Spring Hill
RANK #724 / 996 NAT · #13 / 41 FL · POP 196,621
1YR FORECAST: -2.1%
5YR OUTLOOK: +18%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| 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.
At 27/100, Hernando County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $59,202 combined with job growth of +2.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Hernando County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $214,700 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,155/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Hernando County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.4% clip. Home values shifted -3.3% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.66% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Hernando County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.