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 east to west and 18 miles north to south for a total of 506 square miles.
Hernando County is part of the 9-county “Natural Coast” and lies within the census-designated Tampa Bay metropolitan area. Construction, dairy / livestock production, distribution, electronics, forest resources, healthcare, lime mining, manufacturing, retail, and tourism drive the county’s economy.
As part of the Nature Coast, vast tracts of public land have been preserved in Hernando County. These include the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Chinsegut Hill National Wildlife Refuge, Withlacoochee State Forest, and Weeki Wachee Reserve. The Withlacoochee and Weeki Wachee Rivers Recreation Area, as well as the Silver Lake Recreation Area, and Weeki Wachee Springs offers numerous outdoor activities.
With a mild average January 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 wild bike trails, and the Croom Motorcycle Recreation Area provide additional recreational opportunities for visitors and county residents.
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 with the Tampa International Airport. The toll road allows for easier travel between Hernando County and Tampa Bay. Other major highways like Interstate 75, US 19, and US 301 run north-south and offer other routes to the Tampa Bay area. The main east and west highway is US 50 and runs from the County Line in the east to Weeki Wachee on the west coast.
Hernando County’s location allows for short trips to both Tampa Bay and Orlando, offering a myriad of entertainment options. Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, and many other entertainment venues are within an hour’s drive 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 places.
Hernando County’s official population grew from 17,004 in 1970 to 130,802 in 2000. The latest estimate for 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 country lifestyle near the cities of Tampa and Orlando. For more information on Hernando County Real Estate at Hernando County Real Estate