Located 15 miles north of Tampa, the unincorporated city of Lutz offers a mix of rural and suburban living with well-maintained housing developments separated by wooded enclaves of cypress and pine trees. Locals can enjoy the mature foliage and sunny Florida climate at Carolyn Meeker Dog Park or the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex, which features open fields and playgrounds. While the city is much quieter and more residential than nearby cities like Tampa, seasonal events like the annual Independence Day Parade bring the community together, and shopping plazas like the Tampa Premium Outlets are dotted along major roadways.
Dog parks, lakefront activities and community celebrations
County-operated parks and greenspaces are sprinkled around town, including Carolyn Meeker Dog Park, a fenced-in space for locals and their pets to enjoy the vast grassy fields. The Oscar Cooler Sports Complex sits at the center of town with softball fields, shaded playgrounds, tennis courts and other athletic facilities. Fishing enthusiasts can visit Lake Park, which encompasses five lakes just west of Lutz, to rent a canoe or kayak and catch some largemouth bass or snook.
Locals come together for the community’s annual Independence Day Parade, which also includes a baking contest and a 1-mile fun run. In December, the annual Arts & Crafts Festival, organized by the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, features over 200 vendors and artisans selling their work and competing in the juried art show.
Nearby Tampa Premium Outlet Mall and locally owned eateries
Along major highways like Interstate 75 and U.S. Route 41, Small, locally owned restaurants, including breakfast joints like the Breakfast Nook and Italian eateries like Villaggio’s, are grouped together in shopping plazas with chain retailers like Target and Publix. On Lutz’s northeast corner, the Tampa Premium Outlets offer discounted products at stores like Levi’s and Calvin Klein.
Residential developments including a wide variety of housing styles
Overall, homes in Lutz sell for a median price of $500,000, up 7% since 2023, and are usually grouped together in subdivisions separated by forested areas and narrow country roads. Generally, newer developments feature more cookie-cutter New Traditional-style homes with uniform setbacks along well-maintained streets and sidewalks, while those built in the ‘80s and ‘90s feature a range in styles from ranchers to Mediterranean Revival-style homes on acre- or multi-acre wooded lots. With dozens of small lakes peppered around town, many homes have waterfront access. Though some lots are available for new construction, much of the community’s wooded space is preserved to maintain the natural landscape and secluded vibe.
Accessing neighboring cities on Interstate 75
Lutz is bordered by Interstate 75 on the west, which can take residents 15 miles south to Tampa in 20 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Though most of the city isn’t accessible by bus, Pasco County has a Route 54 bus that can take passengers 20 miles west to Beacon Square, near the Gulf Coast. Nearby airports include Tampa International Airport, about 22 miles away, and St. Joseph’s Hospital is located just west of Lutz.
Local schools in Hillsborough and Pasco County
Lutz is split between two counties along East County Line Road, with the majority lying within Hillsborough School District and the northernmost end falling within Pasco School District, both receiving a B-plus overall rating from Niche. Hillsborough serves over 220,000 students with 304 schools, while Pasco County is considerably smaller, with over 80,000 students and 103 schools. Local kids in kindergarten through 8th grade may attend Lutz Preparatory School, a top-rated charter school in Hillsborough County. Students here benefit from a rigorous curriculum, with faculty offering additional support during daily tutoring sessions.
Low crime rates and community outreach programs
Violent crime in Lutz occurs at a rate of 2.71 incidents per 1,000, compared to a nationwide rate of 3.81; property crime occurs at a rate of 7.93 incidents per 1,000 residents against a nationwide rate of 19.54. The Hillsborough County Police Department and Pasco County Sheriff’s Office support local charities like the Hillsborough Community College Foundation and the Pace Center for Girls to give back to the community.
Preparing for hurricanes and other severe weather
Since Lutz is at a higher elevation than other cities in the greater Tampa Bay area, there aren't any specified evacuation zones for flooding or other severe weather. Many properties may still be at risk of flooding and high winds during a hurricane, so locals are advised to gather supplies before a storm and use sandbags to barricade their property from outside flood waters. After a storm, tree branches and other debris can be collected and placed in front of the property for pick-up by the county.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
