Hernando County is located near the Tampa Bay area. It was established in 1843 and was named in honor of Spanish explorer, Hernando de Soto, who is also recognized in the name of Fort DeSoto and DeSoto County. Hernando County was briefly renamed Benton County in 1844 after 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 on because of his decision to support the Missouri Compromise and the overall reversal of his stance on slavery, and the County’s name reverted back to Hernando County in 1850. Fort DeSoto was originally established in present-day Hernando County to protect settlers in the area from Native Americans and later became a small community center, trading post, and way station on the route to Tampa. Hernando County originally included a much larger area of west central Florida than it does today, including portions of Alachua, Hillsborough, and Orange Counties and all of present-day Citrus and Pasco Counties. During the Civil War, Hernando County primarily contributed foodstuffs, cotton, and lumber to the Confederacy, and the skirmish between Union raiders and local Confederates known locally as the Brooksville Raid is reenacted annually in the county. Today, Hernando County is known as Florida’s Adventure Coast, and their freshwater rivers and springs, state forests and preserves, and Gulf waters provide opportunities for many land and water adventures for both tourists and residents year-round.
Home Buyer Information
- Hernando County consists of 18 cities
- The Average Home Listing Price in Hernando County is $159,900
- The Average Home Listing Price Per Square Foot in Hernando County is $106
- The Average Home Selling Price in Hernando County is $169,900
- The Average Home / Apartment Rental Price in Hernando County is $1,295 per month
- The Median Household Income in Hernando County is $42,274 per year
Community Information
- Hernando Sun or Tampa Bay Reporter – everything you need to know about the local Hernando County area news hernandosun.com/ or www.tbreporter.com/hernando-county-news/
- Hernando County Community Information – hernandocounty.us
- Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport – flybkv.com
- Hernando County Property Appraiser – hernandopa-fl.us/pawebsite/
- Hernando County Clerk of Courts – hernandoclerk.com/
- Hernando County Tax Collector – www.hernandocounty.us/tc/
Local School Information
Hernando County Schools aims to fulfill their mission to “effectively prepare all students for a successful transition into a diverse and changing world” every day. Serving more than 22,092 students in their 28 public schools and 763 students in their 6 private schools.
- Hernando County Public Schools – hernandoschools.org
- Hernando County Private Schools – http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/private-schools/parent-info.stml
- Hernando County Charter Schools – http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/charter-schools/charter-school-faqs.stml
- Information About Florida’s School Choice Program – floridaschoolchoice.org
- School Reviews and Information – greatschools.org/florida or www.privateschoolreview.com/florida/brooksville
- Pasco-Hernando State Community College – https://phsc.edu/
Crime Data
- Hernando County Crime Statistics – neighborhoodscout.com/fl/hernando/crime
- Hernando County Interactive Crime Map – https://www.crimemapping.com/map/agency/158
- Hernando County Sheriff’s Office – https://www.hernandosheriff.org/
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement – fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/County-Profiles/Hernando.aspx
- Sexual Offenders and Predators Information – https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/sops/neighborhoodSearch.jsf
Utilities Contact Information
- Progress Energy – 800-700-8744 or progress-energy.com
- Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative – 352-596-4000 or wrec.net
- Bright House Networks / Spectrum Cable and Internet Service – 727-329-5020 or brighthouse.com
- Xfinity Cable and Internet Services – 800-266-2278 or xfinity.com/locations/florida/hernando
- Hernando County Utilities Department (HCUD) – 352-754-4037 or utpay.co.hernando.fl.us/entity/login_main.aspx
- Brooksville Water & Sewer – 352-540-3880 or http://www.ci.brooksville.fl.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=282&Itemid=226
- Peoples Natural Gas / TECO – 877-832-6747 or peoplesgas.com
Shopping
- Coastal Landing Shopping Center – 7151 Coastal Blvd., Brooksville, FL or http://properties.brixmor.com/properties/coastal-way-coastal-landing#overview
- Towne Square Mall – 3021 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL or 352-340-7579 or townesquaremall.net
- Suncoast Crossing – 3101-3167 Aerial Way, Spring Hills, FL or 813-664-4800 or https://www.regencycenters.com/property/detail/60127/SuncoastCrossing
Things To Do
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park – 352-592-5656 or https://weekiwachee.com/
- Buccaneer Bay – 352-592-5656 or https://weekiwachee.com/buccaneer-bay/
- Alfred McKethan / Pine Island Beach Park – 352-754-4031 or https://floridasadventurecoast.com/alfred-mckethan-pine-island-park/
- Brooksville 1885 Train Depot Museum – 352-799-0129 or http://hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/train/index.htm
- Boyett’s Grove and Citrus Attraction – 352-796-2289 or boyettsgrove.com
- Chinsegut Conservation Center – 352-754-6722 or https://myfwc.com/education/outdoor-skills/chinsegut/
- Chinsegut Hill Museum and Retreat – 352-799-5400 or https://chinseguthillretreat.com/
- Little Rock Cannery – 352-799-4226 or https://floridaadventurecoast.com/little-rock-cannery/
- May-Stringer Museum – 352-799-0129 or http://www.hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/index.htm
- Nature Coast Botanical Gardens – 352-683-9933 or naturecoastgardens.com
- Richloam General Store – 800-915-8027 or richloamstore.com
- Roger’s Park – 352-754-4031 or exploreweekiwachee.com/rogers-park
- Sweetfields Farm – 352-279-0977 or sweetfieldsfarm.com
- Linda Pedersen Park – 352-754-4027 or http://floridanaturecoast.org/County/Hernando/PedersenPark/PedersenPark.aspx
- Countryman Family One Room Schoolhouse Museum – 352-597-1064 or http://www.hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/school%20house.htm
- Ghost Tours at May-Stringer House or Train Depot – http://www.hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/ghost_tours.htm
- TreeUmph! Adventure Course – 855-322-2130 or treeumph.com
- Eagles Nest Florida Cave Diving – 7199 Cortez Blvd., Weeki Wachee, FL
- Wildlife Survival Sanctuary – 352-797-4785 or https://www.wildlifesurvival.com/