Moving to Davis Islands, Tampa FL: 2026 Neighborhood Guide

Davis Islands is the small island neighborhood you see from Bayshore Boulevard and downtown Tampa, sitting where the Hillsborough River meets Hillsborough Bay. It was built in the 1920s on land dredged from the bay, and it still has the Mediterranean Revival buildings, palm-lined streets and seawalls from that era. Tampa General Hospital anchors the north tip, a small general aviation airport sits at the south end, and East Davis Boulevard runs through the middle with cafes, restaurants and shops.

People move here to be close to downtown without living in a high-rise. It suits hospital staff who want a short commute, boaters, dog owners who like having a beach a few blocks away, and families who want a walkable neighborhood inside the City of Tampa. It is also one of the most expensive places to buy a home in the Tampa area, so it pays to plan carefully.

Planning a move to Davis Islands? Call our Tampa team at 813-544-0048 or get your price online.

Where Is Davis Islands?

Davis Islands is a neighborhood inside the City of Tampa, in Hillsborough County. It sits at the mouth of the Hillsborough River, just south of downtown Tampa, between Harbour Island and Hyde Park. Technically it is an archipelago: it was built as three islands, and when the airport runway was added, one canal was filled in, leaving two islands today.

Peter O. Knight Airport, at the south end of the island, is about 3.5 miles from downtown Tampa. That short distance is the whole appeal. From the island you are a quick drive or bike ride from:

Downtown Tampa and the Riverwalk, just across the water to the north.
Bayshore Boulevard and Hyde Park, a short hop to the west.
The Lee Roy Selmon Expressway (toll) and I-275, the main routes east toward Brandon and north toward New Tampa and St. Petersburg.
Tampa International Airport (TPA), on the city’s west side near Westshore, for commercial flights.

One thing every new resident learns fast: road traffic comes and goes at the north end of the island by Tampa General Hospital. Plan around hospital shift changes and rush hour, especially on moving day. If you are comparing nearby areas, see our Hyde Park movers page and our main Tampa movers page too.

A little history: Developer D. P. Davis, a Tampa native, dredged the islands out of Tampa Bay in the 1920s on top of two small natural islands once called Little Grassy Key and Big Grassy Key. He planned a resort community with hotels, a golf course and an airport. The Florida land boom cooled, Davis was lost at sea in 1926, and building slowed in the 1930s. That is why the island today mixes 1920s Mediterranean Revival landmarks such as the Palace of Florence apartments with homes from almost every decade since.

Davis Islands Population & Demographics

The Census Bureau does not publish current figures for Davis Islands on its own. Wikipedia’s summary of the 2010 Census puts the neighborhood at 5,474 residents. For newer numbers, the closest geography is ZIP code 33606, which Davis Islands shares with Hyde Park and other nearby South Tampa streets. The table below compares that ZIP code with the City of Tampa and Florida. Keep in mind the ZIP numbers describe a larger area than the island itself.

A few things stand out. ZIP 33606 is young, with a median age of 28.1, and highly educated, with 77.8% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. Households are small, at 1.9 people on average, and 37% of residents had moved in the past year. That tells you there are a lot of renters, young professionals and medical workers in the mix.

Measure	ZIP 33606 (incl. Davis Islands)	City of Tampa	Florida
Population	24,570	414,575	—
Median age	28.1	35.8	42.6
Median household income	$120,729	$84,114	$74,568
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	77.8%	48.4%	34.2%
Persons below poverty line	7.2%	14.7%	12.6%
Persons per household	1.9	2.2	2.5
Median value of owner-occupied homes	$845,600	$494,400	$359,000
Mean travel time to work	20.4 minutes	26.1 minutes	28.1 minutes

Sources: Census Reporter, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates for ZIP 33606 and Florida; ACS 2024 1-year estimates for the City of Tampa. Davis Islands 2010 population from Wikipedia.

Is Davis Islands Safe?

Davis Islands is policed by the Tampa Police Department. We did not find crime statistics published for the island by itself, so we won’t put a number on it. Citywide, the trend is good: the Tampa Police Department’s 2025 annual report showed a 21.3% overall drop in crime and a 16.6% drop in violent crime compared with the year before, according to FOX 13’s coverage of the report.

To look at a specific street, use the Tampa Police Department’s crime data page, which links to its maps and reports. Walking the neighborhood in the evening and talking to a neighbor or two is still the best research there is.

Cost of Living in Davis Islands

Housing is the big number on Davis Islands. Everything else, from groceries to gas, tracks the rest of Tampa, but homes here sell for roughly three times the citywide median.

Home Prices

According to Redfin, the median sale price of a home on Davis Islands was about $1.5 million ($1,479,286) over the three months ending August 2026, up 29.2% from the same period a year earlier. Homes sold in a median of 51 days, and 29 homes sold in August 2026. For comparison, Redfin’s median for the City of Tampa over the same period was $479,000.

Because only a few dozen homes sell each month, the median can swing a lot depending on which homes happened to close. Ask your agent to pull condo and single-family sales separately, since the overall median mixes both. The Census Bureau’s longer-term measure for ZIP 33606, the median value of owner-occupied homes, was $845,600 for 2020–2024.

Rent

Zumper’s September 2026 data put the average rent on Davis Islands at $2,280 a month. By size, Zumper listed averages of $1,399 for a studio, $1,950 for a one-bedroom, $3,032 for a two-bedroom and $5,500 for a three-bedroom. For the whole City of Tampa, RentCafe reported an average apartment rent of $2,031 as of August 31, 2026. Rental listings on the island are limited, so these averages move quickly from month to month.

Best Neighborhoods in Davis Islands

Davis Islands is small enough to walk end to end, but different parts of the island feel different. Here is how we would break it down for someone shopping for a home or apartment.

The Village on East Davis Boulevard

East Davis Boulevard is the island’s commercial strip, with several blocks of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops along a sidewalk setting. The streets around it have a mix of older homes, small apartment buildings and condos. This part of the island suits people who want to walk to coffee and dinner, and it is close to Tampa General for anyone working hospital shifts. Marjorie Park Yacht Basin is about a block away. Parking is tight, so ask your landlord or HOA where guests and moving trucks can stop.

Historic Mediterranean Revival Streets

Many of the original 1920s Mediterranean-style buildings are still standing, and several have national historic designation and local protections. Landmarks such as the Palace of Florence and Mirasol give these blocks their look. Buyers here should expect older construction, plaster walls and smaller closets alongside a lot of charm. It suits people who care about architecture and don’t mind the upkeep. If you are renovating, check the city’s historic rules before you plan any exterior changes.

The South End: Seaplane Basin and Airport

The south end of the island is mostly residential, with easy access to the Davis Islands beach at the Seaplane Basin and the dog beach. Peter O. Knight Airport is here too, and small planes are part of daily life. That suits pilots and people who like watching boats and planes come and go. If aircraft noise would bother you, visit at different times of day before you sign anything.

Weather & Climate in Davis Islands

Davis Islands shares Tampa’s climate. Using NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Tampa International Airport, Current Results reports an average annual high of 83°F and an average low of 66°F. The coldest stretch is mid-January, with highs around 71°F and lows around 52°F. July and August are the hottest months, averaging highs of 91°F and lows of 77°F. Tampa averages 94 days a year in the 90s, 49.5 inches of rain, and about 83 days with thunderstorms. August is usually the wettest month and November the driest.

Hurricanes are the bigger planning issue on an island. Davis Islands is low-lying, and Wikipedia notes that Tampa General Hospital sits in an area designated an “A” flood zone. Hillsborough County changed its evacuation zones for the 2026 hurricane season, and more properties are now in a zone. Look up your new address at HCFL.gov/HEAT before you buy or sign a lease, and get flood insurance quotes early.

Best months to move: November through April. The weather is drier and cooler, and you are outside the peak of hurricane season. If you must move in summer, book the earliest start time available.

Things to Do in Davis Islands

Davis Islands Dog Park & Dog Beach

The City of Tampa runs a dog park and dog beach at 1002 Severn Street on the south end of the island. If you have a dog, it is one more reason to pick an address on the south end.

Davis Islands Beach at the Seaplane Basin

The city lists the Davis Islands Seaplane Basin at 864 Severn Avenue as one of its four public beaches along Tampa Bay, open sunrise to sunset. The city recommends checking the Florida Healthy Beaches website for the latest water quality results before you swim.

Marjorie Park Yacht Basin

The city’s marina sits at the mouth of the Hillsborough River, about a block from the Davis Islands business district. D. P. Davis named Marjorie Park after his wife and donated it to the city. Transient slips are available by the hour, day or week, which is handy while you look for a permanent spot for your boat.

Roy Jenkins Pool

This historic city pool at 154 Columbia Drive is open year round. It reopened in 2014 after a $2.5 million renovation. The building has two pools, a five-lane, 75-foot lap pool and a kiddie pool, so it works for lap swimmers and little kids alike.

Sandra W. Freedman Tennis Complex

The city’s tennis center at 59 Columbia Drive has 8 clay courts and a practice wall, with leagues and hourly court rentals. It is staffed seven days a week.

Davis Islands Trail

The Davis Islands Trail is a 10-foot-wide paved path about 1.3 miles long, running from Channel Drive and Davis Boulevard to the parking lot at Peter O. Knight Airport. Each January, the Gasparilla pirate flotilla sails up the channel right past the airport, which makes the south end an ideal spot to watch it.

Where to Eat in Davis Islands

220 East (East Davis Boulevard)

220 East at 220 E. Davis Boulevard calls itself a locally owned American kitchen that has been on the island for 24 years. The menu runs from salads and mussels to pizza, sandwiches and weekend brunch, so it works for a quiet dinner or a family meal after a game.

Oggi Italian (East Davis Boulevard)

Oggi Italian at 236 E. Davis Boulevard serves classic pasta, seafood and Italian comfort food in a polished but relaxed dining room. “Oggi” means “today” in Italian, and the restaurant says it cooks with what is best that day.

Spartaco’s Kitchen (East Davis Boulevard)

Spartaco’s Kitchen at 241 E. Davis Boulevard is a small, family-run restaurant with food from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, where the family is from. Expect homemade pasta and sauces and seafood dishes you won’t find on most Italian menus in town.

Jobs & Economy

The biggest employer on the island is right at the north tip. Tampa General Hospital is licensed for 982 beds and has about 15,000 team members and providers, which makes it one of the region’s largest employers. It is also the region’s only Level I Trauma Center and its largest teaching hospital. Many Davis Islands residents walk or bike to work there.

Beyond the hospital, the island’s location puts you close to most of Tampa’s job centers. Downtown’s offices are minutes away, and the Tampa Bay Economic Development Council focuses on information technology, defense and security, corporate headquarters, distribution and logistics, financial and professional services, life sciences and healthcare, and manufacturing. MacDill Air Force Base, about 4 miles south-southwest of downtown, is home to U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command. The mean commute in ZIP 33606 is 20.4 minutes, shorter than the city and state averages.

Schools in Davis Islands

Public schools are run by Hillsborough County Public Schools, which describes itself as the nation’s 7th largest school district. Nearby schools include Gorrie Elementary at 705 W. De Leon Street and H.B. Plant High School at 2415 S. Himes Avenue. Plant opened in 1927 and has more than 2,500 students. School boundaries and choice programs change, so always confirm the zoned school for a specific address with the district before you buy or sign a lease.

For college, the University of Tampa is next to downtown, a short trip across the river. The University of South Florida, founded in 1956, is in north Tampa, and Hillsborough College has several campuses around the county, including its Dale Mabry campus.

Davis Islands Quick Facts

City / County	City of Tampa, Hillsborough County
ZIP code	33606 (shared with Hyde Park and nearby streets)
Area codes	813 and 656 (656 overlay added in 2022)
Developed	1920s, by D. P. Davis
Nearest major airport	Tampa International Airport (TPA)
On-island airport	Peter O. Knight Airport (general aviation)
Main road on/off the island	Davis Boulevard, via the north end by Tampa General Hospital
Public schools	Hillsborough County Public Schools
Police	Tampa Police Department
Median home sale price	About $1.5 million (Redfin, 3 months ending Aug. 2026)

Moving to Davis Islands: Tips From Our Crew

Time the bridge. All moving traffic comes and goes at the north end of the island, next to Tampa General. Hospital shift changes and weekday rush hour can back it up. We like to arrive early in the morning and avoid the late-afternoon crush.
Scout parking before move day. Many island streets are narrow and lined with parked cars, and some older homes have short driveways. Tell us about your street when you call. If a full-size truck won’t fit, we can plan a smaller shuttle truck.
Get condo paperwork in early. Condo and apartment buildings usually want an elevator reservation, a move window and a certificate of insurance. We provide the COI free. Send us your building’s rules at least a week ahead.
Plan for raised homes. Many newer and rebuilt homes sit high off the ground for flood protection, which means tall front stairs. That affects crew size and how long heavy items take, so mention it when you get your quote.
Know your evacuation zone. Hillsborough County changed its zones for 2026. If you are moving between June and November, keep important papers, medications and valuables with you, not on the truck, and have a backup date in mind.
Protect the old stuff. 1920s homes mean plaster walls, narrow stairways and heirloom furniture. Our packing and unpacking crew pads rails and door frames and wraps artwork and mirrors properly.
Watch the Gasparilla calendar. The flotilla and parade weekends in January bring crowds and road closures around the channel and Bayshore. Pick a different weekend if you can.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Davis Islands

How much does it cost to hire movers on Davis Islands?

It depends on the size of your home, stairs or elevators, packing, parking and the date. A studio in a condo building and a four-bedroom raised home on the water are very different jobs. The quickest way to a real number is a free quote. Call 813-544-0048 and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. You can also see how our Davis Islands moving crew prices and plans local jobs.

Is Davis Islands part of the City of Tampa?

Yes. Davis Islands is a neighborhood inside the City of Tampa, in Hillsborough County. City services, the Tampa Police Department and city parks such as Roy Jenkins Pool and the dog beach all serve the island. The ZIP code is 33606.

Is Davis Islands expensive?

Yes, for housing. Redfin’s median sale price was about $1.5 million over the three months ending August 2026, compared with $479,000 for Tampa as a whole. Rents are more manageable: Zumper put the average at $2,280 a month in September 2026. Condos and older apartments are the most affordable way onto the island.

Does Davis Islands flood?

The island is low-lying and close to sea level, and parts of it are in high-risk flood areas. Check the county’s evacuation zone map at HCFL.gov/HEAT, ask for the home’s elevation certificate and flood history, and get flood insurance quotes before you commit to a purchase.

Can you help if we are moving out for a rebuild or storm repairs?

Yes. We can pack what you need, move it to your temporary home and put the rest in storage until the work is done. We can also haul away damaged or unwanted items with our junk removal service.

Move to Davis Islands With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and our Tampa office covers all of Hillsborough County. Our crews are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days. Moving out of state? Our long-distance moves come with a binding estimate, your own dedicated truck, the same crew door to door and a guaranteed delivery date. Military families get 5% off.

See how our Davis Islands movers handle the bridge, the parking and the paperwork, or call 813-544-0048. An owner will call you back within 15 minutes.

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Moving to Davis Islands, FL: Living in Davis Islands Guide