Hernando County, Florida

County in Florida, United States

County in Florida

Hernando County

County

Hernando County Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Florida

Florida's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 28°33′N 82°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| 330/sq mi (130/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 12th
Website| www.hernandocounty.us

Hernando County (Spanish: Condado de Hernando) is a county located on the west central coast of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 194,515.[1] Its county seat is Brooksville,[2] and its largest community is Spring Hill. Hernando County is included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area. [3] It is also part of the Nature Coast of Florida. As of 2005, Hernando was the 35th fastest-growing county in the country.[4]

## History

[edit]

Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto

In 1767, a group of Upper Creeks from Eufaula, Alabama, migrated to the Tampa Bay region and settled in what is now Hernando County. They would eventually become a part of the Muskogee speaking Seminole.[5]

### Early European Pioneers and Founding

[edit]

Roughly 100 settlers and over 50 slaves arrived in what would become Hernando County in February 1842.[6] Fort DeSoto was soon established in the northeast edge of present-day Brooksville 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 to Tampa. 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.[7]

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 for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto,[8] whose name has also been honored in DeSoto County, Hernando County was briefly renamed Benton County in 1844 for Missouri 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 the Missouri 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 of Bayport 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 of South Carolina Representative Preston Brooks, who in the same year beat fierce abolitionist Massachusetts 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.

### American Civil War

[edit]

During the Civil War, Hernando County primarily contributed foodstuffs, cotton, and lumber to the Confederacy. Although Union ships imposed a blockade on the port of Bayport, 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 the 2nd U.S. Florida Cavalry, marched northward from Anclote River to Brooksville, meeting some resistance from assembled Confederate troops hastily organized to protect the city.[9] The Federal troops won this engagement (known locally as the Brooksville Raid[10] 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.[11]

At least one unit that fought in the Civil War was mustered in Hernando County. The Hernando County "Wildcats," formed Company C of 3rd 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.[12]

### Reconstruction

[edit]

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 for Ku Klux Klan activity.[13] Arthur St. Clair, a minister, was lynched in Hernando County, Florida, in 1877 for performing the wedding of a black man and white woman.[14]

The county courthouse was destroyed by a fire on September 29, 1877. On June 2, 1887, the Florida 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.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.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.[15] 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 at Chinsegut Hill.[16]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Citrus County, Florida \- north
* Sumter County, Florida \- east
* Pasco County, Florida \- south

### National protected area

[edit]

* Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge

### State protected areas

[edit]

Weeki Wachee Springs

Withlacoochee State Forest

### Other points of interest

[edit]

* Croom Motorcycle Park
* Bayport Park
* Brooksville Railroad Depot Museum
* Delta Woods Park
* Weeki Wachee Preserve
* Veterans Memorial Park
* Tom Varn Park
* Annutteliga Hammock

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population 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| [17]| 9.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]
1790-1960[19] 1900-1990[20]
1990-2000[21] 2010-2015[1] 2019[22]
Hernando County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a] Race  | Pop 2010[25] | Pop 2020[26] | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|

White (NH)  | 141,847  | 144,060  | 82.1%  | 74.06%
Black or African American (NH)  | 8,165  | 9,507  | 4.73%  | 4.89%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)  | 483  | 553  | 0.28%  | 0.28%
Asian (NH)  | 1,815  | 2,566  | 1.05%  | 1.32%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 62  | 86  | 0.04%  | 0.04%
Some Other Race (NH)  | 244  | 868  | 0.14%  | 0.45%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)  | 2,366  | 7,830  | 1.37%  | 4.03%
Hispanic or Latino | 17,796  | 29,045  | 10.3%  | 14.93%
Total | 172,778 | 194,515 |  |
A map of racial demographics in Hernando County, Florida by Census tract

Legend

* Non-Hispanic White

50–60%

60–70%

70–80%

80–90%

>90%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 194,515 people, 76,708 households, and 51,765 families residing in the county.

As of the census[27] of 2000, there were 130,802 people, 55,425 households, and 40,016 families residing in the county. The population 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 or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. A total of 5.04% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. 91.1% spoke English, 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the county was $18,321. About 7.10% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those ages 65 or over.

## Economy

[edit]

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 park Airport 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.

* Hernando County Office of Business Development

### Top employers

[edit]

The top employers of Hernando County are as follows:[28]
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 Hernando Distribution center (1,020)

## Transportation

[edit]

### Airports

[edit]

* Brooksville–Tampa Bay Regional Airport (ICAO: KBKV, FAA LID: BKV) serves southeastern Spring Hill, northern Masaryktown, and Garden Grove.

### Mass transit

[edit]

Hernando THE Bus provides bus service in Brooksville and Spring Hill.

### Railroads

[edit]

CSX operates two rail lines within the county. Amtrak formerly provided passenger rail service along the old Seaboard Air Line Railroad line east of US 301 in Ridge Manor, but had no stops in the county, the nearest stops being Dade City on the segment that was originally part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, and its last train on the line, the Palmetto had its Florida service discontinued in late 2004.[29] The other line is the Brooksville Subdivision, which runs close to US 41, and was previously also owned by the Seaboard Air Line. The last train directly serving the county, in Croom, was local Jacksonville - St. Petersburg service in 1955 or 1956 operated by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.[30]

Notable abandoned railroad lines include a former branch of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad spanning from southeast of Ridge Manor through Istachatta that became part of the Withlacoochee State Trail, and a spur of this line from Croom west into Brooksville, which was replaced by a new rail trail called the Good Neighbor Trail. Though originally the Good Neighbor Trail only existed within Brooksville itself, the extension to the Withlacoohee State Trail has existed since 2018.

### Major highways

[edit]

See also: List of county roads in Hernando County, Florida

* 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, including Hudson, New Port Richey, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg, as well as Homosassa and Crystal River to the north.
* US 41 (SR 45 / Broad Street) runs parallel to US 19 through points in the center of the county, including downtown Brooksville, where it intersects with SR 50 and US 98. It is still a primary connecting route with Tampa. Between Brooksville and Garden Grove, US 41 is a six-lane highway, and between Garden Grove and Masaryktown it is a four-lane highway. To the northeast, US 41 runs through part of the Withlacoochee 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 at Ridge 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 with Hillsborough County, where it becomes the Veterans Expressway and heads directly into Tampa International Airport before reaching Interstate 275. SR 589 has four Hernando County exits: County Line Road (Exit 37), Spring Hill Drive (Exit 41), SR 50 (Exit 46), and US 98 (Exit 55).
* SR 50 (Cortez Boulevard) begins at US 19 in Weeki Wachee, runs through Brooksville, and exits into Sumter 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 in Ridge Manor. A significant, well-developed highway in the county, SR 50 originally extended from US 19 to the Gulf Coast at Bayport. This section was given back to the county and is currently CR 550. Currently, S.R. 50 is used as a beeline route from the county to Orlando 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.

## Politics

[edit]

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 since Nixon's 1972 landslide.[31]

### Presidential Elections

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Hernando County, Florida[32] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 75,446  | 67.94% | 34,431  | 31.00%  | 1,175  | 1.06%
2020 | 70,412  | 64.51% | 37,519  | 34.37%  | 1,219  | 1.12%
2016 | 58,970  | 62.30% | 31,795  | 33.59%  | 3,886  | 4.11%
2012 | 44,938  | 53.54% | 37,830  | 45.07%  | 1,160  | 1.38%
2008 | 45,021  | 51.01% | 41,886  | 47.46%  | 1,350  | 1.53%
2004 | 42,635  | 52.93% | 37,187  | 46.17%  | 725  | 0.90%
2000 | 30,658  | 47.00%  | 32,648  | 50.05% | 1,930  | 2.96%
1996 | 22,046  | 37.97%  | 28,524  | 49.12% | 7,496  | 12.91%
1992 | 17,902  | 36.47%  | 19,174  | 39.06% | 12,010  | 24.47%
1988 | 21,195  | 57.50% | 15,437  | 41.88%  | 231  | 0.63%
1984 | 21,279  | 63.54% | 12,204  | 36.44%  | 4  | 0.01%
1980 | 12,115  | 54.99% | 8,858  | 40.21%  | 1,059  | 4.81%
1976 | 5,793  | 42.19%  | 7,717  | 56.20% | 222  | 1.62%
1972 | 6,296  | 74.87% | 2,110  | 25.09%  | 3  | 0.04%
1968 | 2,053  | 34.42%  | 1,524  | 25.55%  | 2,387  | 40.02%
1964 | 2,337  | 50.18% | 2,320  | 49.82%  | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 1,809  | 48.00%  | 1,960  | 52.00% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 1,295  | 47.44%  | 1,435  | 52.56% | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 1,279  | 53.67% | 1,104  | 46.33%  | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 441  | 26.38%  | 825  | 49.34% | 406  | 24.28%
1944 | 346  | 25.67%  | 1,002  | 74.33% | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 381  | 24.87%  | 1,151  | 75.13% | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 313  | 21.92%  | 1,115  | 78.08% | 0  | 0.00%
1932 | 258  | 19.04%  | 1,097  | 80.96% | 0  | 0.00%
1928 | 661  | 47.79%  | 701  | 50.69% | 21  | 1.52%
1924 | 59  | 14.71%  | 300  | 74.81% | 42  | 10.47%
1920 | 132  | 16.14%  | 622  | 76.04% | 64  | 7.82%
1916 | 38  | 6.79%  | 446  | 79.64% | 76  | 13.57%
1912 | 18  | 4.70%  | 272  | 71.02% | 93  | 24.28%
1908 | 57  | 16.81%  | 260  | 76.70% | 22  | 6.49%
1904 | 12  | 5.97%  | 172  | 85.57% | 17  | 8.46%
1900 | 18  | 6.29%  | 252  | 88.11% | 16  | 5.59%
1896 | 37  | 13.31%  | 231  | 83.09% | 10  | 3.60%
1892 | 0  | 0.00%  | 227  | 73.23% | 83  | 26.77%

### Local Government

[edit]

#### Board of County Commissioners

[edit]

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.[33] Specific duties of the county Commissioners are outlined in Chapter 125, Florida Statutes.

Map of the five county commission districts

##### District 1

[edit]

District 1 Elected Officials  Year  | Commissioner  | Party  | Term

|
|
|

2018  | John Mitten  | REP  | June 2018 - 2020[34]
2016  | Nick Nicholson  | REP  | 2016 - June 2018[34]
2012  | Nick Nicholson  | REP  | 2012 - 2016
2008  | Jeff Stabins  | REP  | 2008 - 2012

District 1 Elections Results

Election Year  | Candidates  | Party  | Number of Votes  | Percentage of Votes

|
|
|
|

2016[35] | Nick Nicholson | REP | 49,973 | 52.42%
Jimmy Lodato  | DEM  | 38,934  | 40.84%
Total Votes  | 88,907  |
2012[36] | 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[37] | Jeff Stabins | REP | 47,175 | 57.41%
Ramon J Gurierrez  | DEM  | 34,995  | 42.59%
Total Votes  | 82,170  |

##### District 2

[edit]

District 2 Elected Officials  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

District 2 Elections Results

Election Year  | Candidates  | Party  | Number of Votes  | Percentage of Votes

|
|
|
|

2018[38] | Wayne Dukes | REP | 46,296 | 58.90%
Deborah A Salvesen  | DEM  | 32,304  | 41.10%
Total Votes  | 78,600  |
2014[39] | Wayne Dukes | REP | 30,673 | 49.40%
Jimmy Lodato  | DEM  | 26,996  | 43.47%
Brian Moore  | NPA  | 4,427  | 7.13%
Total Votes  | 62,096  |

##### District 3

[edit]

District 3 Elected Officials  Year  | Commissioner  | Party  | Term

|
|
|

2016  | John Allocco  | REP  | 2016-2020
2012  | Diane Rowden  | DEM  | 2012-2016
2008  | John Druzbick  | REP  | 2008-2012

District 3 Elections Results

Election Year  | Candidates  | Party  | Number of Votes  | Percentage of Votes

|
|
|
|

2016[35] | John Allocco | REP | 52,667 | 55.25%
Diane Rowden  | DEM  | 37,177  | 39.00%
Total Votes  | 89,844  |
2012[36] | 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[37] | John Druzbick | REP | 44,270 | 53.55%
Diane Rowden  | DEM  | 38,404  | 46.45%
Total Votes  | 82,674  |

##### District 4

[edit]

District 4 Elected Officials  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

District 4 Elections Results

Election Year  | Candidates  | Party  | Number of Votes  | Percentage of Votes

|
|
|
|

2018[38] | Jeff Holcomb | REP | 48,864 | 61.90%
Nancy Makar  | DEM  | 30,073  | 38.10%
Total Votes  | 78,937  |
2014[39] | Jeff Holcomb | REP | 33,710 | 54.91%
Daniel T. Oliver  | DEM  | 25,026  | 40.76%
H. David Werder  | NPA  | 2,656  | 4.33%
Total Votes  | 61,392  |

##### District 5

[edit]

District 5 Elected Officials  Year  | Commissioner  | Party  | Term

|
|
|

2016  | Steve Champion  | REP  | 2016-2020
2012  | James E Adkins  | REP  | 2012-2016
2008  | James E Adkins  | REP  | 2008-2012

District 5 Elections Results

Election Year  | Candidates  | Party  | Number of Votes  | Percentage of Votes

|
|
|
|

2016[35] | Steve Champion | REP | 55,892 | 58.63%
Paul Douglas  | DEM  | 32,362  | 33.95%
Total Votes  | 88,254  |
2012[36] | James E Adkins | REP | 44,091 | 56.56%
Ramon J Gutierrez  | DEM  | 33,859  | 43.44%
Total Votes  | 77,950  |
2008[37] | James E. Adkins | REP | 41,796 | 50.81%
Christopher Kingsley  | DEM  | 40,471  | 49.19%
Total Votes  | 82,267  |

#### Constitutional Officers

[edit]

##### Clerk of Court and Comptroller

[edit]

Year  | Officer  | Party  | Term

|
|
|

2020  | Doug Chorvat  | REP  | 2020-2022
2018  | Doug Chorvat  | REP  | 2018-2020
2016  | Donald C. Barbee, Jr.  | REP  | 2016-2018

##### Supervisor Of Elections

[edit]

Year  | Officer  | Party  | Term

|
|
|

2020  | Shirley Anderson  | REP  | 2020-2024
2016[35] | Shirley Anderson  | REP  | 2016-2020
2012[36] | Shirley Anderson  | REP  | 2012-2016
2008[37] | Annie D Williams  | DEM  | 2008-2012

##### Property Appraiser

[edit]

Year  | Officer  | Party  | Term

|
|
|

2016  | John Emerson  | REP  | 2016-2020
2012  | John Emerson  | REP  | 2012-2016

##### Sheriff

[edit]

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[40] | Alvin "Al" Nienhuis  | REP  | 2010-2012
2008  | Richard B Nugent  | REP  | 2008-2010

## Emergency Management

[edit]

### Fire Departments

[edit]

* Brooksville Fire Department
* Hernando County Fire Rescue

### Law Enforcement Agencies

[edit]

* Hernando County Sheriff's Office
* Florida Department of Law Enforcement
* FWC Division of Law Enforcement (State Game Wardens)
* Florida Highway Patrol

### Hospitals

[edit]

* Tampa General Hospital Brooksville (formerly, Brooksville Regional Hospital)
* Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Spring Hill (formerly, HealthSouth)
* HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital (formerly, Oak Hill Hospital)
* Tampa General Hospital Spring Hill (formerly, Spring Hill Regional Hospital)
* Springbrook Behavioral Hospital

## Library

[edit]

The county is served by the Hernando 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. The Florida 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:

* Main Library/Brooksville Branch
* East Hernando Branch
* West Hernando Branch
* Spring Hill Branch

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Brooksville

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Aripeka
* Bayport
* Brookridge
* Garden Grove
* Hernando Beach
* High Point
* Hill 'n Dale
* Istachatta
* Lake Lindsey
* Masaryktown
* Nobleton
* North Brooksville
* North Weeki Wachee
* Pine Island
* Ridge Manor
* South Brooksville
* Spring Hill
* Spring Lake
* Timber Pines
* Weeki Wachee Gardens
* Wiscon

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Croom
* Rolling Acres
* Royal Highlands
* Weeki Wachee

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Hernando County, Florida

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[23][24]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ https://www.hernandobusiness.com/tampa-bay
4. ^ Christie, Les (March 15, 2006). "100 Fastest Growing Counties". CNN.
5. ^ Mahon, John K. (2017). History of the Second Seminole War, 1835-1842 (ePub ed.). Gainesville, FL: LibraryPress@UF. p. 5\. ISBN 978-1-947372-26-9.
6. ^ Landers, Roger R. (2010). "The "Recent Unpleasantness" in Hernando County, Florida: Reconstruction, Redemption, Retrenchment, and Its Legacy". Tampa Bay History. 24 (1): 13. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
7. ^ "About". City of Brooksville. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
8. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 155.
9. ^ Landers 2010, p. 14.
10. ^ Cannon, Jeff (December 11, 2009). "The Brooksville-Bayport Raid and The Civil War in Hernando County". Archived from the original on March 13, 2013. Retrieved February 8, 2010.
11. ^ "Brooksville raid re-enactment to be held today". St. Petersburg Times. www.tampabay.com. January 15, 2011. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
12. ^ Sheppard, Jonathan C. (2004). ""Everyday Soldiers": The Florida Brigade of the West, 1861-1862". Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations: 13–14. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
13. ^ Landers 2010, p. 16.
14. ^ Cotter, Holland (June 1, 2018). "A Memorial to the Lingering Horror of Lynching". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
15. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
16. ^ Chinsegut Hill, Florida (Mountain Peaks.net) Archived February 23, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
17. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
18. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
19. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
20. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
21. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
22. ^ "QuickFacts. Florida counties". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
23. ^ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
24. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
25. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
26. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
27. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
28. ^ http://hernandochamber.com/pages/demographics Her Chamber
29. ^ "St. Petersburg Times". Loss of Amtrak service shouldn't derail Dade City. Retrieved October 29, 2004.
30. ^ "Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, Table 15". Official Guide of the Railways. 88 (4). National Railway Publication Company. September 1955.
31. ^ https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/
32. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
33. ^ "Board of County Commissioners | Hernando County, FL". www.hernandocounty.us. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
34. ^ a b "Woman who says she exchanged sex for rent with Hernando commissioner describes political alliances". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
35. ^ a b c d "ElectionSummaryReport" (PDF). Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
36. ^ a b c d "GEMS ELECTION SUMMARY REPORT" (PDF). Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
37. ^ a b c d "GEMS ELECTION SUMMARY REPORT" (PDF). Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
38. ^ a b "Official Election Summary Report" (PDF). Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
39. ^ a b "GEMS ELECTION SUMMARY REPORT" (PDF). Hernando County Supervisor of Elections. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
40. ^ "Governor appoints Alvin Nienhuis as Hernando County Sheriff". wtsp.com. December 28, 2010. Retrieved September 30, 2020.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hernando County, Florida.

* Tourism Website
* Official website

28°33′N 82°28′W﻿ / ﻿28.55°N 82.47°W﻿ / 28.55; -82.47

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Hernando County, Florida

|  | Citrus County |

|
|

|  |
Gulf of Mexico |

Hernando County, Florida

| Sumter County
|  |
| Pasco County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Hernando County, Florida, United States

County seat: Brooksville

City|

* Brooksville

CDPs|

* Aripeka
* Bayport
* Brookridge
* Garden Grove
* Hernando Beach
* High Point
* Hill 'n Dale
* Istachatta
* Lake Lindsey
* Masaryktown
* Nobleton
* North Brooksville
* North Weeki Wachee
* Pine Island
* Ridge Manor
* South Brooksville
* Spring Hill
* Spring Lake
* Timber Pines
* Weeki Wachee Gardens
* Wiscon

Unincorporated
communities|

* Croom
* Weeki Wachee

* Florida portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Tampa Bay area

Topics|

* Tampa Bay
* Climate
* History
* Media
* Sports
* Tampa International Airport
* Hillsborough County Public Schools
* Pinellas County Schools
* University of South Florida

Central cities|

* Tampa
* St. Petersburg
* Clearwater

Smaller communities|

* Pinellas Park
* Temple Terrace
* Brandon
* Zephyrhills
* Plant City
* Largo
* Dunedin
* Tarpon Springs
* Lutz
* Sun City Center

Counties in MSA|

* Hernando
* Hillsborough
* Pasco
* Pinellas

See also: Florida

* v
* t
* e

Geography of Florida

Natural features|

* Beaches
* Caves
* Everglades (drainage and development)
* Keys
* Lakes
* Lake Okeechobee
* Reef
* Rivers
* Sinkholes
* Springs
* Straits
* Swamps

Regions|

* Big Bend
* region
* coast
* Central Florida
* Emerald Coast
* Everglades
* First Coast
* Forgotten Coast
* Gold Coast
* Halifax area
* Heartland
* Keys
* Nature Coast
* North central Florida
* North Florida
* Panhandle
* South Florida
* Southwest Florida
* Space Coast
* Suncoast
* Tampa Bay Area
* Treasure Coast

Metro areas|

* Cape Coral–Fort Myers
* Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin
* Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach
* Gainesville
* Homosassa Springs
* Jacksonville
* Lakeland–Winter Haven
* Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach
* Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island
* North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton
* Ocala
* Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
* Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville
* Panama City
* Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent
* Port St. Lucie
* Punta Gorda
* Sebastian-Vero Beach
* Sebring
* Tallahassee
* Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
* The Villages

Largest cities|

* Jacksonville
* Miami
* Tampa
* Orlando
* St. Petersburg
* Hialeah
* Port St. Lucie
* Tallahassee
* Cape Coral
* Fort Lauderdale
* Pembroke Pines
* Hollywood
* Gainesville
* Miramar
* Coral Springs
* Palm Bay
* West Palm Beach
* Clearwater
* Lakeland
* Pompano Beach
* Miami Gardens
* Davie

Counties|

* Alachua
* Baker
* Bay
* Bradford
* Brevard
* Broward
* Calhoun
* Charlotte
* Citrus
* Clay
* Collier
* Columbia
* DeSoto
* Dixie
* Duval
* Escambia
* Flagler
* Franklin
* Gadsden
* Gilchrist
* Glades
* Gulf
* Hamilton
* Hardee
* Hendry
* Hernando
* Highlands
* Hillsborough
* Holmes
* Indian River
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Lafayette
* Lake
* Lee
* Leon
* Levy
* Liberty
* Madison
* Manatee
* Marion
* Martin
* Miami‑Dade
* Monroe
* Mosquito (former county)
* Nassau
* Okaloosa
* Okeechobee
* Orange
* Osceola
* Palm Beach
* Pasco
* Pinellas
* Polk
* Putnam
* Santa Rosa
* Sarasota
* Seminole
* St. Johns
* St. Lucie
* Sumter
* Suwannee
* Taylor
* Union
* Volusia
* Wakulla
* Walton
* Washington

Other|

* State forests
* State parks
* Wakulla Volcano

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* Israel

Geographic|

* MusicBrainz area

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
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