Moving to FishHawk, FL: Living in FishHawk Guide (2026)

FishHawk is the big master-planned community in southeast Hillsborough County, built around FishHawk Ranch and bordered by the Alafia River to the north. As recently as the 1990s much of this was ranch land. Today it is home to more than 26,000 people, with its own town center at Park Square, neighborhood trails, community pools and a reputation for highly rated public schools.

FishHawk suits families with school-age kids more than almost anywhere else in the Tampa area: six in ten households have children. It also suits people who like the outdoors, since Alafia River State Park, Lithia Springs and the Balm Boyette preserve are all close by. The trade-offs are a longer commute and the HOA and community development district (CDD) fees that come with a planned community.

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

Where Is FishHawk?

FishHawk (the Census Bureau spells it “Fish Hawk”) is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in east-central Hillsborough County, about 20 miles southeast of downtown Tampa. The Alafia River forms its northern edge and separates it from Valrico and Bloomingdale. Boyette Road marks the south side, Riverview lies to the southwest, and the older community of Lithia is in the eastern part of the CDP. Most addresses use a Lithia mailing address and ZIP code 33547.

The name comes from Little Fishhawk Creek, a tributary that joins the Alafia River just west of Lithia Springs. The roads you will use most:

FishHawk Boulevard, the main road through FishHawk Ranch, past Park Square and Newsome High School.
Lithia Pinecrest Road, north across the Alafia toward Valrico, Brandon and State Road 60.
Boyette Road, along the south side, west toward Riverview and I-75.
County Road 39, on the east side, toward Alafia River State Park and Plant City.

There is no interstate in FishHawk, so most trips to Tampa start with a drive to I-75 or the Selmon Expressway through Brandon or Riverview. The nearest major airport is Tampa International Airport (TPA). For nearby options, see our pages for Valrico movers and Riverview.

A little history: FishHawk Trails and FishHawk Ranch were built on former ranch land by two different companies starting in the 1990s. A CSX rail line once ran through the FishHawk Trails area, and the tracks were pulled up in the late 1980s. FishHawk Ranch was the first certified green new-home community in Hillsborough County. Its developer has since announced that FishHawk Ranch is closed out, meaning new-home sales there have ended and most buying now happens on the resale market.

FishHawk Population & Demographics

FishHawk has grown faster than almost anywhere in the county. The 2000 Census counted 1,991 people, the 2010 Census counted 14,087, and the 2020 Census counted 24,625. The newest American Community Survey estimate (2020–2024) is about 26,186.

It is a family community through and through. In the 2020 Census, 60.6% of FishHawk’s 7,431 households had children under 18, 72.8% were married-couple households, and 34.6% of residents were under 18. Incomes and education levels are well above the Florida averages: the median household income is $135,271 and 55% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Measure	Fish Hawk CDP	Florida
Population (2020 Census)	24,625	—
Population (ACS 2020–2024)	26,186	—
Median age (ACS 2020–2024)	36.2	42.6
Median household income	$135,271	$74,568
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	55%	34.2%
Persons below poverty line	7.2%	12.6%
Persons per household	3.3	2.5
Median value of owner-occupied homes	$561,000	$359,000
Mean travel time to work	38.6 minutes	28.1 minutes
Veterans (share of adults)	12.6%	7.4%
Land area	16.2 sq. mi.	—

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census via Wikipedia; Census Reporter, American Community Survey 2024 5-year estimates for Fish Hawk CDP and Florida.

Is FishHawk Safe?

FishHawk is unincorporated, so the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office provides law enforcement. We did not find a FishHawk-specific crime report we could cite, so we won’t put a number on it. The poverty rate here (7.2%) is well below the state rate, but every neighborhood is different.

To look up reported incidents near a specific address, use the Sheriff’s Office Crime Search Map. Your HOA or neighborhood social media group is also a good source for day-to-day news.

Cost of Living in FishHawk

FishHawk costs more than most of eastern Hillsborough County, mainly because of home prices and community fees. Plan your budget around the mortgage, property taxes, HOA dues and the CDD fee on your property’s tax bill.

Home Prices

Redfin reports that the median sale price of a home in Fish Hawk was about $545,000 over the most recent three months, down 6.8% from a year earlier. Homes sold after 39 days on average, and 142 homes sold in August 2026, up from 105 a year before. Across the wider 33547 ZIP code, Redfin’s median was about $559,000 ($558,758) over the three months ending August 2026, down 3.7%.

The Census Bureau’s longer-term median value of owner-occupied homes in Fish Hawk was $561,000 for 2020–2024, compared with $359,000 for Florida. Prices range widely, from townhomes to large two-story houses with pools. With the median down from last year, buyers may find a bit more room to negotiate.

Rent

Zumper’s September 2026 data for Lithia, which includes FishHawk, showed average rents of $2,042 for a two-bedroom, $2,095 for a three-bedroom and $3,000 for a four-bedroom. The number of listings is small, so these figures change quickly. For comparison, RentCafe reported an average apartment rent of $2,031 in the City of Tampa as of August 31, 2026.

About CDD fees: FishHawk Ranch is part of a Community Development District, and residents pay a CDD fee based on their CDD designation or subdivision. Ask for the exact amount, and for the HOA dues, before you make an offer.

Best Neighborhoods in FishHawk

FishHawk is made up of many separate villages and subdivisions. These three areas give a good sense of the choices.

FishHawk Ranch

FishHawk Ranch is the heart of the community, a planned development of several distinct villages over more than 3,000 acres. Residents share Park Square Town Center, the Lake House, the Palmetto Club clubhouse, the Osprey Club, the Aquatic Center, community pools, gyms, tennis courts and a network of biking and walking trails. It suits families who want amenities within walking or biking distance and don’t mind HOA rules. Since new-home sales have ended, you will be buying a resale home.

FishHawk Trails

FishHawk Trails is the other original community here, built in the 1990s by a different company than FishHawk Ranch on land that was once ranch property and woods crossed by a rail line. It suits buyers who prefer an established neighborhood and don’t need the full list of Ranch amenities. Check the HOA rules, deed restrictions and any CDD fees for the specific home you like.

Lithia and the Eastern Edge

The older community of Lithia sits in the eastern part of the CDP, toward County Road 39 and Alafia River State Park. Here you will find some rural properties alongside newer subdivisions. It suits buyers who want a bit more elbow room, horse people and trail riders, and anyone who wants to be minutes from the state park. Some rural homes have long driveways and gates, which matters on moving day.

Weather & Climate in FishHawk

The nearest long-term NOAA station with published normals is Tampa International Airport. Using its 1991–2020 normals, Current Results reports an average annual high of 83°F and an average low of 66°F. Mid-January is the coolest stretch, with highs around 71°F and lows around 52°F, and July and August average highs of 91°F and lows of 77°F. The Tampa station records about 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. FishHawk is inland, so its conditions will not match the airport exactly.

Hurricane season runs June through November. FishHawk is inland, but the Alafia River runs along its northern edge, and Hillsborough County changed its evacuation zones for 2026, adding some areas that were never in a zone before. Look up any address at HCFL.gov/HEAT and ask about flood history on homes near the river or creeks.

Best months to move: October through April for cooler, drier weather. Summer is the busiest moving season for families because of the school calendar, so book early if you need a June or July date, and plan for an early start.

Things to Do in FishHawk

Alafia River State Park

Alafia River State Park, at 14326 S. County Road 39 in Lithia, is a reclaimed phosphate mine with some of the most dramatic elevation changes in Florida. It has about 20 miles of hilly trails for hikers and horseback riders and a well-known network of mountain bike trails, plus canoeing, fishing, camping and picnicking. As of August 5, 2026, the Gravitron, Lost Meadow and Meadows bike trails were closed for repair, with the rest of the park open.

Lithia Springs Conservation Park

This county park at 3932 Lithia Springs Road is built around a natural spring that flows year-round at about 72 degrees into the Alafia River. It is a local favorite for swimming, and the 160-acre park also has wooded trails, a playground, picnic areas and a campground.

Balm Boyette Scrub Nature Preserve

South of FishHawk, this 5,723-acre county preserve is best known for about 25 miles of mountain biking trails in its south section, with routes for beginners through experts. Hikers use the West section at 13998 Balm Boyette Road. The preserve protects more than 800 acres of scrub habitat that is home to Florida scrub-jays and gopher tortoises.

Park Square and the FishHawk Trails

Park Square is FishHawk Ranch’s town center, with shops and restaurants in the middle of the community. From there, FishHawk Ranch’s network of biking and walking trails winds through the neighborhoods, past lakes and ponds.

Where to Eat in FishHawk

Amici’s Pizza & Pasta (Park Square)

Amici’s is inside Park Square at 16132 Churchview Drive. The motto is “It’s not like NY pizza, it is NY pizza,” and the menu covers appetizers, salads, pizza, pasta and entrees. It is an easy first-night dinner when the kitchen is still packed.

Ronnie Ron’s BBQ (Lithia)

Ronnie Ron’s is a roadside barbecue pit serving Lithia, FishHawk and SouthShore, set up out back behind Kenny’s Liquors. Everything is smoked on site, including ribs and chicken, and it opens at noon and stays open until it sells out. You can text ahead.

Rick’s Custom Meats (County Road 39)

Rick’s Custom Meats at 10252 County Road 39 S. in Lithia is a small, family-owned butcher shop, deli and grocer that has served the community for more than 20 years. Stock the new fridge with custom cuts, or grab deli sandwiches for the moving crew.

Jobs & Economy

Most FishHawk residents commute. The mean travel time to work is 38.6 minutes (2020–2024), well above the Florida average of 28.1 minutes, and the main destinations are Brandon, downtown Tampa and the I-75 corridor.

Across the region, 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. Tampa General Hospital, one of the region’s largest employers, has about 15,000 team members and providers. MacDill Air Force Base, home to U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command, is in South Tampa, and FishHawk’s veteran share (12.6%) is well above the state rate.

Schools in FishHawk

The FishHawk area is known for its A-rated schools. Public schools are run by Hillsborough County Public Schools, which describes itself as the nation’s 7th largest school district. To keep up with growth, the district opened several new schools here, including Newsome High School in 2003. Newsome, at 16550 FishHawk Boulevard, offers 20+ Advanced Placement courses, the Cambridge AICE program and programs such as Aerospace Technology, Gaming and Simulation, and Forensic Science. The school reported a 99% graduation rate for the Class of 2025.

Other public schools in the area include Barrington Middle, Randall Middle, Bevis Elementary, FishHawk Creek Elementary, Lithia Springs Elementary, Pinecrest Elementary and Dick Stowers Elementary. There are also charter and private options, including Bell Creek Academy, Valrico Lake Advantage Academy, Foundation Christian Academy and St. Stephen’s Catholic School. Zones change as new schools open, so confirm the zoned school for any address with the district.

For college, Hillsborough College’s Brandon and SouthShore campuses are both within driving distance, and the University of South Florida, founded in 1956, is in north Tampa.

FishHawk Quick Facts

County	Hillsborough County (unincorporated)
Census name	Fish Hawk CDP
Mailing address / ZIP	Lithia, FL 33547
Area codes	813 and 656 (656 overlay added in 2022)
Distance to downtown Tampa	About 20 miles
Nearest major airport	Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Main roads	FishHawk Blvd, Lithia Pinecrest Rd, Boyette Rd, CR 39
Law enforcement	Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Public high school	Newsome High School
Community fees	HOA dues plus Community Development District (CDD) fee

Moving to FishHawk: Tips From Our Crew

Read your HOA’s moving rules. FishHawk’s villages each have their own HOA rules on truck parking, move hours and how long a portable storage container can sit in the driveway. Get them in writing and send them to us before move day.
Set up gate access ahead of time. Some sections are gated. Add our crew to your gate list or give us the code in advance so the truck isn’t stuck at the entrance.
Plan around school traffic. Newsome High and several other schools sit on or near FishHawk Boulevard. Morning drop-off and afternoon pickup slow everything down, so we time arrivals to avoid them.
Keep off the grass and trails. Trails and sidewalks run through the neighborhoods. We park on the street or driveway, use ramps and runners, and keep equipment off common areas.
Big homes need the right crew. Two-story homes with bonus rooms, home gyms, pianos and full three-car garages take time. Tell us about everything, including the garage and the pool furniture, so we send enough people. Our packing service can handle the garage too.
Book summer dates early. Families here like to move between school years, so June and July fill up fast. Call us as soon as you have a closing date.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to FishHawk

How much does it cost to hire movers in FishHawk?

It depends on the size of the home, stairs, packing, heavy items like pianos or gym equipment, and the date. A townhome and a five-bedroom house with a full garage are very different jobs. For a real number, get 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 FishHawk moving crew prices and plans local jobs.

Is FishHawk the same as Lithia?

Mostly. FishHawk is a census-designated place that includes part of the older community of Lithia, and most FishHawk homes use a Lithia mailing address and ZIP code 33547. FishHawk Ranch is the large planned community at its center.

What is a CDD fee?

FishHawk Ranch is part of a Community Development District, which helps pay for the community’s infrastructure and amenities. Residents pay a CDD fee based on their subdivision, usually on the property tax bill. It is separate from HOA dues, so ask for both before you buy.

How long is the commute from FishHawk to Tampa?

The average one-way commute for FishHawk residents is 38.6 minutes, according to Census data for 2020–2024. FishHawk is about 20 miles southeast of downtown Tampa, and there is no interstate inside the community, so timing matters. Leaving before the school rush helps.

Can you store our things between closings?

Yes. It is common here when a sale and a purchase don’t line up. We can pick up, hold your things in storage and deliver them to FishHawk when your new home is ready.

Move to FishHawk With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, and our Tampa office serves 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. Coming from out of state? Our long-distance moves include 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 FishHawk movers work with HOA rules, gates and big two-story homes, or call 813-544-0048. An owner will call you back within 15 minutes.

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