TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa is getting new election maps this year as part of a routine redistricting process that takes place every four years. The Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission is now working on redrawing Tampa City Council district boundaries to reflect population changes since the last census.

What You Need To Know

20,000 new residents moved to the Tampa Bay area since 2020

District 7 is one of the fastest growing 

The new map is still being worked out

City officials say more than 20,000 new residents have moved to the Tampa area since 2020, leading to shifts in population and demographics across several districts. While changes are expected, planners emphasize that they will be modest.

“Every four years, district maps go through changes, but nothing dramatic,” said Yassert Gonzalez, a demographic researcher with the planning commission. “We need to do slight surgical moves of voting precincts to make sure things are balanced again.”

One of the most notable demographic changes is in District 5, which includes downtown Tampa, Ybor City, East Tampa and parts of West Tampa. For the first time, African American voters are no longer a majority in the district, though they remain the largest voting bloc. Black voters now make up less than 45 percent of the district’s population.

Councilman Luis Viera, who represents District 7 and is serving his final term, said maintaining representation across districts is critical as boundaries are adjusted.

“We want to make sure that we have African American representation on the Tampa City Council,” Viera said. “It’s very important to me and a lot of council members.”

District 7, which covers the northeast portion of the city, including New Tampa and the University of South Florida area, has seen rapid growth. According to the planning commission, there is now an approximately 8,600-resident population gap between District 7 and District 5.

To address that imbalance, the commission is considering shifting some precincts between districts. Officials say that the vast majority of residents will not be affected.

“We’re just moving one or two precincts,” Gonzalez said. “Ninety-five percent of people are not going to be affected.”

The planning commission will hold a series of open houses in mid-January, followed by two public hearings in February and March, before final approval of the new district maps.