At a glance
| Typical home value | $371,200 (−0.9% in a year, Zillow, Aug 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | North of downtown Tampa between Florida Avenue and I-275, with the Hillsborough River to the west |
| Origins | Platted in 1911 by developer T. Roy Young |
| Home types | Craftsman-style bungalows, renovated older homes and newer infill |
| Historic district | Seminole Heights is a City of Tampa local historic district |
| Sub-areas | Old, South and Southeast Seminole Heights |
| HOA / CDD | No mandatory neighborhood-wide HOA or CDD found; civic associations are voluntary |
What Seminole Heights is known for
Seminole Heights is known for its early 20th-century craftsman bungalows. It was established in 1911, when developer T. Roy Young subdivided 40 acres about three miles north of downtown as one of Tampa's early suburbs, reached by streetcar, and it grew quickly through the land boom of 1919 to 1929. The historic district is bounded by Florida Avenue to the west, Hanna Avenue to the north, I-275 to the east and Osborne Avenue to the south, with the Hillsborough River along the west side of the wider area.
The area splits into Old, South and Southeast Seminole Heights. The City of Tampa describes Old Seminole Heights as tree-shaded, with stately bungalows restored from their origin. In recent decades it has also become known for independent restaurants, brew pubs and shops.
Is Seminole Heights a good area to live?
It suits buyers who want an older bungalow near downtown at prices close to the citywide typical value. Zillow's figures for the three sub-areas ranged from $346,695 to $411,388 in August 2026, against $377,566 for Tampa. The trade-offs are older-home maintenance, historic district review for exterior changes in part of the area, and known flooding on some streets, where the city has large drainage projects. Check each of those for the specific house.
Seminole Heights homes and prices
| Zillow neighborhood | Typical value, Aug 2026 | 1-year change |
|---|---|---|
| South Seminole Heights | $411,388 | +0.3% |
| Old Seminole Heights | $371,250 | -0.9% |
| Southeast Seminole Heights | $346,695 | +0.6% |
Tampa's citywide typical value was $377,566, down 0.3%, so Seminole Heights sits close to the city as a whole. Within each area, a fully renovated bungalow and an original one can differ a lot in price. Ask how much of the price reflects recent work and whether it was permitted. See the Tampa housing market page for the wider trend.
Craftsman bungalows
Original bungalows are the core of the housing stock. Ask for the age of the roof, wiring, plumbing and sewer line, with permits. Use the Florida home inspection checklist.
Renovated homes and new infill
Renovated homes and newer infill houses sell at a premium. Inside the historic district, ask for the city approvals behind any exterior work or new construction.
How the historic district affects your plans
Seminole Heights is one of Tampa's four local historic districts, with Hyde Park, Tampa Heights and Ybor City. Inside a local district, new construction, additions and exterior changes are reviewed by the city before permits are issued. Check the city's historic district maps to see whether a house is inside the boundary and whether it is contributing.
The wider area also contains Hampton Terrace, a separate National Register historic district.
Living in Seminole Heights
Shops and dining
Independent restaurants, brew pubs and shops are spread along the main streets, with some businesses open for more than 50 years.
Parks and the river
Seminole Heights has the longest stretch of riverfront parkland in the city. Rivercrest, Epps and several pocket parks give access to the Hillsborough River, and the Seminole Heights Garden Center hosts community events.
Schools
Hillsborough County Public Schools assigns schools by address, and boundaries can change. Check the exact address in the district's school zone locator rather than relying on a listing, and read the Tampa schools guide for how to compare state grades.
Getting around
Florida Avenue and I-275 run along the district's edges toward downtown. HART runs the area's buses, at $2.00 a trip with a $4.00 daily cap.
Flooding, projects and costs
Flooding and city projects
The city's Old Seminole Heights page has listed a Southeast Seminole Heights flooding relief project estimated at $33,535,000, and it lists a Southeast Seminole Heights water main replacement estimated at $8,688,167. Large drainage projects show where flooding has been a known problem. Ask the seller about past water entry on the specific street.
Flood insurance
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. Get a quote before your inspection period ends. The Tampa flood zone guide explains the maps.
Property tax
City of Tampa parcels paid a total of 19.8428 mills for 2025, according to the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser, or about $1,984 a year for every $100,000 of taxable value before exemptions. The assessed value resets after a sale, so estimate taxes from your purchase price rather than the seller's bill, and file for homestead by March 1 if the home will be your permanent residence. See Hillsborough County property tax.
- 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.
Pros and cons of Seminole Heights
Pros
- Historic bungalows close to downtown.
- Typical values near the citywide figure.
- Riverfront parks and independent restaurants.
Cons
- Older homes that may need system updates.
- Historic district review for exterior changes in part of the area.
- Known flooding on some streets.
Nearby, compare Tampa Heights to the south or browse the Tampa neighborhoods guide.
Common questions
How much are homes in Seminole Heights?+
Zillow's typical home value in August 2026 was $371,250 for Old Seminole Heights, $411,388 for South Seminole Heights and $346,695 for Southeast Seminole Heights. Tampa's citywide figure was $377,566. Renovation quality moves prices a lot within each area, so compare sales of homes in similar condition.
Is Seminole Heights a historic district?+
Yes. Seminole Heights is one of the City of Tampa's four local historic districts, alongside Hyde Park, Tampa Heights and Ybor City. Inside the district, exterior changes, additions and new construction are reviewed by the city. Check the district map to see whether a specific house is inside the boundary.
When was Seminole Heights built?+
Seminole Heights was established in 1911, when developer T. Roy Young subdivided 40 acres north of downtown Tampa. Much of the neighborhood was built during the Florida land boom of 1919 to 1929, which is why craftsman-style bungalows from that period are so common today.
Is Seminole Heights a good area to live?+
It suits buyers who want a historic bungalow near downtown at prices close to Tampa's citywide figure: Zillow's typical values for its three sub-areas ran from $346,695 to $411,388 in August 2026. Check the home's age and systems, whether it is in the historic district, and the street's flood history before deciding.
What is Seminole Heights known for?+
Seminole Heights is known for its early 20th-century craftsman bungalows, its start as one of Tampa's early streetcar suburbs in 1911, and more recently for independent restaurants, brew pubs and shops. It also has the longest stretch of riverfront parkland in the city along the Hillsborough River.
Sources
- City of Tampa: Old Seminole Heights
- Wikipedia: Seminole Heights
- City of Tampa: Historic district maps
- 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)
- Hillsborough County Property Appraiser: 2025 final millage rates
- Hillsborough County Public Schools: School zone locator
- HART: Fares
Florida home prices, once a month.
What changed in Florida home values and mortgage rates, from our housing tracker, plus new guides. Free, one email a month, unsubscribe any time.