Hernando County

Home Sweet Home

The county's real estate market is strong, with the sale of single-family homes outpacing all other types of housing. Statistics show the average sale price of an existing two-bedroom home was $53,180; it was $84,927 for an existing three-bedroom home; and $114,324 for an existing four-bedroom home. Residential areas extend from Ridge Manor through Brooksville, the county seat, to Spring Hill, one of the fastest growing Florida communities and on to the coastal towns of Hernando Beach, Pine Island and Aripeka.

Vital Stats

About 32 percent of the county's residents are 65 and older, and 43 percent are under the age of 45. Fifty-two percent of the the residents are female; 48 percent are male. Improvements to the regional highway infrastructure are expected to accelerate an already healthy growth rate.

Population: 127,227
Median age: 51.2
New citizens: 3,580 yearly
New job creation: 4.8 percent (1999)
Unemployment rate: 3.1 percent in August, 1999
Cost of living: 95.04 percent (national average=100 percent)
Per capita income: $19,109
Median household effective buying income: $27,532

Rain & Shine

In January, the average temperature is 59 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit; in August it's 81. Almost 56 inches of rain is the yearly average; late afternoon thunder showers are the rule rather than the exception in the summertime, often arriving just in time to counter the sun's heat and cool things off a bit.

Job Market

Major economic forces include health care, tourism, electronics, mining and minerals, agriculture, construction, retail trade, banking, education, local government, insurance and real estate. The government and school district employ over 5,000 workers. Private sector employers with the largest workforces include Wal-Mart Distribution Center (920), Oak Hill Hospital (780), Regional Health Care (763), Sparton Electronics (487), SunTrust Bank (308), Weeki-Wachee Springs (761) and Evergreen Woods, Inc (160).

Class Notes

Extensive information about the schools in this area is online at the state's Department of Education (http://www.firn.edu/doe/doehome.htm). There you'll discover everything you'll need to know about Florida schools -- in general and in particular. All you need is the name of your county and the names of the schools that students from your neighborhood attend.

Use links from the DOE home page for general information about entrance requirements, immunizations and so forth.

For the nitty-gritty details that really matter, click on the logo for the "Florida School Indicators Report."

Getting Around

By 2001, the county will be linked to its neighbor to the south, the massive Tampa Bay metropolitan area, by the Suncoast Parkway, which will make commuting from the urban center to Hernando County communities even faster and easier than it is now. Currently Interstate 75 connects with Interstate 4 to the south and with Florida's Turnpike to the north; U.S. Hwy. 19 runs north and south close to the coast; and State Road 50 carries east/west traffic through Orlando and to the east coast beyond. U.S. Hwy. 41 runs north and south on the eastern edge of the county and is an easy route to the Tampa area.The 7,000-foot concrete and lighted runway of the Hernando County Airport offers charter and executive service. Commercial carriers fly to and from Tampa International Airport, less than an hour away, and the Orlando International Airport, about an hour-and-a-half away. Freight comes into Hernando County Airport via Fedex and UPS on a regular schedule. The county is also served by CXS, which brings freight in by rail. Trucking impacts the area's transportation of goods and its supply of jobs. Commercial Carrier Corp., a trucking concern, employs 145 local workers.

Great Outdoors

Recreational opportunities abound in Hernando County. The Gulf of Mexico offers countless opportunities for sailing, wind surfing, fishing and scuba diving. Freshwater swimming, snorkeling, canoeing and fishing are available at either the Withalacoochee River, the Chashowitzka River or the cool crystal clear Weeki Wachee River. Numerous lakes good for fishing are scattered throughout the county, and hunting is available in the Withalacoochee State Forest and the Croom Management Distric in northeast Hernando.

The Nature Coast shelters a myriad of plants and animals native to Florida, including the endangered black bear, bald eagles, blue herons, storks, alligators and abundant, lush foliage. The Weeki Wachee spring has a flow of 100,000 gallons of water a minute; divers have explored the spring to a depth of 550 feet without finding the bottom. The waters flow down the Weeki Wachee River to the Gulf of Mexico. The Withalacoochee River is virtually unpolluted and meanders through cypress swamps, pine forest and marshes, taking its color from the tannic acid given off by the waterlogged cypress. Occasionally, you may see a turtle sunning on a log. During winter the river is a safe haven for many migratory waterfowl. It flows 157 miles from its headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico.

There is a vast difference between the west side of the county and the east side. The west side -- Hernando Beach, Aripeka, Bayport and Pine Island -- offers a slow-paced, casual coastal lifestyle. Spring Hill, only a few miles east, is growing rapidly, with people arriving from all over the country. Brooksville, the county seat, has a Southern flavor. A few miles farther east the atmosphere is ideal for the gentleman farmer. The landscape includes horse farms and homes on acreage sheltered under majestic oak trees. The diversity of the county is amazing.

Good Sports

Hiking, bicycle riding and horseback riding trails are plentiful. The Croom horse trail winds through the Withalacoochee State Forest; the Withalacoochee State Trail is 47 miles through forest and farms; the Richloam Riding Trail is 30-plus miles; the Colonel Robbins Nature Trail is 2.5 miles; and the McKethan Nature Trail is 2 miles. In addition, there are excellent public beaches and parks, including Bayport Park on the Gulf of Mexico, Rogers Park on the Weeki Wachee River, Hernando Beach Park and the Weeki Wachee Nature Preserve. Also popular are dirt-bike riding, motocross, motorcycling and all-terrain vehicle riding. The 20,000-plus acres of the Croom Tract -- located near I-75 and State Road 50 -- can accommodate these sports. Fifteen semi-private and public golf courses make Hernando County a golfers paradise. Spring Hill is home to the 20-acre Hernando County YMCA complex, which has a covered pool and offers a full schedule of classes and activities.

Local Flavor

There are many huge, majestic live oak trees in the county, and they form a canopy over the brick streets in Brooksville. Restored Southern plantation homes and the rolling hills of Brooksville are an unexpected surprise and give a flavor of country charm. For history buffs, there's a Heritage Museum and the 100-year-old architectural style of the Chinsegut House.

The Brooksville raid of Civil War history is re-enacted once a year in January. Other notable festivals held in the area include the Heritage Days Festival in February; Weeki Wachee Swamp Festival and the Hernando County Fair in March; the Masaryktown Arts Fest in May; Freedom Fest in July; the Weeki Wachee River Raft & Tube Regatta in September; the Pumpkin Festival and Spring Hill Art Festival in October; and, in December, the Brooksville Christmas Tour of Yesteryear and the Hernando County Christmas Parade.

Shop 'til You Drop

Specialty stores and antique shops are located in historic Brooksville, many housed in restored country mansions. Shopping centers are scattered throughout the county, including a 200,000-square-foot Super Center and a variety of stores ranging from quaint, locally owned boutiques to major regional and national retailers.

Entertainment

The community-based 63-piece Hernando Symphony Orchestra, the Spring Hill Art League, Stage West Community Playhouse, the Hernando Broadway Series and the Community Performing Arts Series entertain many with a variety of performances, activities and classes. A barbershop group, the Hernando Hills Hit-Lites of Harmony and the New Nostalgics, who specialize in popular music, provide performing experience for some and entertainment for others.

Health

Three hospitals in Hernando County, plus a variety of clinics and day-surgery centers, offer state-of-the art equipment, highly trained specialists, community services and several hundred primary-care physicians to respond to the healthcare needs of local residents.

Just for Seniors

The Hernando Council of Senior Citizens and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) are headquartered in Brooksville. As with many Florida seniors who are physically able, Hernando seniors are active in community work, churches and charities. Some give help; others receive it. For those in need of assistance or referrals, Mid-Florida Community Services has programs to provide energy assistance, food, shelter and medications. Respite care, home-delivered meals, congregate meals, homemaking and personal care are also facilitated from this location. For more information call the Elder Helpline at 352/796-0485.