neighborhoods in Hillsborough County, Florida

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Hillsborough County, Florida, is one of the most populous counties in the state and is growing rapidly. It has about 1.5 million people, as of the 2020 census. In 2020, the median household income in the county was $60,566, slightly below the state and national averages. The poverty rate in Hillsborough County was 12.7% in 2021, also slightly lower than both state and national rates.

However, not all parts of Hillsborough County are equally prosperous. Some neighborhoods face challenges like low income, high poverty, unemployment, low education, and limited access to healthcare and social services. In this article, we’ll explore the five poorest neighborhoods in Hillsborough County using data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) from 2017 to 2021. We’ll assess poverty using these indicators:

  1. Median household income: This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in a neighborhood.
  2. Poverty rate: This indicates the percentage of people whose income falls below the poverty threshold for their household size.
  3. Unemployment rate: This shows the percentage of people in the workforce who are currently jobless.
  4. Educational attainment: This measures the percentage of individuals aged 25 or older who have completed at least a high school education.

1. University Square

University Square, found in north-central Hillsborough County near the University of South Florida, is a suburban neighborhood predominantly composed of apartments and condos. Approximately 15,000 people call it home, with a majority being Black or African American. However, this area faces significant economic challenges. According to ACS data, University Square has:

  1. A median household income of $24,750, significantly lower than both the county and national medians (59.1% and 63.3% lower, respectively).
  2. A high poverty rate of 40%, which is more than three times greater than the county and national rates.
  3. An unemployment rate of 14%, over twice as high as both the county and national rates.
  4. An educational attainment rate of 69%, indicating that only about two-thirds of adults have completed high school or higher education.

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2. Orient Park

Orient Park is a neighborhood in east-central Hillsborough County, near Interstate 4 and U.S. Route 301. It’s mostly suburban, with single-family homes and mobile homes. Around 9,000 people live here, mostly Hispanic. Sadly, it’s one of the poorest areas:

  • Median household income: $25,833, 57.4% lower than the county and 61.7% lower than the national average.
  • Poverty rate: 36%, nearly three times higher than the county and national rates.
  • Unemployment rate: 13%, more than twice as high as the county and national rates.
  • Educational attainment: Only 65% of adults completed high school or higher.

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3. Sulphur Springs

Sulphur Springs is a neighborhood in north-central Hillsborough County, near the Hillsborough River. It’s an urban area with a rich history and culture, but it faces significant economic challenges. Here are some key statistics from ACS data:

  1. Median Household Income: The median household income in Sulphur Springs is $26,250, which is much lower than both the county and national averages. It’s 56.7% lower than the county median and 61% lower than the national median.
  2. Poverty Rate: Sulphur Springs has a high poverty rate, with 38% of its residents living in poverty. This rate is more than three times higher than the county average and almost three times higher than the national average.
  3. Unemployment Rate: The neighborhood also struggles with unemployment, with a rate of 15%. This is more than twice as high as the county’s unemployment rate and more than twice as high as the national rate.
  4. Educational Attainment: About 66% of adults in Sulphur Springs have completed high school or higher education. This means that only around two-thirds of the adult population have reached this level of education.

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4. Palm River-Clair Mel

Palm River-Clair Mel is a suburban area in Hillsborough County, situated near U.S. Route 41 and State Road 60. It’s home to around 23,000 people, primarily Hispanic. However, it faces significant socioeconomic challenges. Here are some key statistics:

  1. Median household income: $31,250, much lower than the county and national averages.
  2. Poverty rate: 28%, more than double the county and national rates.
  3. Unemployment rate: 10%, higher than both the county and national rates.
  4. Educational attainment rate: 68%, indicating that only about two-thirds of adults have completed high school or higher education.

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5. Progress Village

Progress Village is a neighborhood in south-central Hillsborough County near Interstate 75 and U.S. Route 301. It’s mainly made up of houses and townhouses, with around 6,000 residents, mostly African American. Sadly, it faces significant economic challenges:

  1. The median household income is $32,500, much lower than the county and national averages.
  2. The poverty rate is high at 26%, more than twice the county and national rates.
  3. Unemployment stands at 9%, exceeding both the county and national figures.
  4. About 77% of adults have completed high school or higher education, leaving a quarter without a high school diploma.

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Conclusion

Hillsborough County, Florida, is a diverse and growing area with a strong economy. However, it also has neighborhoods facing significant issues like low income, poverty, unemployment, and education disparities. Some of the most affected neighborhoods include University Square, Orient Park, Sulphur Springs, Palm River-Clair Mel, and Progress Village.

These areas deal with challenges such as limited income, high poverty rates, unemployment, low education levels, and limited access to healthcare and social services. These issues impact residents’ quality of life and require collaborative efforts from different groups to address them.

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