Moving to Thonotosassa, FL: Living Guide

Thonotosassa is northeast Hillsborough County’s big-sky corner. It covers more than 26 square miles of land between Interstate 4, Interstate 75 and the Hillsborough River, with Lake Thonotosassa in the middle, a state park with real river rapids on its north side, and miles of county wilderness trails. The name comes from Seminole-Creek words for a place that was a source of valuable flint, and American settlers arrived after the Second Seminole War and the Armed Occupation Act of 1842, along the old Fort King military road between Tampa and Ocala.

Thonotosassa suits people who want room: anglers, cyclists, families who want a bigger lot, and anyone who’d rather be near trails and water than strip malls. It’s only a short drive to I-4, I-75, Temple Terrace and Brandon, so you can live rural and still commute into Tampa. Expect fewer sidewalks, longer drives to the grocery store and a much quieter night.

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

Where Is Thonotosassa?

Thonotosassa is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in northeastern Hillsborough County. Its borders are easy to remember:

South: Interstate 4, with Seffner just across the highway.
West: Interstate 75, with Temple Terrace and Tampa beyond it.
North: The Hillsborough River.
Through the middle: U.S. Route 301 runs through the northern part of the community, past Hillsborough River State Park.

The nearest major airport is Tampa International Airport (TPA), on the far side of Tampa. Local phone numbers use area codes 813 and 656, and 10-digit dialing has been required since the 656 overlay began in February 2022.

Thonotosassa has deep roots as a Tampa suburb. In 1893, the Tampa and Thonotosassa Railroad opened a 13-mile passenger line between the two communities. Today the trip is by interstate, but the rural feel remains: the CDP has 26.48 square miles of land and only about 575 people per square mile, according to the 2020 Census.

Thonotosassa Population & Demographics

Thonotosassa grew from 13,014 residents in 2010 to 15,238 at the 2020 Census. It’s an older, family-heavy community: the median age was 41.8 in 2020, and the average household has 2.92 people. About two-thirds of homes are owner-occupied.

Measure	Thonotosassa CDP	Florida	United States
Population (2020 Census)	15,238	—	—
Population (2010 Census)	13,014	—	—
Median age (2020 Census)	41.8	—	—
Residents 65 and older	17.5%	—	—
Median household income (2020–2024)	$71,272	$74,568	$80,734
Per capita income (2020–2024)	$36,265	—	—
Bachelor’s degree or higher (age 25+)	27.4%	34.1%	35.7%
Owner-occupied housing rate	66.9%	67.6%	—
Households (2020–2024)	5,380	—	—
Persons in poverty	16.7%	12.0%	10.2%
Mean travel time to work	29.8 min	28.0 min	—
Land area (2020)	26.48 sq mi	—	—

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020 Census and 2020–2024 American Community Survey); 2010 count and median age from the Census as reported by Wikipedia. The Census Bureau does not publish annual estimates for CDPs, so 2020 is the most recent official count.

Thonotosassa also has 995 veterans, and 13.7% of residents were born outside the United States. The average commute is 29.8 minutes, a bit longer than the state average, which makes sense for a community this spread out.

Is Thonotosassa Safe?

We didn’t find a recent, reliable Thonotosassa crime data source worth quoting. Because the community is unincorporated, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement and is the best place to ask about a specific area. In a place this large, conditions on a quiet lakeside street can be very different from a busy stretch of U.S. 301, so visit your short list of addresses at different times of day.

Cost of Living in Thonotosassa

Home Prices

By the Census measure, Thonotosassa is one of the more affordable areas in Hillsborough County. The median value of owner-occupied homes was $312,300 for 2020–2024, compared with $359,000 for Florida and $420,400 for the City of Tampa. Owners with a mortgage have a median monthly cost of $1,883.

Recent sales tell a different story, because newer and larger homes on bigger lots make up much of what sells. Redfin’s Greater Thonotosassa data shows a median sale price of $475,985 in August 2026, down 0.84% from a year earlier, with 39 homes sold and a median of 68 days on the market. The median price per square foot was $198, and homes sold for about 4% below list price on average. That’s a slower market than a year earlier, which can give buyers some room to negotiate.

Budget for the extras that come with rural property: well and septic inspections, fencing, longer driveways and, near the lake or river, flood insurance. Hillsborough County also places all manufactured and mobile homes in hurricane evacuation Zone A, which matters for insurance and storm planning.

Rent

Rentals are limited. The Census median gross rent for 2020–2024 was $1,134, well below Florida’s $1,669. Apartments.com’s July 2026 data, which covers a small number of apartment listings, shows average rents of about $1,560 for a one-bedroom, $2,011 for a two-bedroom and $2,515 or more for a three-bedroom, down 3% from a year earlier. If you’re renting, expect to look at single-family homes and mobile homes as much as apartments.

Best Areas in Thonotosassa

Around Lake Thonotosassa

The 839-acre lake sits in the heart of the community, ringed by Taylor Road and Fort King Highway on the west, Thonotosassa Road on the south, McIntosh Road on the east and Knights-Griffin Road on the north. Residential areas have grown up around its shore. It’s the natural pick for people who fish or want water views. Ask about flood zones, dock rules and insurance before you buy anything on the water.

North Along U.S. 301 and the Hillsborough River

The northern part of Thonotosassa follows U.S. 301 toward Hillsborough River State Park and the river that forms the community’s northern boundary. It’s the section to look at if you want the state park and the river trails as close neighbors. Properties vary widely here, so ask each seller whether the home is on well and septic or public utilities, and budget for inspections if it’s the former.

West Toward Morris Bridge Road and I-75

The western side of Thonotosassa near Morris Bridge Road and I-75 is closest to Temple Terrace, USF and New Tampa. It’s also where you’ll find Flatwoods Conservation Park and the Morris Bridge Biking Area, so it’s popular with cyclists and runners. Commuters who work north or west of Tampa often prefer this side for the quicker interstate access.

Weather & Climate in Thonotosassa

Thonotosassa has the same humid subtropical climate as Tampa. Using NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for Tampa International Airport, Current Results reports average January highs around 71°F with lows around 52°F. July and August bring average highs around 91°F and lows around 77°F. Rain averages about 49.5 inches a year over about 108 rainy days, with frequent summer thunderstorms.

Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30. Hillsborough County reworked its evacuation zones for 2026, including a new Zone E, and it always places manufactured and mobile homes in Zone A. Look up any address at HCFL.gov/HEAT.

Best months to move: October through April. Rural driveways and lawns stay firmer in the drier months, which makes truck access easier.

Things to Do in Thonotosassa

Hillsborough River State Park

At 15402 U.S. 301 North, this 3,383-acre park was one of the eight original Florida state parks, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1938. It’s one of the few places in Florida with river rapids, including Class II rapids you can view or paddle. There are about seven miles of nature trails, camping, canoe and kayak rentals and the Fort Foster State Historic Site. Entry is $6 per vehicle. The park reopened in February 2025 after closures, and some amenities, including the cafe, were still closed in 2026, so check the park’s site before you go.

Flatwoods Conservation Park

Flatwoods, at 14302 Morris Bridge Road, is best known for its seven-mile paved loop road, which serves as a multiuse trail. A two-mile paved extension connects to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, and there are off-road bike trails and nature trails too. Entry is $2 per vehicle.

Morris Bridge Biking Area

Just down the road at 12651 Morris Bridge Road, the county’s Morris Bridge Biking Area has about 30 miles of trails, many of which also work for hiking and walking dogs. Entry is $2. There are no restrooms, so plan ahead.

Dead River Conservation Park

This remote county park at 15098 Dead River Road is open to walkers and bicyclists only, and it’s free. A 2.8-mile trail follows the Hillsborough River through shady oak and palm hammocks, and the Old Fort King Trail continues from here into Hillsborough River State Park.

Lake Thonotosassa

The 839-acre lake is owned and maintained by the Tampa Port Authority, and no road crosses it. Instead, four roads ring it (Taylor Road/Fort King Highway, Thonotosassa Road, McIntosh Road and Knights-Griffin Road), which makes for an easy scenic loop on a weekend drive.

Where to Eat Near Thonotosassa

Thonotosassa is mostly residential and rural, and several restaurants listed there online have closed. These established spots are a short drive away.

Kojak’s House of Ribs (Seffner)

Just south of I-4 at 1809 S. Parsons Avenue in Seffner, Kojak’s has been serving barbecue since 1978. It moved from South Tampa to Seffner in 2022 and still draws a crowd for ribs, baked beans and green beans.

Babushka’s (Temple Terrace)

West of I-75 at 12639 N. 56th Street in Temple Terrace, Babushka’s serves homemade Eastern European comfort food like borscht, pierogi and dumplings. It’s closed Mondays.

Parkesdale Farm Market (Plant City)

East in Plant City, Parkesdale has been a family-owned strawberry farm and market since 1968. Its famous strawberry shortcake returns every January 2. The market is open daily December through March and Wednesday through Sunday the rest of the year, with a summer break from July 4 to August 4.

Jobs & Economy

Most Thonotosassa residents commute. With I-4 on the south and I-75 on the west, residents can reach downtown Tampa, the USF area, Brandon and Plant City without much trouble. The University of South Florida, which enrolled about 48,700 students in 2023–24, and Moffitt Cancer Center on the USF campus are among the closest large employers.

Across the region, Tampa General Hospital reports about 15,000 team members and providers systemwide, and about 15,000 people work at MacDill Air Force Base. The Tampa Bay Economic Development Council’s target industries include distribution and logistics, manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, information technology and financial services.

Schools in Thonotosassa

Thonotosassa is served by Hillsborough County Public Schools, which describes itself as the nation’s 7th largest school district. Schools serving the area include Folsom Elementary, Thonotosassa Elementary and Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School. Because the community is so large, different parts of it are zoned to different schools, so confirm the zoned schools for your exact address with the district.

For higher education, the University of South Florida and Florida College, a private Christian college in Temple Terrace, are both just west of I-75.

Thonotosassa Quick Facts

County	Hillsborough County (unincorporated)
Population	15,238 (2020 Census)
Land area	26.48 square miles (2020 Census)
ZIP code	33592
Area codes	813 and 656 (10-digit dialing)
Nearest major airport	Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Main roads	I-4 (south edge), I-75 (west edge), U.S. 301, Morris Bridge Road
Largest lake	Lake Thonotosassa (839 acres)
Law enforcement	Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
Public schools	Hillsborough County Public Schools

Moving to Thonotosassa: Tips From Our Crew

Tell us about the driveway. Long dirt, gravel or grass driveways are common here. After heavy rain, soft ground can keep a full-size truck from reaching the house. Send us a photo or a quick description so we can plan where to park and whether a smaller shuttle load makes sense.
Check for gates, cattle guards and low branches. Rural properties often have gates, narrow bridges or big oak limbs over the drive. Measure the gate width and let us know about any clearance issues before move day.
Plan for barns, sheds and workshops. Outbuildings fill up with tools, feed bins and equipment. Decide early what’s coming with you. Our junk removal service can haul away what isn’t.
Know your mobile home’s zone. Hillsborough County always puts manufactured and mobile homes in evacuation Zone A. If you’re moving into one between June and November, keep a backup date and a storm plan.
Remember it’s the county. Thonotosassa is unincorporated, so trash service and permits run through Hillsborough County. If your new home uses a well or septic system, schedule inspections before closing.
Start early in summer. July and August highs average about 91°F, and afternoon storms roll in often. An early start gets the heavy lifting done before the rain.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Thonotosassa

How much do movers cost in Thonotosassa?

It depends on the size of your home, the distance, access (long driveways, gates, stairs), packing and the date. A rural property with a barn and workshop takes more planning than a standard house. Call 813-544-0048 for a free quote, and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Is Thonotosassa in a hurricane evacuation zone?

It depends on the address and the type of home. Hillsborough County made bigger-than-usual changes to its evacuation zones for 2026, including a new Zone E, and it always places manufactured and mobile homes in Zone A. Enter your address at HCFL.gov/HEAT to see your zone before you move in.

Is Thonotosassa part of Tampa?

No. Thonotosassa is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County. It sits east of I-75, so Temple Terrace and Tampa are just across the interstate, but Hillsborough County provides local services and the Sheriff’s Office handles law enforcement.

What are homes selling for in Thonotosassa?

Redfin’s Greater Thonotosassa data showed a median sale price of $475,985 in August 2026, with homes taking a median of 68 days to sell. The Census median value for all owner-occupied homes, including older and smaller ones, was $312,300 for 2020–2024.

Can you move large or heavy items like gun safes and pianos?

Yes. Our piano and safe moving crew handles heavy items with the right equipment. Let our Thonotosassa movers know the weight, the path through the house and any steps so we can plan it properly.

Move to Thonotosassa With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015. 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 60–90 days. Every crew member is a background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employee, never a subcontractor.

Our Tampa office covers all of Hillsborough County (FL Mover Reg. IM3566), including rural properties off U.S. 301 and homes around the lake. We handle local moves, long-distance moves with a binding estimate and guaranteed delivery date, and storage. Learn more about our Thonotosassa movers, read our reviews, or call 813-544-0048 today.

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Moving to Thonotosassa, FL: Living in Thonotosassa Guide