At a glance
| Location | Unincorporated Hillsborough County, north of Tampa |
|---|---|
| Population | 34,352 (2020 census) |
| Origins | Planned by Matt Jetton and built by Sun State Homes from 1959 |
| ZIP codes | 33618 and 33624 |
| Main roads | Dale Mabry Highway, Busch Boulevard, Bearss Avenue, Fletcher Avenue |
| Golf | Carrollwood Country Club, built in 1972 |
What Carrollwood is known for
Carrollwood is known for Lake Carroll and the 1960s homes built around it. It was established in 1959 and developed mainly in the 1960s. Matt Jetton planned it, and his company Sun State Homes built more than 900 homes around Lake Carroll between 1959 and 1970. The community spread westward in the 1970s and 1980s, and Carrollwood Country Club followed in 1972. The 2020 census counted 34,352 residents.
It borders Lake Magdalene to the north, Tampa to the east and Egypt Lake to the south, with Carrollwood Village to the west. The community sits about 39 feet above sea level.
Is Carrollwood a good area to live?
It suits buyers who want an established suburb close to Tampa, with typical values in its two ZIPs of $410,228 to $470,846, a little above the citywide $377,566. The trade-offs are home age and jurisdiction: many houses are more than 50 years old, so inspections and updates matter, and because Carrollwood is outside Tampa city limits, Hillsborough County handles zoning, permits and most services. Use the checks below to judge a specific home rather than the name.
Carrollwood homes and prices
| ZIP | Typical value, Aug 2026 | 1-year change |
|---|---|---|
| 33618 | $470,846 | +0.5% |
| 33624 | $410,228 | 0.0% |
Both ZIPs held steady while Tampa's citywide figure dipped 0.3%. The ZIPs also include areas outside Carrollwood, so use sales from the same subdivision to price a specific home. The Tampa ZIP code guide and Tampa housing market page have more.
1960s single-family homes
The original Sun State Homes houses around Lake Carroll make up much of the stock. Ask for the age of the roof, wiring, plumbing and sewer line, with permits. Use the Florida home inspection checklist.
Lakefront homes
Homes on Lake Carroll trade differently from interior streets. Ask about lake access rules, seawalls or shoreline permits, and flood history, and ask how lake access works for non-lakefront lots before assuming it is included.
Homes near the country club
Golf-course homes also price differently. Club membership is a separate question from buying the home, so ask the club directly about membership and costs.
Carrollwood, Carrollwood Village and Greater Carrollwood
Listings use several related names. Carrollwood is the 1959 community around Lake Carroll. Carrollwood Village is a separate neighborhood to the west, and the census-designated place called Carrollwood includes both. Some subdivisions have voluntary civic associations and others have mandatory HOAs, so check which applies before you assume there are no fees.
Living in Carrollwood
Lake Carroll and recreation
Lake Carroll is the community's centerpiece, and Carrollwood Country Club, built in 1972, is its best-known landmark. Access to both depends on the property and on membership, so confirm it before you buy.
Schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools assigns schools by address, and boundaries can change. Check the exact address in the district's school zone locator, and read the Tampa schools guide for how to compare state grades.
Getting around
Main roads include Dale Mabry Highway, Busch Boulevard, Bearss Avenue and Fletcher Avenue. HART runs buses across Hillsborough County at $2.00 a trip with a $4.00 daily cap. Test your commute at the times you would actually drive.
Costs and what to check in Carrollwood
Property tax
Unincorporated Hillsborough parcels in the base county district paid a total of 18.2515 mills for 2025, according to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, or about $1,825 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value before exemptions. The assessed value resets after a sale. See Hillsborough County property tax.
HOA fees
Some subdivisions have mandatory HOAs and others only voluntary civic associations. Check the title commitment and ask the seller for any fee, budget and rules.
Flood and evacuation zones
Look up the address with Hillsborough County's Find My FEMA Flood Zone tool or the FEMA Flood Map Service Center, and ask for an elevation certificate if the seller has one. Hillsborough County revised its evacuation zones for 2026, so check the current zone too. The Tampa flood zone guide explains the maps.
- Unincorporated status: confirm the jurisdiction and taxing district on the property appraiser record.
- Permits: check county permit history for additions, roofs and pools.
Pros and cons of Carrollwood
Pros
- An established community around Lake Carroll, with a country club.
- Typical values close to the citywide figure.
- Several main roads, including Dale Mabry Highway, lead toward Tampa.
Cons
- Many homes are more than 50 years old and may need system updates.
- County, not city, rules and services apply.
- HOA rules vary by subdivision, so costs are not uniform.
Compare Citrus Park to the west and Lutz to the north.
Common questions
How much are homes in Carrollwood, FL?+
Zillow's typical home value in August 2026 was $470,846 in ZIP 33618 (up 0.5% over the year) and $410,228 in ZIP 33624 (flat). Both ZIPs cover Carrollwood and some neighboring areas, so compare recent sales in the same subdivision, and separate lakefront or golf-course homes from interior streets.
Is Carrollwood in the City of Tampa?+
No. Carrollwood is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County, bordering Tampa to the east. Hillsborough County, not the City of Tampa, handles zoning, permits and most local services. Confirm the jurisdiction and taxing district on the property appraiser record for the specific home before estimating taxes or planning work.
When was Carrollwood built?+
Carrollwood was established in 1959. It was planned by Matt Jetton and built by his company, Sun State Homes, which completed more than 900 homes around Lake Carroll between 1959 and 1970. Carrollwood Country Club opened in 1972. Many homes are therefore more than 50 years old, so inspections matter.
Is Carrollwood a good area to live?+
It depends on what you need. Carrollwood offers an established lake community next to Tampa, with typical values of $410,228 to $470,846 in its ZIPs in August 2026. The trade-offs are older homes and county rather than city rules. Inspect the home carefully and check flood zone, HOA and taxes for the exact address.
What is Carrollwood known for?+
Carrollwood is known for Lake Carroll, the 1960s homes that Sun State Homes built around it from 1959, and Carrollwood Country Club, which opened in 1972. It is one of the older planned suburbs north of Tampa, with main routes along Dale Mabry Highway, Busch Boulevard, Bearss Avenue and Fletcher Avenue.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Carrollwood, Florida
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser: 2025 final millage rates
- Hillsborough County Public Schools: School zone locator
- HART: Fares
- Hillsborough County: Flood maps
- Hillsborough County: Find my evacuation zone
- FOX 13 Tampa Bay: Hillsborough County adjusts hurricane evacuation zones (April 2026)
- Zillow Research: Zillow Home Value Index (August 2026 data)
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Antonio Roberts
Antonio Roberts has spent five years helping more than 500 Florida buyers and sellers choose the right real estate agent. He is not a real estate agent himself: he researches what matters in a Florida move and connects people with licensed local agents, free of charge.
Reviewed by a licensed Florida real estate agent. Before publication, this guide was checked for accuracy by a licensed Florida real estate agent on our team. It is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
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