RANK #979 / 996 · POP 196,621 · FL
PROJECTED GROWTH: -4.3%
Hernando County, Florida, often called "Florida's Adventure Coast," is distinguished by its natural springs and extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. Located on Florida's central-west coast, roughly 45 minutes north of Tampa, the county offers a quieter, more suburban feel compared to its bustling southern neighbor. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, famous for its mermaid shows since 1947, is a notable landmark. The county boasts numerous parks, preserves, and state lands, including portions of the Withlacoochee State Forest, providing trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Kayaking and paddling are popular on the Weeki Wachee River and at Jenkins Creek Park, where manatees and sea turtles can be observed.
Life in Hernando County appeals to a mix of families and retirees, drawn by the natural surroundings and a less congested environment. Public transportation, known as "TheBus," offers fixed routes and ADA-compliant services, with recent expansions to coastal areas like Pine Island Park. The local economy is seeing investment in commercial and residential development, as well as in sectors like aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, and logistics. The Brooksville–Tampa Bay Regional Airport & Technology Center is a focus for economic growth, with ongoing infrastructure projects aimed at attracting businesses and creating jobs.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Housing looks overvalued at 7.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cabot Citrus Farms (Golf Resort)
Cabot
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
Rattler Solar Plant
Duke Energy Florida, LLC & Florida A&M University
|
$75M | Under Construction |
|
Amazon Last-Mile Warehouse
Amazon
|
$40M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hernando County has a Boom Town Index score of 2/100, ranking #979 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.4% and a median household income of $59,202, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Hernando County is $214,700 with median rent at $1,155/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2757, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +2.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.4%. Home values changed -3.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.66% of Hernando County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.