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Hernando Profile
Hernando County originally embraced Pasco and Citrus Counties.
It was created by
the Territorial Legislature in 1843 and named for
Hernando DeSoto.
In 1844 the
name was changed to Benton County, in honor of
Senator Thomas Hart Benton of
Missouri, but his moderation during the Missouri Compromise caused extremists in
the legislature to change the name back to Hernando.
DeSoto, now Brooksville was
the first county seat. The present boundaries of the county were set in 1887.
History
Hernando County was established on
February 27th, 1843, and named in honor of Spanish Explorer Hernando De Soto,
who had led an
expedition through the county in 1539. On March 3, 1845 the second session of
the 28th Congress of the United States, approved Florida statehood.
Present day Hernando County covers approximately 506 sq. miles of area including
the cities of Brooksville and Weeki Wachee. Unincorporated areas include Spring
Hill, Ridge Manor, Ridge Manor West, Bayport, Aripeka, Lake Lindsey and Hernando
Beach. The county stretches 37 miles from East to West and 18 miles from North
to South. It is bounded on the west by the Gulf of Mexico and on the north by
the Chassahowitzka Swamp and the Withlacoochee State Forrest.
The 2000 Census enumerated a
population of 130, 803 for Hernando County and is current estimates have the
population at 163,384 and growing. Unincorporated Spring Hill in the
southwest, is the largest Hernando County community with a population of 70,000
to 85,000 depending on where boundaries are drawn. The City of Brooksville, the
county seat, population 7,279, is rich in history and traditions. The only
other city within Hernando County is Weeki Wachee, population 8, which
incorporated many decades ago to appear on Florida maps in promotion of the
Buccaneer Bay/Weeki Wachee Resort 's "City of Mermaids".
Directions
to our office
Maps
of Hernando County
Naturally
Hernando: Hernando County Tourist Development
FL
Legislatures Office of Demographics and Research - County Profiles
|
 |
County
Demographics
| |
Population |
% |
Date of Estimate |
|
City of Brooksville |
7,322 |
4.4% |
4/1/2006 |
|
City of Weeki Wachee |
8 |
0.0% |
4/1/2006 |
|
Unincorporated Hernando County |
157,752 |
95.6% |
9/30/2006 |
|
Hernando County Total |
165,082
|
100.0% |
9/30/2006 |
|
|
|
Spring Hill
CDP*
(map) |
91,217 |
55.3% |
9/30/2006 |
|
Brooksville Urbanized Area
(map) |
126,536 |
75.6% |
3/31/2006 |
|
Permanent Households |
69,381 |
100.0% |
9/30/2006 |
|
Persons Per Household |
2.32 |
|
4/1/2005 |
| |
|
Male |
78,849 |
47.76% |
9/30/2006 |
|
Female |
86,233 |
52.24% |
9/30/2006 |
|
Hernando County Total |
165,082
|
100.0% |
9/30/2006 |
|
|
|
Labor Force |
59,328 |
100.00% |
JULY 2006 |
|
Employed |
56,780 |
95.7% |
JULY 2006 |
|
Unemployed |
2,548 |
4.3% |
JULY 2006 |
|
Public School Enrollment K-12 |
22,172 |
100.00% |
SEP 2006 |
|
Median Household Income |
$38,257 |
--- |
2005 Estimate |
|
Per Person Income |
$25,189 |
--- |
2004 Tax Year |
|
Average Annual Wage |
$29,052 |
--- |
4th Qtr 2005 |
 |
