Northeast Macfarlane, Tampa
Updated June 22, 2026 · 9,813 residents
Northeast Macfarlane is a centrally located residential area in West Tampa known for its proximity to major sports venues like Raymond James Stadium. While the neighborhood offers a generally walkable grid with a lively atmosphere, residents should anticipate high traffic noise and specific environmental considerations.
Key Highlights
About Northeast Macfarlane
Northeast Macfarlane is a residential neighborhood within the historic West Tampa district, an area originally developed in 1892 by Scottish immigrant and lawyer Hugh C. Macfarlane. Macfarlane acquired 200 acres of swampland west of the Hillsborough River, aiming to create a cigar-manufacturing hub to compete with Ybor City. The neighborhood's development was spurred by the 1894 construction of a bridge over the river and subsequent streetcar connections, which facilitated the influx of Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants. While the neighborhood remains closely tied to the broader cultural identity of West Tampa—known for its historic cigar-industry roots and small, traditional eateries—Northeast Macfarlane is specifically bounded by Tampa Bay Boulevard, Dale Mabry Highway, and Interstate 275, positioning it near major landmarks like Raymond James Stadium and George M. Steinbrenner Field.
Northeast Macfarlane maintains a suburban feel characterized by a mix of single-family homes and modest yards that appeal to a diverse range of age groups. Its location provides convenient access to local breweries and dining options, contributing to an energy level that remains notably higher than the city average. The neighborhood grid supports pedestrian movement, though residents often navigate around the high-traffic arterials and highway barriers that define its borders.
Living in this area involves balancing urban convenience with certain environmental trade-offs. The neighborhood experiences frequent noise due to its proximity to major highways and railroad tracks, and residents should be aware of potential flood risks in certain zones. Additionally, air quality can occasionally be a concern for sensitive individuals. The area is well-suited for those who prioritize a central location and an active social environment over absolute quiet or pristine air conditions.
Neighborhood Scores Across 15 Qualities
Residential spacing provides a moderate level of buffer between neighbors, sitting slightly above the Tampa average. While some areas feature closely packed homes on a tight grid, many lots offer standard suburban setbacks and private backyards.
Pedestrian movement is supported by a consistent sidewalk grid and safe crossings, making the area more walkable than much of Tampa. While many residential streets are easy to navigate on foot, large high-traffic arterials and highway barriers can make certain parts of the neighborhood difficult to traverse.
Standard tract housing and modest yards define the local landscape. This level of visual variety is consistent with the average across Tampa.
Large athletic fields and central park areas provide notable space for dog walking, making the area slightly more dog friendly than the Tampa average. Some parts of the neighborhood feature narrow sidewalks and private fencing, which limits accessible green space for pets.
Residential areas feature a mix of single-family homes and commercial clusters that are slightly more open than the typical Tampa urban core. According to iHuus data, the landscape consists primarily of dense suburban grids with occasional pockets of larger green spaces and sports infrastructure.
Active social hubs and a dense variety of dining, bars, and cultural venues create an energy level significantly higher than the Tampa average. Residents can find a bustling mix of urban grids and suburban pockets featuring local breweries, universities, and diverse eateries according to iHuus data.
Frequent noise from nearby highways and railroad tracks characterizes the area. This level of acoustic disturbance is consistent with the broader Tampa average.
Frequent unhealthy air quality levels pose a significant risk to sensitive groups in this area. According to iHuus data, the atmosphere in Northeast Macfarlane is notably worse than the average for Tampa.
Heavy industrial hazards are largely absent, though residents may encounter increased traffic and noise near larger warehouses and major highways. This level of industrial proximity is notably lower than the Tampa average according to iHuus data.
Health insurance coverage among residents is moderate and sits slightly below the Tampa average, according to iHuus data.
Political perspectives in this area are split nearly evenly between conservative and liberal leanings. This distribution is slightly more moderate than the broader Tampa average, according to iHuus data.
Residents live alongside a balanced mix of young adults, families, and seniors. This demographic spread is more varied than the average seen across Tampa.
Flood risk levels are notably higher than the Tampa average, as parts of the area sit within a 500 year floodplain. Residents should be aware of some residual flood risk according to iHuus data.
Block-Level Insights for Northeast Macfarlane
iHuus Neighborhood Intelligence Insights
Get block-level neighborhood insights for Northeast Macfarlane
- Street-level scores — see how individual blocks compare, not just neighborhood averages
- Micro-zone boundaries — identify quiet pockets, flood boundaries, and walkable clusters before you visit
- 15 dimensions in full — walkability, noise, air quality, school quality, insurance coverage, population age profile, urban/rural index, and more
- Boundary risk alerts — know if your address sits near a block boundary where scores drop, the kind of detail no listing will ever mention
- School insights — individual school ratings and insights, not just district-level data
- Compare before you commit — side-by-side data across neighborhoods, down to block precision
No credit card required
Compare with Any Neighborhood
| Dimension | Northeast Macfarlane | 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 |
Northeast Macfarlane Rankings
School Districts Serving Northeast Macfarlane
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 Northeast Macfarlane
Below average outcomes; significant attendance and academic challenges.
School Insights
See what's really behind every school rating near Northeast Macfarlane
- Individual school ratings — each school's own score with outcome context, not just a district average
- Enrollment & class size data — student-to-teacher ratio and how it compares to the state average
- Full demographics breakdown — ethnicity and gender composition for every school in the enrollment zone
- Every school in the district — all schools within the enrollment boundary ranked by rating, not just the closest one
- Grade levels & benchmarks — elementary through high school, with below/above state-average flags
No credit card required