What County is Lithia, FL?

What county is Lithia, FL located in? Lithia is located in Hillsborough County. Lithia has seen growth in small, local businesses to serve its residents. This includes a variety of shops, restaurants, and service providers throughout the community.

One example is Junk it Today, a junk removal company in Lithia and the greater Tampa region. Junk it Today offers full-service junk and debris removal for residential and commercial clients in Lithia and surrounding areas.

Where is Lithia, FL?

Lithia is an unincorporated community in Hillsborough County in the state of Florida. It is approximately 15 miles east of Tampa, along the Alafia River.

Is Lithia, FL a Good Place to Live?

Lithia is considered a great place to live for many reasons:

• Excellent public schools – Lithia is served by the highly-rated Hillsborough County School District. Top-ranked schools like FishHawk Creek Elementary and Randall Middle School are located here.
• Low crime rates – Lithia has below-average crime rates compared to other areas in Florida. Residents feel safe in their community.
• Suburban amenities – While maintaining a quiet suburban feel, Lithia provides easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment in nearby Brandon and Tampa.
• Outdoor recreation – The Alafia River provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and canoeing in town. There are also several parks and nature preserves nearby.
• Mild climate – Lithia enjoys a subtropical climate with average temperatures in the 70s and 80s year-round.

Excellent schools, low crime, amenities, recreation, and weather make Lithia a desirable place to live.

Is Lithia, FL Safe?

Yes, Lithia is generally considered a very safe place to live. According to NeighborhoodScout, Lithia’s crime rates are lower than 96% of Florida communities and 84% of communities nationwide.

Some key safety facts about Lithia:

• The violent crime rate of only 1 per 2,243 residents, compared to the state average of 1 per 255
• Very low rates of murder, rape, assault, and robbery
• High safety ratings for all times of day and night

The low crime can be attributed to an active neighborhood watch program, a community-oriented sheriff’s office, engaged residents, and excellent socioeconomic conditions in Lithia. Overall, families feel very secure living in Lithia.

 

What to Do in Lithia, FL

There are plenty of activities for residents and visitors to enjoy in Lithia:

• Alafia River State Park – Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, wildlife viewing. Nature center and picnic areas.
• Hillsborough River State Park – More trails, camping, cabins, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities are just minutes away.
• The Shops at FishHawk Ranch – An outdoor shopping center with national retailers like Publix, Panera Bread, and Domino’s Pizza.
• Lithia Springs Park – Sports fields, courts, playgrounds, and swimming pool. Hosts community events.

Lithia’s location between Tampa and Lakeland also provides easy access to big city attractions and amenities within a short drive.

What is Lithia, FL Known For?

Here are some of the main things Lithia is known for:

• Location along the Alafia River – Provides natural beauty and recreational opportunities like kayaking, fishing, etc.
• Agriculture and citrus – Lithia was historically known for citrus groves and strawberry fields. Remnants of its agricultural past still exist.
• FishHawk Ranch community – One of Tampa’s most popular master-planned communities known for amenities and excellent schools.

Location, community, shopping, taxes, sports, and accessibility to Tampa make Lithia a desirable Tampa suburb.

Is Lithia, FL an Evacuation Zone?

No, Lithia is not located in a hurricane evacuation zone as designated by Hillsborough County. The nearest evacuation zone is Zone B, west of Lithia.

During a hurricane watch or warning, Hillsborough County will announce which zones are required to evacuate. 

Lithia falls into the “shelter in place” category, where residents are recommended to stay home and shelter during the storm.

Residents should monitor local weather alerts closely and be prepared to evacuate or move to a shelter if directed by emergency officials. 

Is Lithia, FL a Flood Zone?

Lithia is not considered a high flood-risk area. According to FEMA flood maps, most Lithia falls into Zone X, defined as moderate or minimal flood hazard.

There are some isolated Zone A and Zone AE areas within Lithia near waterways like the Alafia River, which represent a 1% annual chance of flooding. Homeowners in these zones may be required to carry flood insurance.

It’s important to check with Hillsborough County and FEMA to determine your exact flood zone risk and insurance requirements.

While major flooding in Lithia is rare, heavy rains can cause temporary roadway flooding, and homeowners should still take precautions like avoiding driving through high water. 

How Far is Lithia, FL From Tampa, FL?

Lithia is approximately 20-25 miles east of downtown Tampa, Florida. 

By car, the driving distance is about 20-25 minutes via I-4 and I-75, depending on traffic conditions.

Some key driving distances from Lithia to Tampa landmarks:

• Raymond James Stadium – 18 miles, 25 mins
• Tampa International Airport – 19 miles, 27 mins
• Busch Gardens – 23 miles, 28 mins
• Tampa Convention Center – 15 miles, 21 mins
• Ybor City – 16 miles, 22 mins

Lithia provides easy access to jobs, entertainment, Tampa Bay Lightning games, theme parks, and the airport roughly a 15-25 minute drive away. The Hillsborough County transit system also provides bus routes connecting Lithia and Tampa.

How Far is Lithia, FL From The Beach?

Lithia is about 35 miles from the nearest public beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Here are driving distances to some popular beach destinations:

• Clearwater Beach – 35 miles, 45 mins
• St. Pete Beach – 37 miles, 50 mins
• Treasure Island Beach – 40 miles, 55 mins
• Madeira Beach – 43 miles, 60 mins
• Redington Beach – 45 miles, 65 mins

While Lithia is not directly on the coast, residents can reach the famous white sand beaches of the Gulf in under an hour drive. 

The Suncoast Parkway provides a convenient route west from Lithia to reach beach towns like Clearwater.

Many Lithia residents make regular weekend trips to enjoy swimming, sunbathing, beach walks, seafood restaurants, and spectacular Gulf sunsets. 

What Timezone is Lithia, FL In?

Lithia, Florida is in the Eastern Time Zone. It observes Eastern Standard Time (EST) all year round.

The Eastern Time Zone includes most of the eastern United States from Maine to Florida. Nearby cities like Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, Atlanta, and Washington DC are also on EST.

Some key facts about the EST timezone in Lithia:

• Does NOT observe Daylight Saving Time – Stays on EST year-round
• Offset UTC-5 hours – Meaning 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time
• No daylight time difference with the eastern U.S.
• 3-hour time difference with the U.S. West Coast

As a community on Florida’s east coast near Tampa, Lithia remains on Eastern Standard Time all year without shifting for DST. This makes it aligned with most of the eastern half of the country.

Lithia – A Beautiful Spot in the Tampa Bay Region

As outlined in this article, Lithia provides a beautiful blend of small-town charm, natural beauty, recreation, top-rated schools, and a low cost of living. It retains its agricultural roots and quiet lifestyle while granting easy access to big city opportunities in Tampa.

Whether you’re looking for a peaceful neighborhood, an outdoorsy lifestyle along the Alafia River, or a convenient home base near Tampa’s amenities, Lithia has something for you. 

It offers affordable suburban living without sacrificing amenities, activities, or the excellent weather and quality of life Florida is known for.

So, for those searching for their perfect spot in the Tampa Bay region, take a closer look at the Lithia area. You might find this is the friendly, beautiful community you’ve been looking for in this part of the Sunshine State.