Forest Hills, Tampa
Updated June 22, 2026 · 9,401 residents
Forest Hills is a quiet, suburban neighborhood defined by its mature oak trees, ranch-style homes, and the historic Babe Zaharias Golf Course. Residents enjoy a tranquil, multigenerational atmosphere with ample greenery, while benefiting from a location that remains largely removed from heavy industrial activity.
Key Highlights
About Forest Hills
Forest Hills was envisioned in 1926 by developer Burks L. Hamner as a residential community centered on a golf course. To generate interest during the 1920s land boom, developers famously hosted a free boxing match featuring Jack Dempsey, attracting thousands of potential buyers. While originally designed in the 1920s, the area remained largely citrus groves until the 1950s and 1960s, when it saw significant residential development of ranch-style homes. The neighborhood is anchored by the Babe Zaharias Golf Course, named for the legendary athlete who purchased the facility in 1949. Characterized by its golf-themed street names—such as Fairway, Divot, and Bogie—and mature oak trees, the community has a long history of active civic advocacy, notably through the Forest Hills Neighborhood Association, which has worked for decades to preserve the area's suburban character.
The area maintains a distinct suburban character, characterized by a mix of spacious residential lots, private swimming pools, and established tree canopies. It offers a peaceful environment for a diverse population ranging from young families to retirees, fostering a balanced community feel. The landscape is predominantly residential, providing a respite from the denser urban environments found elsewhere in Tampa, while keeping commercial activity minimal to preserve its calm, low-key atmosphere.
Prospective residents should consider that while the neighborhood offers pleasant, low-traffic streets suitable for walking, access to major amenities often requires navigating busier arterial roads. The area experiences moderate traffic noise and some residual flood risk, which are important factors for long-term planning. Families are served by the Hillsborough County School District, which provides a range of educational options, though the quality of individual campuses can vary significantly across the county.
Neighborhood Scores Across 15 Qualities
Residential spacing varies between dense clusters of mobile homes and more spacious waterfront estates. According to iHuus data, this level of privacy is slightly higher than the Tampa average due to the presence of larger buffered lots alongside closely packed housing.
Low-traffic residential streets and a established street grid allow for safe walking, though major arterial roads and fragmented sidewalks can create barriers. This level of pedestrian accessibility is on par with the Tampa average.
Varied residential landscapes featuring many large homes and private pools contribute to a visual appeal that is slightly higher than the Tampa average. According to iHuus data, some pockets of the area also contain denser apartment complexes and more modest housing footprints.
Lush green verges and nearby sports fields provide adequate space for pet exercise. According to iHuus data, these accessible walking areas are slightly more prevalent here than across the rest of Tampa.
Residential layouts feature a mix of single-family homes and mature tree canopies, providing more open land and greenery than the typical Tampa urban environment. This semi-rural character is characterized by scattered homes nestled among woodland and integrated recreational spaces according to iHuus data.
Primarily composed of calm, low-key streets, this area offers a subdued atmosphere that is slightly more tranquil than the typical Tampa neighborhood. While some pockets feature local dining and transit hubs, much of the landscape is centered around residential greenery with minimal commercial activity.
Steady sounds from nearby busy streets are present, though acoustic levels remain more favorable than the Tampa average. According to iHuus data, the area experiences a consistent hum of local vehicle traffic.
Frequent periods of unhealthy air levels pose a significant risk to sensitive groups. While conditions are suboptimal, the air quality in Forest Hills remains slightly better than the city average according to iHuus data.
Heavy industrial activity is largely absent, making the area much quieter than the Tampa average. While some large warehouses and transit-related noise exist near major thoroughfares, most of the neighborhood consists of residential streets and green spaces.
Health insurance enrollment levels in this area are roughly in line with the Tampa average. According to iHuus data, a significant portion of the population remains uninsured.
Political views in this area are distributed relatively evenly between conservative and liberal leanings. This reflects a more balanced ideological landscape than the broader Tampa average, according to iHuus data.
Residents live among a diverse age range that includes young adults, families, and older individuals. This demographic spread is more varied than the average seen across Tampa.
Residual flood risks exist within this area as it contains portions of the 500-year floodplain. This level of risk is notably higher than the average found across Tampa.
Block-Level Insights for Forest Hills
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| Dimension | Forest Hills | Arbor Greene |
|---|---|---|
| 🚶 Walkabilityavg 6.08 | ||
| 🔊 Acoustic Comfortavg 2.94 | ||
| 🤫 Privacy Indexavg 5.25 | ||
| 🎨 Visual Appealavg 5.82 | ||
| 🐕 Dog Friendlinessavg 5.48 | ||
| 🗺️ Urban-Rural Indexavg 6.28 | ||
| ✨ Neighborhood Vibeavg 3.39 | ||
| 🏥 Health Insurance Coverageavg 5.93 | ||
| 🌿 Air Qualityavg 1.36 | ||
| 🏭 Industrial Proximityavg 6.63 | ||
| 🌊 Flood Safetyavg 4.98 | ||
| 🗳️ Ideological Leanavg 5.57 | ||
| 👥 Population Age Profileavg 4.16 | ||
| 🔥 Fire Safety | ||
| 🏫 School Quality |
Forest Hills Rankings
School Districts Serving Forest Hills
Hillsborough County Public Schools serves as a vital but highly divided community anchor, reflecting a classic Mixed/Transition profile. Under the steady leadership of Superintendent Van Ayres, the district has made positive strides, earning a solid B grade from the state and achieving a record-high graduation rate of over 90 percent. A major milestone in community trust occurred in late 2024 when voters approved a critical millage referendum to boost teacher salaries alongside the renewal of the Community Investment Tax, providing a massive financial lift to a district that previously struggled with budget deficits and staff retention. Families are drawn to prestigious flagship campuses like Plant High School, Steinbrenner High School, and Newsome High School, which are celebrated for their rigorous academic programs and college preparation. However, home buyers should be aware of a stark divide in educational quality across the county, with high-performing suburban schools contrasting with lower-performing urban campuses. Additionally, the district faces enrollment pressures from a growing homeschooling trend and charter school competition, alongside potential governance changes as state lawmakers push to transition the superintendent role to an elected position by 2028.
Schools
School Insights for Forest Hills
Below average outcomes; significant attendance and academic challenges.
School Insights
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