Hernando County, Florida | |
|---|---|
 Hernando County Courthouse | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofFlorida | |
 Florida's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:28°33′N82°28′W / 28.55°N 82.47°W /28.55; -82.47 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| Founded | February 24, 1843 |
| Named after | Hernando de Soto |
| Seat | Brooksville |
| Largest community | Spring Hill |
| Area | |
• Total | 589 sq mi (1,530 km2) |
| • Land | 473 sq mi (1,230 km2) |
| • Water | 116 sq mi (300 km2) 19.8% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 194,515 |
• Estimate (2023) | 212,807 |
| • Density | 411/sq mi (159/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 12th |
| Website | www |
Hernando County (Spanish:Condado de Hernando) is acounty located on the west central coast of theU.S. state ofFlorida. As of the2020 census, the population was 194,515.[1] Itscounty seat isBrooksville,[2] and its largest community isSpring Hill. Hernando County is included in theTampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FLMetropolitan Statistical Area.[3] It is also part of theNature Coast of Florida.
In 1767, a group of Upper Creeks fromEufaula, Alabama, migrated to the Tampa Bay region and settled in what is now Hernando County. They would eventually become a part of the Muskogee speakingSeminole.[4]
Roughly 100 settlers and over 50 slaves arrived in what would become Hernando County in February 1842.[5] Fort DeSoto was soon established in the northeast edge of present-dayBrooksville to protect these settlers in the area from Native Americans. The fort became a small community center, trading post, and way station on the route toTampa. Further settlements started to grow near the fort beginning around 1845; two towns developed, Melendez and Pierceville, which would later merge to create Brooksville in 1856.[6]
Then encompassing a significantly larger area of west central Florida than it does today, Hernando County was officially established on February 27, 1843, two years prior to Florida's admission into the Union. It was created from portions of Alachua, Hillsborough and Orange Counties and included all of present-day Citrus and Pasco Counties. Named forSpanishexplorerHernando de Soto,[7] whose name has also been honored inDeSoto County, Hernando County was briefly renamed Benton County in 1844 forMissouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, a strong supporter of territorial expansion who aided in the county's creation. However, Benton fell out of favor with the county's residents later in the decade due to his decision to support theMissouri Compromise and the overall reversal of his stance on slavery, and the county's name reverted in 1850.
In December 1854, the legislature designated the small port town ofBayport the county seat. Residents living in the eastern section of the county instead desired a more central place for the county government, and by 1855, voters had selected an inland site within five miles (8.0 km) of the center of the county at the town of Melendez. In 1856, the citizens of Hernando County chose to rename the town, their new County Seat,Brooksville in honor ofSouth Carolina Representative Preston Brooks, who in the same year beat fierce abolitionistMassachusetts Senator Charles Sumner with a cane in the Senate chambers, winning the Congressman great renown in the South.
In 1855, town founder Joseph Hale donated land for a county courthouse in the center of present-day Brooksville. Soon thereafter, the structure was completed.
During theCivil War, Hernando County primarily contributed foodstuffs, cotton, and lumber to the Confederacy. Although Union ships imposed a blockade on the port ofBayport, runners enjoyed a great deal of success—enough to lead the Union in June 1864 to order some 150–250 troop to destroy Confederate stockpiles in the county. In early July, the expeditions, including 2 companies from the2nd U.S. Florida Cavalry, marched northward from Anclote River toBrooksville, meeting some resistance from assembled Confederate troops hastily organized to protect the city.[8] The Federal troops won this engagement (known locally as the Brooksville Raid[9] and marched to Bayport, where they and an auxiliary force landing from gunboats sacked Rebel operations. The skirmish between Union raiders and local Confederates is reenacted annually in the county.[10]
At least one unit that fought in the Civil War was mustered in Hernando County. The Hernando County "Wildcats," formed Company C of3rd Florida Infantry Regiment. The unit was captained by Walter Terry Saxon who was reportedly well liked by his men. He was paid roughly $20,000 for work surveying the Everglades. He used most of this money to arm and equip the Wildcats.[11]
Despite many citizens', including new immigrants, attempts at making Hernando an open and welcoming place, the county became one of the many Florida plantation counties that was a hotbed forKu Klux Klan activity.[12] Arthur St. Clair, a minister, was lynched in Hernando County, Florida, in 1877 for performing the wedding of a black man and white woman.[13]
The county courthouse was destroyed by a fire on September 29, 1877. On June 2, 1887, theFlorida State Legislature divided Hernando County into three independent counties:Pasco County to the south,Citrus County to the north, and Hernando County in the middle. Since then, Hernando County's borders have remained unchanged.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 589 square miles (1,530 km2), of which 473 square miles (1,230 km2) is land and 116 square miles (300 km2) (19.8%) is water.[14] According to the World Atlas USA, Hernando County is the geographic center of Florida. Elevation in the county ranges from mean sea level along the Gulf coast to its highest natural point of 269 feet atChinsegut Hill.[15]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 926 | — | |
| 1860 | 1,200 | 29.6% | |
| 1870 | 2,938 | 144.8% | |
| 1880 | 4,248 | 44.6% | |
| 1890 | 2,476 | −41.7% | |
| 1900 | 3,638 | 46.9% | |
| 1910 | 4,997 | 37.4% | |
| 1920 | 4,548 | −9.0% | |
| 1930 | 4,948 | 8.8% | |
| 1940 | 5,641 | 14.0% | |
| 1950 | 6,693 | 18.6% | |
| 1960 | 11,205 | 67.4% | |
| 1970 | 17,004 | 51.8% | |
| 1980 | 44,469 | 161.5% | |
| 1990 | 101,115 | 127.4% | |
| 2000 | 130,802 | 29.4% | |
| 2010 | 172,778 | 32.1% | |
| 2020 | 194,515 | 12.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 212,807 | [16] | 9.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[17] 1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19] 1990-2000[20] 2010-2015[1] 2019[21] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[22] | Pop 1990[23] | Pop 2000[24] | Pop 2010[25] | Pop 2020[26] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 40,691 | 93,701 | 116,670 | 141,847 | 144,060 | 91.50% | 92.67% | 89.20% | 82.10% | 74.06% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 2,736 | 3,812 | 5,149 | 8,165 | 9,507 | 6.15% | 3.77% | 3.94% | 4.73% | 4.89% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 78 | 237 | 361 | 483 | 553 | 0.18% | 0.23% | 0.28% | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 98 | 382 | 820 | 1,815 | 2,566 | 0.22% | 0.38% | 0.63% | 1.05% | 1.32% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[27] | x[28] | 23 | 62 | 86 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.04% | 0.04% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 32 | 21 | 111 | 244 | 868 | 0.07% | 0.02% | 0.08% | 0.14% | 0.45% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[29] | x[30] | 1,081 | 2,366 | 7,830 | x | x | 0.83% | 1.37% | 4.03% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 834 | 2,962 | 6,587 | 17,796 | 29,045 | 1.88% | 2.93% | 5.04% | 10.30% | 14.93% |
| Total | 44,469 | 101,115 | 130,802 | 172,778 | 194,515 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Non-Hispanic White 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 194,515 people, 76,708 households, and 51,765 families residing in the county.
As of thecensus[31] of 2000, there were 130,802 people, 55,425 households, and 40,016 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 106 per square mile (41/km2). There were 62,727 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.85%White, 4.07%Black orAfrican American, 0.30%Native American, 0.64%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.98% fromother races, and 1.13% from two or more races. A total of 5.04% of the population wasHispanic orLatino of any race. 91.1% spokeEnglish, 4.5%Spanish, 1.1%German and 1.1%Italian as their first language.
There were 55,425 households, which 21.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% weremarried couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. A total of 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the county 18.90% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.40% was between the ages of 18 and 24, 20.40% between 25 and 44, 24.40% between 45 and 64, and 30.90% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 90.50 males. For every 100 females, age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,572, and the median income for a family was $37,509. Males had a median income of $30,295 versus $21,661 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $18,321. About 7.10% of families and 10.30% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those ages 65 or over.
Hernando County is home to the largest (truck-to-truck) Wal-Mart Distribution Center in the U.S. approximately 1,600,000 square feet (150,000 m2) in size and located in Ridge Manor. The industrial parkAirport Industrial Park is a 155-acre (0.63 km2) located near the Hernando County Airport. Over one hundred aviation, manufacturing and distribution businesses are located in this area.
The top employers of Hernando County are as follows:[32]
1.Hernando County School Board (3,002)
2.Walmart (1,350)
3. Hernando County Government
4.Oak Hill Hospital (1,561)
5.Publix (1,050)
6. Walmart HernandoDistribution center (1,020)
Hernando THE Bus provides bus service in Brooksville and Spring Hill.
CSX operates two rail lines within the county.Amtrak formerly provided passenger rail service along the oldSeaboard Air Line Railroad line east ofUS 301 in Ridge Manor, but had no stops in the county, the nearest stops beingDade City on the segment that was originally part of theAtlantic Coast Line Railroad, and its last train on the line, thePalmetto had its Florida service discontinued in late 2004.[33] The other line is theBrooksville Subdivision, which runs close toUS 41, and was previously also owned by the Seaboard Air Line. The last train directly serving the county, inCroom, was local Jacksonville - St. Petersburg service in 1955 or 1956 operated by theAtlantic Coast Line Railroad.[34]
Notable abandoned railroad lines include a former branch of theAtlantic Coast Line Railroad spanning from southeast ofRidge Manor throughIstachatta that became part of theWithlacoochee State Trail, and a spur of this line from Croom west into Brooksville, which was replaced by a new rail trail called theGood Neighbor Trail. Though originally the Good Neighbor Trail only existed within Brooksville itself, the extension to the Withlacoohee State Trail has existed since 2018.
US 19 (SR 55 /Commercial Way) is a major commercial highway running parallel to the Gulf of Mexico on the western edge of the county, and used as a primary connecting route to cities on the west coast of Florida, includingHudson,New Port Richey,Tarpon Springs,Clearwater, andSt. Petersburg, as well asHomosassa andCrystal River to the north.
US 41 (SR 45 /Broad Street) runs parallel to US 19 through points in the center of the county, including downtownBrooksville, where it intersects with SR 50 and US 98. It is still a primary connecting route with Tampa. Between Brooksville andGarden Grove, US 41 is a six-lane highway, and between Garden Grove andMasaryktown it is a four-lane highway. To the northeast, US 41 runs through part of theWithlacoochee State Forest. Plans are currently under way to widen US 41 throughout Hernando County.
US 98 (SR 700 /Ponce de Leon Boulevard) runs diagonally across the county from the northwest to the southeast, where it exits into Pasco County, and runs concurrent with SR 50 in the eastern part of the county, intersects I-75 in Ridge Manor West and meets the Suncoast Parkway at the parkway's current end near World Woods Golf Course north of Brooksville.
US 301 (SR 35 /Treiman Boulevard) is a north–south highway that crosses into the county briefly at its tapered eastern end, running parallel to I-75, and intersecting with SR 50 atRidge Manor.
I-75 (SR 93 /Interstate 75) runs north and south across the eastern part of the county, with one exit (Exit 301) at its intersection with US 98/SR 50. Once a major connecting point with Tampa, I-75 has been made obsolete for western residents of the county by the Suncoast Parkway.
SR 589 (Suncoast Parkway) enters the county in the south slightly to the west of US 41, and ends in the far northern part of the county at US 98. The Suncoast Parkway is a toll road that connects Hernando County withHillsborough County, where it becomes theVeterans Expressway and heads directly intoTampa International Airport before reachingInterstate 275. SR 589 has four Hernando County exits:County Line Road (Exit 37),Spring Hill Drive (Exit 41),SR 50 (Exit 46), andUS 98 (Exit 55).
SR 50 (Cortez Boulevard) begins at US 19 inWeeki Wachee, runs throughBrooksville, and exits intoSumter County at the eastern tip of the county. Along the way, it interchanges with the Suncoast Parkway, intersects with US 41 in Brooksville, runs concurrently with US 98, and intersects with I-75 in Ridge Manor West(Hernando County's only interchange with I-75) and US 301 inRidge Manor. A significant, well-developed highway in the county, SR 50 originally extended from US 19 to the Gulf Coast atBayport. This section was given back to the county and is currentlyCR 550. Currently, S.R. 50 is used as a beeline route from the county toOrlando in the east.
SR 50A (Jefferson Street) is a spur of SR 50 that runs through downtown Brooksville, running concurrently with both US 41 and US 98 at points.
CR 574 (Spring Hill Drive / CR 574) is a major county road running roughly parallel to both SR 50 and the border with Pasco County beginning by US 19, intersects the Suncoast Parkway, and ends at US 41.
CR 578 (County Line Road / CR 578) is a major county road running entirely along the border with Pasco County beginning at US 19, intersects the Suncoast Parkway, and ends at US 41. Due to increased congestion, it is planned to be upgraded from two to four lanes, and possibly upgraded from a county road to a state road.Hernando County has been trending towards the Republican Party in the 21st century. As is true with multiple other Florida counties, the 2024 presidential election saw the greatest Republican support in the county sinceNixon's 1972 landslide.[35]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1892 | 0 | 0.00% | 227 | 73.23% | 83 | 26.77% |
| 1896 | 37 | 13.31% | 231 | 83.09% | 10 | 3.60% |
| 1900 | 18 | 6.29% | 252 | 88.11% | 16 | 5.59% |
| 1904 | 12 | 5.97% | 172 | 85.57% | 17 | 8.46% |
| 1908 | 57 | 16.81% | 260 | 76.70% | 22 | 6.49% |
| 1912 | 18 | 4.70% | 272 | 71.02% | 93 | 24.28% |
| 1916 | 38 | 6.79% | 446 | 79.64% | 76 | 13.57% |
| 1920 | 132 | 16.14% | 622 | 76.04% | 64 | 7.82% |
| 1924 | 59 | 14.71% | 300 | 74.81% | 42 | 10.47% |
| 1928 | 661 | 47.79% | 701 | 50.69% | 21 | 1.52% |
| 1932 | 258 | 19.04% | 1,097 | 80.96% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 313 | 21.92% | 1,115 | 78.08% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 381 | 24.87% | 1,151 | 75.13% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 346 | 25.67% | 1,002 | 74.33% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 441 | 26.38% | 825 | 49.34% | 406 | 24.28% |
| 1952 | 1,279 | 53.67% | 1,104 | 46.33% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 1,295 | 47.44% | 1,435 | 52.56% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,809 | 48.00% | 1,960 | 52.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 2,337 | 50.18% | 2,320 | 49.82% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,053 | 34.42% | 1,524 | 25.55% | 2,387 | 40.02% |
| 1972 | 6,296 | 74.87% | 2,110 | 25.09% | 3 | 0.04% |
| 1976 | 5,793 | 42.19% | 7,717 | 56.20% | 222 | 1.62% |
| 1980 | 12,115 | 54.99% | 8,858 | 40.21% | 1,059 | 4.81% |
| 1984 | 21,279 | 63.54% | 12,204 | 36.44% | 4 | 0.01% |
| 1988 | 21,195 | 57.50% | 15,437 | 41.88% | 231 | 0.63% |
| 1992 | 17,902 | 36.47% | 19,174 | 39.06% | 12,010 | 24.47% |
| 1996 | 22,046 | 37.97% | 28,524 | 49.12% | 7,496 | 12.91% |
| 2000 | 30,658 | 47.00% | 32,648 | 50.05% | 1,930 | 2.96% |
| 2004 | 42,635 | 52.93% | 37,187 | 46.17% | 725 | 0.90% |
| 2008 | 45,021 | 51.01% | 41,886 | 47.46% | 1,350 | 1.53% |
| 2012 | 44,938 | 53.54% | 37,830 | 45.07% | 1,160 | 1.38% |
| 2016 | 58,970 | 62.30% | 31,795 | 33.59% | 3,886 | 4.11% |
| 2020 | 70,412 | 64.51% | 37,519 | 34.37% | 1,219 | 1.12% |
| 2024 | 75,446 | 67.94% | 34,431 | 31.00% | 1,175 | 1.06% |
Hernando County's chief legislative body is the Board of County Commissioners. The county is divided into five Districts, each with their own commissioner. Commissioners are elected by the voters at large, to four-year terms.[37] Specific duties of the county Commissioners are outlined inChapter 125, Florida Statutes.
| Year | Commissioner | Party | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | John Mitten | REP | June 2018 - 2020[38] |
| 2016 | Nick Nicholson | REP | 2016 - June 2018[38] |
| 2012 | Nick Nicholson | REP | 2012 - 2016 |
| 2008 | Jeff Stabins | REP | 2008 - 2012 |
| Election Year | Candidates | Party | Number of Votes | Percentage of Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016[39] | Nick Nicholson | REP | 49,973 | 52.42% |
| Jimmy Lodato | DEM | 38,934 | 40.84% | |
| Total Votes | 88,907 | |||
| 2012[40] | Nick Nicholson | REP | 39,730 | 50.69% |
| Arlene Glantz | DEM | 32,716 | 41.73% | |
| Joseph J. Swilley Sr | INT | 5,775 | 7.37% | |
| Write-In Votes | 177 | 0.23% | ||
| Total Votes | 78,398 | |||
| 2008[41] | Jeff Stabins | REP | 47,175 | 57.41% |
| Ramon J Gurierrez | DEM | 34,995 | 42.59% | |
| Total Votes | 82,170 | |||
| Year | Commissioner | Party | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Wayne Dukes | REP | 2018-2022 |
| 2014 | Wayne Dukes | REP | 2014-2018 |
| 2010 | Wayne Dukes | REP | 2010-2014 |
| 2006 | Rose Rocco | DEM | 2006-2010 |
| 2002 | Hannah M. "Nancy" Robinson | DEM | 2002-2006 |
| Year | Commissioner | Party | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | John Allocco | REP | 2016-2020 |
| 2012 | Diane Rowden | DEM | 2012-2016 |
| 2008 | John Druzbick | REP | 2008-2012 |
| Election Year | Candidates | Party | Number of Votes | Percentage of Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016[39] | John Allocco | REP | 52,667 | 55.25% |
| Diane Rowden | DEM | 37,177 | 39.00% | |
| Total Votes | 89,844 | |||
| 2012[40] | Jason Patrick Sager | REP | 34,899 | 43.86% |
| Diane Rowden | DEM | 32,716 | 47.26% | |
| Gregory Lewis Sheldo | NPA | 6,861 | 8.62% | |
| Write-In Votes | 201 | 0.25% | ||
| Total Votes | 79,564 | |||
| 2008[41] | John Druzbick | REP | 44,270 | 53.55% |
| Diane Rowden | DEM | 38,404 | 46.45% | |
| Total Votes | 82,674 | |||
| Year | Commissioner | Party | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Jeff Holcomb | REP | 2018-2022 |
| 2014 | Jeff Holcomb | REP | 2014-2018 |
| 2010 | David Russell | REP | 2010-2014 |
| 2006 | David Russell | REP | 2006-2010 |
| Year | Commissioner | Party | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Steve Champion | REP | 2016-2020 |
| 2012 | James E Adkins | REP | 2012-2016 |
| 2008 | James E Adkins | REP | 2008-2012 |
| Election Year | Candidates | Party | Number of Votes | Percentage of Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016[39] | Steve Champion | REP | 55,892 | 58.63% |
| Paul Douglas | DEM | 32,362 | 33.95% | |
| Total Votes | 88,254 | |||
| 2012[40] | James E Adkins | REP | 44,091 | 56.56% |
| Ramon J Gutierrez | DEM | 33,859 | 43.44% | |
| Total Votes | 77,950 | |||
| 2008[41] | James E. Adkins | REP | 41,796 | 50.81% |
| Christopher Kingsley | DEM | 40,471 | 49.19% | |
| Total Votes | 82,267 | |||
| Year | Officer | Party | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Doug Chorvat | REP | 2020-2022 |
| 2018 | Doug Chorvat | REP | 2018-2020 |
| 2016 | Donald C. Barbee, Jr. | REP | 2016-2018 |
| Year | Officer | Party | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Shirley Anderson | REP | 2020-2024 |
| 2016[39] | Shirley Anderson | REP | 2016-2020 |
| 2012[40] | Shirley Anderson | REP | 2012-2016 |
| 2008[41] | Annie D Williams | DEM | 2008-2012 |
| Year | Officer | Party | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | John Emerson | REP | 2016-2020 |
| 2012 | John Emerson | REP | 2012-2016 |
| Year | Officer | Party | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Alvin "Al" Nienhuis | REP | 2020-2024 |
| 2016 | Alvin "Al" Nienhuis | REP | 2016-2020 |
| 2012 | Alvin "Al" Nienhuis | REP | 2012-2016 |
| 2010[44] | Alvin "Al" Nienhuis | REP | 2010-2012 |
| 2008 | Richard B Nugent | REP | 2008-2010 |
The county is served by theHernando County Library System. This is a public library system with one central library located in Brooksville and three other branches in Brooksville and Spring Hill. There are no bookmobiles associated with this library system. As of 2013, the staff totaled 42 people, including 11 librarians and 31 other staff members, only ten of which were full-time employees. TheFlorida Library Association chose the Hernando system as its 2013 Library of the Year. This library system serves a legal population of 136,484 people. The annual number of library visits is 480,706. There are 49 Internet terminals for use by the general public. The annual service hours for all service outlets is 12,215.
The library system has four branches:
28°33′N82°28′W / 28.55°N 82.47°W /28.55; -82.47
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Municipalities and communities ofHernando County, Florida,United States | ||
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