New Port Richey
RANK #948 / 996 NAT · #37 / 41 FL · POP 569,211
1YR FORECAST: -2.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +8%
Known for its extensive natural landscapes, Pasco County, Florida, offers a blend of coastal access and inland wilderness. Located just north of Tampa, it provides a quieter alternative to the nearby city, with a commute of about 30 miles. The county features 20 miles of shoreline, including barrier islands with beaches, and numerous parks and preserves like Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park and Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park. These areas provide opportunities for hiking, biking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. Towns like New Port Richey offer a historic riverfront feel, while Zephyrhills is known for its spring water and skydiving.
Pasco County's quality of life attracts families, retirees, and remote workers seeking a balance of natural beauty and suburban amenities. The public school system serves over 85,000 students across more than 100 schools. While many residents historically commuted to Tampa or St. Petersburg, the local economy is expanding. Recent developments include growth in commercial and residential sectors, as well as investments in industrial, logistics, and manufacturing. The county also has a public transportation system, GoPasco, offering fixed bus routes and paratransit services.
Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Housing looks overvalued at 7.1x — 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 →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Double Branch Master-Planned Development (formerly Pasco Town Center)
Columnar Holdings
|
$600M | Under Construction |
|
Shady Hills Combined Cycle Facility Project (573 MW)
Shady Hills Energy Center, LLC (Seminole Electric Cooperative, Inc.)
|
$573M | Operating |
|
Amazon Robotic Sortation Center (ARSC)
Amazon
|
$150M | Under Construction |
|
Solar Farm Portfolio (Mountain View & Juniper Solar)
Tampa Electric Co.
|
$125M | Operating |
|
MiTek Manufacturing Facility
MiTek
|
$80M | Planned |
|
Target Fulfillment Center
Target Corporate Office (NorthPoint Development)
|
$60M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Pasco County scores just 4/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #948 of 996 counties. Job growth at +3.1% and median household income of $63,187 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Pasco County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $233,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.27, with rents averaging $1,282/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Pasco County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.2% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.1% clip. Home values shifted -4.7% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.18% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Pasco County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.