Tampa & Hillsborough County

• The city’s crime rate, dramatically higher than the state’s over the past decade, has fallen in recent years to near the statewide rate — 4,900 crimes per 100,000 population vs. a statewide average of 4,700. Tampa ranked No. 1 in hate crimes in Florida in 2007. Of the 13 hate crimes, eight were race-related — nearly 10% of the total in Florida.

• The combined Tampa/St. Petersburg area has a broadband penetration rate of 53% — 10th-highest in the country and fourth-highest in Florida.

• Tampa rates low on measures of volunteerism, placing 40th among 50 large cities. The city has fewer large and small non-profit organizations per 1,000 residents than the national average.

• In 2008, Tampa was ranked as the eighth-cleanest city in America and fifth-best outdoor city by Forbes.

• Between 2002-06, the county had the highest number of alcohol-related crashes in the state in three out of five years.

• Social researcher Richard Florida rates Tampa a “best buy” for all retirees, including gay and lesbian retirees.

• Between 2002-06, the county was second in state in total bike fatalities. The number of bike-lane miles rose from 329 in 2001 to 491 by 2006.

• Hillsborough County’s average commute time of 24.2 minutes ranks seventh-longest among Florida counties, 107th in the nation. As of 2006, the county reported nearly 200 miles of deficient roads.

• Tampa has a reputation as a center for both adult entertainment and conservative juries.

• Tampa ranks 16th on a list of road rage incidents compiled by the Prince Market Research Co. Miami, at No. 1, is the only other Florida city on list.