At a glance
| Typical home value | $1,445,200 (−3.9% in a year, Zillow, Aug 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | Islands at the mouth of the Hillsborough River in South Tampa, next to downtown |
| Origins | Developed in the 1920s by D.P. Davis on dredged fill around Little and Big Grassy Key |
| On the islands | Tampa General Hospital, Peter O. Knight Airport, Davis Islands Yacht Club, Marjorie Park Yacht Basin |
| Recreation | Sandra Freedman Tennis Complex, Roy Jenkins pool, parks and waterfront |
| Civic group | Davis Islands Civic Association (voluntary, not an HOA) |
| HOA / CDD | No island-wide HOA or CDD found; condo buildings have their own associations |
What Davis Islands is and how it was built
The City of Tampa says Davis Islands was created in the 1920s by Tampa-born developer D.P. Davis from two small natural islands, Little Grassy Key and Big Grassy Key, using mud dredged from the bottom of Tampa Bay. The islands originally numbered three. When the airport was built, a canal was filled in to make room for the runway.
Several 1920s buildings still stand. The Davis Islands Civic Association notes that the Bay Isle Building on East Davis Boulevard was completed in 1925, while the original golf course and the Davis Islands Coliseum are gone. Expect a mix of restored Mediterranean-style homes, newer rebuilt houses and condo buildings.
What is on the islands
Davis Islands holds several regional facilities: Tampa General Hospital, Peter O. Knight Airport (a general aviation airport), the Davis Islands Yacht Club and Marjorie Park with its municipal yacht basin. The Sandra Freedman Tennis Complex and the Roy Jenkins aquatic center are city recreation sites.
Hospital traffic, air traffic and events can all affect particular streets, so visit at different times of day before you commit to an address.
Davis Islands prices compared with Tampa
Zillow's typical home value for Davis Island was $1,445,180 in August 2026, down 3.9% over the year. The citywide typical value was $377,566, down 0.3%. Waterfront lots, lot size and whether a home has been raised or rebuilt drive large differences within the islands, so compare sales of the same type (waterfront house, interior house or condo).
The Tampa housing market page shows the citywide trend, and the Tampa waterfront homes guide covers seawalls, docks and insurance.
What to check before buying on Davis Islands
- Flood zone and elevation: look up the address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and ask for an elevation certificate if the seller has one. Tampa is a Class 5 community in FEMA's Community Rating System, which gives a 25% discount on flood insurance in flood zones and 10% outside them. The Tampa flood zone guide explains the maps.
- Evacuation zone: Hillsborough County revised its evacuation zones for 2026, expanding Zone A farther inland along the coast. Check the current zone for the address.
- Seawall and dock: for waterfront homes, ask for the seawall's age, condition and any repair permits, and have it inspected separately.
- Storm history: ask whether the home took water in past storms and what was repaired, with permits and insurance claims.
- Condo documents: for condos, ask for the budget, reserves and any milestone inspection. See the Tampa condo guide.
- Property tax: the assessed value resets after a sale, so estimate taxes from your purchase price rather than the seller's bill. See Hillsborough County property tax.
Nearby areas to compare
Across the channel, Hyde Park and the Bayshore corridor offer historic homes on the mainland, and Harbour Island is another island neighborhood next to downtown.
Common questions
How much do homes on Davis Islands cost?+
Zillow's typical home value for Davis Island was $1,445,180 in August 2026, down 3.9% over the year. That compares with $377,566 for Tampa as a whole. Waterfront homes, raised or rebuilt homes and condos price very differently, so compare recent sales of the same property type before judging an asking price.
Who built Davis Islands?+
Davis Islands was developed in the 1920s by Tampa-born developer D.P. Davis. According to the City of Tampa, he built it from two small natural islands at the mouth of the Hillsborough River, Little Grassy Key and Big Grassy Key, expanding them with mud dredged from Tampa Bay.
Is there an airport on Davis Islands?+
Yes. Peter O. Knight Airport, a general aviation airport, is on Davis Islands, along with Tampa General Hospital, the Davis Islands Yacht Club and Marjorie Park Yacht Basin. If you are comparing homes near the airport or hospital, visit at several times of day to judge noise and traffic on that street.
Is Davis Islands in a flood zone?+
Flood zones vary by parcel, so check each address on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center rather than assuming. Also check the Hillsborough County evacuation zone, which was revised for 2026. Ask for any elevation certificate and the current flood insurance quote before you commit, since both affect the monthly cost of owning.
Sources
- City of Tampa: Davis Islands
- Davis Islands Civic Association: Davis Islands in the 1920s
- Davis Islands Civic Association
- City of Tampa: Flooding
- FEMA: Flood Map Service Center
- FOX 13 Tampa Bay: Hillsborough County adjusts hurricane evacuation zones (April 2026)
- Zillow Research: Zillow Home Value Index (August 2026 data)