Hillsborough County Sees Historic Drop in Crime

Homicide rate down 55% as overall crime declines for 4th straight year

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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According to the latest data from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System, Hillsborough County, Florida saw a significant reduction in overall crime in 2025, with a 12.79% drop compared to the previous year. Violent offenses like homicide decreased by 55%, while property crimes fell by more than 22%. Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister attributed the decline to a 'long-term approach to public safety' that includes targeted enforcement, a new Domestic Violence Unit, and the use of new technology.

Why it matters

The continued decrease in crime rates in Hillsborough County is a positive sign for the community, as it indicates that the sheriff's office's efforts to improve public safety are having a measurable impact. This is especially notable given the county's ongoing population growth, which often correlates with increased crime. The data suggests that Hillsborough is bucking that trend and becoming an even safer place to live, work, and raise a family.

The details

In 2025, Hillsborough County saw a 12.79% drop in overall crime compared to 2024. This included a 55% decrease in homicides, from 49 in 2024 to 22 in 2025. Firearm-related violent crime also went down 10.55%, while overall violent crime fell 13.85%. Property crimes, including vehicle burglaries, dropped by more than 22% year-over-year. Sheriff Chad Chronister credited the reductions to a 'long-term approach to public safety' that involves targeted enforcement, a new Domestic Violence Unit, and the use of new technology and tools.

  • In 2025, Hillsborough County saw the largest single-year reduction in overall crime yet, with a 12.79% drop compared to 2024.
  • From 2024 to 2025, the homicide rate in Hillsborough County dropped 55%, from 49 incidents to 22.

The players

Chad Chronister

The sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida, who attributed the historic crime reductions to his office's long-term public safety strategies.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency responsible for policing Hillsborough County, which has implemented new tactics and technologies to drive down crime rates.

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What they’re saying

“People continue to move to Hillsborough County, and despite that growth, crime is going down. That doesn't happen by chance. It happens because we are relentless about protecting this community and making sure Hillsborough County remains a safe place to live, visit, and raise a family.”

— Chad Chronister, Sheriff (wfla.com)

The takeaway

Hillsborough County's sustained reduction in crime, even as its population continues to grow, demonstrates the effectiveness of the sheriff's office's comprehensive public safety strategies. This data suggests that proactive, technology-enabled law enforcement paired with a focus on addressing root causes of crime can lead to meaningful and lasting improvements in community safety.