Hernando County Florida
Hernando County is located on the west-central coast of Florida north of Tampa Bay. With the Gulf of Mexico to the west, Citrus County to the north, Sumter County to the east, and Pasco County to the south. Hernando County is 37 miles from east to west and 18 miles from north to south for a total of 506 square miles.
Hernando County is part of the 9-county “Nature Coast” and is within the census-designated Tampa Bay metropolitan area. Construction, dairy and livestock production, distribution, electronics, forest resources, health care, limestone mining, manufacturing, retail trade, and tourism drive the county’s economy.
As part of the Nature Coast, vast tracts of public land in Hernando County have been preserved. These include the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Chinsegut Hill National Wildlife Refuge, Withlacoochee State Forest, and the Weeki Wachee Preserve. Recreation Area on the Withlacoochee and Weeki Wachee Rivers, as well as Silver Lake Recreation Area, and Weeki Wachee Springs offers numerous outdoor activities.
With a moderate January average temperature of 60 degrees, outdoor recreation is abundant in Hernando County. Hunting, fishing, camping, rowing, bird watching, biking, and hiking are just a few of the many recreational opportunities enjoyed by residents and visitors alike. Numerous championship golf courses, paved or wilderness bike trails, and the Croom Motorcycle Recreation Area offer additional recreational opportunities for County residents and visitors.
The 2000 census population for Hernando County was 130,802. Spring Hill is the largest community in Hernando County with a population of approximately 80,000. Brooksville is the county seat with a population of around 7,000. The only other city within Hernando County is Weeki Wachee with a small population of less than 20. It was incorporated many decades ago to appear on Florida maps, but is primarily a tourist destination for its world famous mermaid shows.
In 2001, the Suncoast Parkway was opened to connect Hernando County to the Tampa International Airport. The turnpike allows for easier commutes between Hernando County and Tampa Bay. Other major highways, such as Interstate 75, US 19, and US 301, run north-south and provide other routes to the Tampa Bay area. The main east and west highway is US 50, which runs from County Line in the east to Weeki Wachee on the west coast.
Hernando County’s location allows for short commutes to both Tampa Bay and Orlando, offering countless entertainment options. Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios and many other entertainment venues are within an hour’s drive to the east. Bush Gardens in Tampa Bay can be reached in 45 minutes from most locations in the county. Other areas surrounding Hernando County, such as the Cyprus Gardens in Lakeland, Silver Springs in Ocala, and the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, are other great locations.
Hernando County’s official population grew from 17,004 in 1970 to 130,802 in 2000. The latest estimate of the county’s population is 165,034. With population growth, the county’s real estate market has expanded dramatically over the past 5 years. Hernando County’s proximity to the Tampa Bay area offers more affordable housing and an easy commute. Hernando County offers a quiet and relaxing rural lifestyle within close proximity to the cities of Tampa and Orlando. For more information on Hernando County Real Estate at Hernando County Real Estate