Over the last 20 years, the Hernando County economy has increased in size at rate much faster than a majority of the economies in the country. Hernando County is expected to be among the fastest growing county economies in Florida for the next 15 years.

Cost of Living

Affordability: Hernando County has relatively lower cost of living indices than the national averages for grocery items, utilities, healthcare and miscellaneous goods and services.

Housing: In 2004, the Hernando County  median home price of $171,700 was about 6% lower than the state average and about 7% lower than the national average.

Business Starts:

Facts & Figures from the Property Appraiser

• Hernando County was established on February 27, 1843
• Hernando County is the geographical center of Florida.
• Approximately 32% of county land is owned by the government
• Approximately 23% of the county land is agriculturally classified as Greenbelt
• Labor Force of 55,480
• In 2005 the Hernando County Property Appraiser's Office managed 123,074 parcels made up of 112,456 Real Property parcels and 10,618 Tangible Personal Property accounts.
• In 2005, approximately $149 million dollars in Ad Valorem Taxes will be levied based on the 2005 Taxable Value of $7,677,773,361.
• In 2005, approximately 56.7% of the county's general fund will come from ad valorem taxes, which equates to some $55.5 million dollars.
• 2005 preliminary New Construction Just Value is $354,594,058.
• In 2004, sales of Single Family Homes totaled roughly 5,000 with an average sale price of $145,000, up from $111,000 from the prior year.
   

Tax Foundation Background Paper

KPMG Index Ranks Tampa Bay Region 2nd in Low Costs

Economic Presentations:

Economic Outlook for U.S. Tampa Bay and Hernando County

Employment Presentation