Hillsborough County is the name shared by two counties in the United States. Both are named for Wills Hill, the 18th‑century British statesman who held the title Earl of Hillsborough, but they are distinct jurisdictions located in different regions of the country.
Hillsborough County, Florida
Located on Florida's west-central coast, Hillsborough County is anchored by the city of Tampa, which serves as the county seat and its largest municipality. The county is a central part of the Tampa Bay metropolitan area and includes a mixture of urban neighborhoods, suburban communities, and coastal areas.
- County seat: Tampa
- Population: about 1.46 million (2020 census)
- Economy: diversified, with major sectors including port and maritime activity, healthcare, finance, tourism, and higher education
- Notable institutions: major regional healthcare centers, the University of South Florida, and the Port of Tampa Bay
Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
In southern New Hampshire, Hillsborough County covers an area that includes the cities of Manchester and Nashua, which function as the county’s two shire towns (county seats). The county is the state’s most populous and forms part of the larger Manchester–Nashua economic region.
- County seats: Manchester and Nashua
- Population: about 423,000 (2020 census)
- Character: a mix of urban centers, older industrial suburbs, and smaller residential towns with growing service and technology sectors
- Transportation and economy: regional road and air connections support manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and professional services
Notes on the name
Although both counties share the same name and etymology, they are separate legal entities with independent governments and histories. References to "Hillsborough County" should specify the state to avoid confusion.