Citrus County, Florida

{{Short description|County in Florida, United States}} {{About|the Florida county|the 2010 novel by John Brandon|Citrus County (novel)}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Citrus County | state = Florida | seal = Seal of Citrus County, Florida.png | coordinates = {{Coord|28.85|-82.52|display=inline,title|type:adm2nd_region:US-FL_source:UScensus1990}} | founded year = 1887 | founded date = June 2 | seat wl = Inverness | largest city wl = Homosassa Springs | city type = community | area_total_sq_mi = 773 | area_land_sq_mi = 582 | area_water_sq_mi = 192 | area percentage = 24.8% | census yr = 2020 | pop = 153843 | density_sq_mi = auto | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 171666 {{Increase}} | web = https://www.citruscounty.gov/ | ex image = Citrus Cty Crths Inverness01.jpg | ex image cap = [[Old Citrus County Courthouse]] | district = 12th | time zone = Eastern | named for = [[Citrus]] trees (previously a major industry in the county) | ZIP codes = 34446, 34442, 34465 and 34461 | area codes = 352 }}

'''Citrus County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located on the northwest central coast of the [[State (United States of America)|U.S. state]] of [[Florida]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 153,843.<ref name="USCensus2020"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Inverness, Florida|Inverness]],<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> and its largest community is [[Homosassa Springs, Florida|Homosassa Springs]]. Citrus County comprises the Homosassa Springs, Florida [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2023 |title=Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Guidance on the Uses of the Delineations of These Areas |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf |access-date=July 21, 2023 |website=Executive Office of the President |page=56}}</ref>

==History== The area covered by present-day Citrus County is thought to have been first occupied at least 10,000 years ago. About 2,500 years ago, mound-building Native Americans settled in the area and built the complex that now forms the [[Crystal River Archaeological State Park|Crystal River Archeological Site]]. The site was occupied for about 2,000 years. Why the complex was abandoned is currently unknown.<ref>[http://www.crystalriverstateparks.org/CrystalRiv3.html Crystal River State Archaeological Site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604003135/http://www.crystalriverstateparks.org/CrystalRiv3.html |date=June 4, 2009 }}</ref>

Citrus County was created in 1887. The Citrus County area was formerly part of Hernando County. It was named for the county's citrus groves.<ref>{{cite book|title=Publications of the Florida Historical Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WZQ-AAAAYAAJ&pg=RA2-PA30|year=1908|publisher=Florida Historical Society|page=30}}</ref> Citrus production declined dramatically after [[Great Freeze|the "Big Freeze" of 1894-1895]]: today, citrus is grown on one large grove, Bellamy Grove; additionally, some residents have citrus trees on their personal property.

After the Big Freeze the next major industry was [[phosphate]] mining, which continued until World War I. Planned industrial development surrounding the construction of the [[Cross Florida Barge Canal]] never came to fruition when the partially-built canal was terminated after environmental opposition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.citrusbocc.com/aboutus/history.htm|title=Citrus County - A Little History|website=www.citrusbocc.com|access-date=June 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160824232200/http://www.citrusbocc.com/aboutus/history.htm|archive-date=August 24, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> A later attempt to create a port ('''Port Citrus''') from the portion of the canal that was completed resulted in no significant progress and the county voted in 2015 to scuttle the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://citrustimesonline.com/port-citrus-scuttled-2/2015/01/31/.html|title=Port Citrus Scuttled|date=February 1, 2015|website=citrustimesonline.com|access-date=June 7, 2016|archive-date=April 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402231112/http://citrustimesonline.com/port-citrus-scuttled-2/2015/01/31/.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The original Citrus County seat was [[Mannfield, Florida|Mannfield]] (incorrectly spelled Mansfield or Mannsfeld in some sources). The county seat was later moved to [[Inverness, Florida|Inverness]]; only a street and a pond remain of the original county seat town.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usgennet.org/usa/fl/county/citrus/|title=Citrus County Florida INDEPENDENT History & Genealogy Page|website=www.usgennet.org|access-date=May 25, 2009|archive-date=August 3, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090803103731/http://www.usgennet.org/usa/fl/county/citrus/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The first library in Citrus County was founded in 1917 in [[Inverness, Florida|Inverness]]. Other branches opened in [[Floral City, Florida|Floral City]] in 1958, and [[Hernando County, Florida|Hernando]] in 1959, as well as the freestanding [[Crystal River, Florida|Crystal River]] and Homosassa Libraries. These libraries joined to create the Central Florida Library System in 1961. Beverly Hills Library opened in 1970 and joined the Central Florida Library System.<ref name="digital.lib.usf.edu">{{cite web|url=http://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0000153/00001|title=Citrus County Library|website=digital.lib.usf.edu|access-date=April 17, 2015|archive-date=May 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524034429/http://digital.lib.usf.edu/SFS0000153/00001|url-status=dead}}</ref> A Special Library Taxing District was created by the voters in March 1984.<ref name="digital.lib.usf.edu"/> In October 1987, the Citrus County Library System was established which allowed the county residents to administer their own system.<ref name="digital.lib.usf.edu"/> [[File:WST Great Train Wreck of 1956(Pineola, Florida).jpg|200px|right|thumb|Sign on the [[Withlacoochee State Trail]] marking the site of the "Great Train Wreck of 1956" at [[Pineola, Florida]].]]

Over 100 people and 50 pets were rescued after ten feet of storm surge hit the area during [[Hurricane Helene]] in September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Suter |first1=Ashley |last2=Rousseau |first2=Beth |date=September 27, 2024 |title=More than 100 residents rescued in Citrus County amid 10 feet of floodwaters |url=https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/citrus-county/more-than-100-residents-rescued-in-citrus-county-amid-10-feet-of-floodwaters/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=WFLA |archive-date=September 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928031935/https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news/citrus-county/more-than-100-residents-rescued-in-citrus-county-amid-10-feet-of-floodwaters/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Geography== According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|773|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|582|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|192|sqmi}} (24.8%) is water. It is considered to be part of the [[Nature Coast]] of Florida.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

There are a number of uninhabited and/or sparsely inhabited coastal islands that can be accessed via watercraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baynews9.com/images/hurricane/CitrusEvac.jpg |title=Hurricane Evacuation Routes-Citrus County |access-date=February 2, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216110111/http://www.baynews9.com/images/hurricane/CitrusEvac.jpg |archive-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref> While some of the Citrus County islands are state lands thus available for public use for recreational opportunities, many other Citrus County islands are private property and are either wholly or partially owned by private parties.<ref>http://gis.pa.citrus.fl.us/website/ccpa%5Fapp/viewer.htm?Title=ArcIMS%20HTML%20Viewer{{dead link|date=March 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Adjacent counties=== * [[Levy County, Florida|Levy County]] - northwest * [[Marion County, Florida|Marion County]] - northeast * [[Sumter County, Florida|Sumter County]] - east * [[Hernando County, Florida|Hernando County]] - south

===National protected areas=== * [[Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge]] (part) * [[Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge]]

===Fauna=== According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service's aerial [[manatee]] surveys, as many as 400 of these unique creatures can be found in Citrus County at one time. This typically occurs only during the coldest months of the year.

Manatees can also be viewed in the underwater observatory at [[Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park]]. Most of the park's residents are injured animals either undergoing rehabilitation for future release to the wild, or will be permanent due to their inability to be released to the wild.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings/default.cfm|title=Florida State Parks|website=www.floridastateparks.org|access-date=March 6, 2009|archive-date=March 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090301210857/http://www.floridastateparks.org/homosassasprings/default.cfm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The notable exception is Lucifer, an African hippopotamus that had prior movie roles. When a permanent home could not be found for Lucifer, then-Governor [[Lawton Chiles]] named him an "honorary citizen of the state" thus allowing him to remain at the Park.<ref>[http://www.floridaenvironment.com/programs/fe10101.htm Florida Places, Homosassa Springs: Florida Environment Radio] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081120015534/http://www.floridaenvironment.com/programs/fe10101.htm |date=November 20, 2008 }}</ref>

==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1890 = 2394 | 1900 = 5391 | 1910 = 6731 | 1920 = 5220 | 1930 = 5516 | 1940 = 5846 | 1950 = 6111 | 1960 = 9268 | 1970 = 19196 | 1980 = 54703 | 1990 = 93515 | 2000 = 118085 | 2010 = 141236 | 2020 = 153843 | estyear = 2025 | estimate = 171666 | estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 6, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}} | align-fn = center | footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 13, 2014}}</ref><ref name="USCensus2020">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/citruscountyflorida/POP010220#POP010220|access-date=November 6, 2021|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Citrus County, Florida }}</ref> 1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=June 13, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/fl190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 13, 2014}}</ref> 1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 13, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2015<ref name="USCensus2020" /> | align = right }}

===2020 census=== As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 153,843 people, 69,438 households, and 40,063 families residing in the county. The median age was 57.9 years. 14.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 37.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.1 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A017&in=state%3A12|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 26, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

The racial makeup of the county was 87.5% [[White Americans|White]], 2.7% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.4% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 1.6% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], <0.1% [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander|Pacific Islander]], 1.5% from some other race, and 6.3% from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] residents of any race comprised 6.0% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A017&in=state%3A12|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 26, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

75.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 25.0% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A017&in=state%3A12|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 26, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 69,438 households in the county, of which 17.6% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 48.7% were married-couple households, 17.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 81,687 housing units, of which 15.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 82.1% were owner-occupied and 17.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.0%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Citrus County, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 1980<ref>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1980 U.S. Census - General Population Characteristics - Table 16 Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date=1980 |url= https://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1980a_flABCs1-02.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> !Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web|first= |last= |authorlink= |title= 1990 U.S. Census - Social and Economic Characteristics - Table 6. Race and Hispanic Origin: 1990 |website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|date=1980 |url= https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-2/cp-2-11-1.pdf |accessdate=|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Citrus County, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US12017&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Citrus County, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US12017&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Citrus County, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US12017&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH) |51,971 |88,963 |109,828 |126,549 |style='background: #ffffe6; |131,477 |95.01% |95.13% |93.01% |89.60% |style='background: #ffffe6; |85.46% |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH) |1,754 |2,170 |2,712 |3,767 |style='background: #ffffe6; |3,891 |3.21% |2.32% |2.30% |2.67% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.53% |- |[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH) |73 |274 |389 |418 |style='background: #ffffe6; |466 |0.13% |0.29% |0.33% |0.30% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30% |- |[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH) |122 |386 |886 |1,979 |style='background: #ffffe6; |2,412 |0.22% |0.41% |0.75% |1.40% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.57% |- |[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH) |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref> |29 |33 |style='background: #ffffe6; |43 |x |x |0.02% |0.02% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.03% |- |[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH) |18 |20 |45 |129 |style='background: #ffffe6; |517 |0.03% |0.02% |0.04% |0.09% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.34% |- |[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH) |x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref> |1,055 |1,777 |style='background: #ffffe6; |5,796 |x |x |0.89% |1.26% |style='background: #ffffe6; |3.77% |- |[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |765 |1,702 |3,141 |6,584 |style='background: #ffffe6; |9,241 |1.40% |1.82% |2.66% |4.66% |style='background: #ffffe6; |6.01% |- |'''Total''' |'''54,703''' |'''93,515''' |'''118,085''' |'''141,236''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''153,843 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

[[File:2023_Racial_Demographics_in_Citrus_County_by_Census_tract.svg|thumb|A map of the 2023 racial demographics in Citrus County, Florida by Census tract{{Collapsible list | title = Legend|{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}

'''Non-Hispanic White''' {{legend|#d02923|70–80%}} {{legend|#b00600|80–90%}} {{legend|#850400|>90%}} {{col-end}} }}]]

===2000 census=== As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2000, 118,085 people, 52,634 households, and 36,317 families resided in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|78|/km2}}. The 62,204 housing units averaged {{convert|41|/km2}}. The [[race (U.S. census)|racial makeup]] of the county was 95.05% White, 2.36% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 0.76% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. About 2.66% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

Of the 52,634 households, 19% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 7.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31% were not families. About 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.60.

In the county, the population was distributed as 17.20% under the age of 18, 4.60% from 18 to 24, 19.10% from 25 to 44, 26.90% from 45 to 64, and 32.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 53 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.60 males. ==Economy== ===Personal income=== {{unreferenced section|date=October 2024}} The median income for a household in the county was $31,001, and for a family was $36,711. Males had a median income of $28,091 versus $21,408 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,585. Around 11.70% of the population and 8.50% of families were below the [[poverty line]]; 18.10% of those under the age of 18 and 7.00% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

===Labor=== More than one-third of residents were senior citizens in 2014. Health care dominates the work force.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/flas-gray-belt-glimpse-nations-future-25513833 |title='Gray belt' glimpse at future |access-date=September 20, 2014 |author=Mike Schneider |date=September 16, 2014 |work=Florida Today |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140920225507/http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/flas-gray-belt-glimpse-nations-future-25513833 |archive-date=September 20, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Transportation== {{Incomplete list|date=April 2009}}

===Airports=== * Citrus County is served by two local airports, [[Crystal River Airport]] and [[Inverness Airport (Florida)|Inverness Airport]].

===Railroads=== One rail line operates within the county: A freight line to the [[Crystal River Energy Complex]] in northern Citrus County. Other lines that used to run through Citrus were either converted into rail trails such as the Cross Town Trail in Crystal River and [[Withlacoochee State Trail]] in eastern Citrus County or abandoned.

===Major roads=== {{See also|List of county roads in Citrus County, Florida}} * {{Jct|state=FL|Toll|589|name1=''[[Suncoast Parkway]]''}} runs north to south due to the recent expansion of the Suncoast Parkway from Hernando County (N.B. the Suncoast Parkway is considered incomplete; there are plans for it to extend through northern and northwestern Citrus County and head into Red Level.) * {{Jct|state=FL|US|19|name1=[[SR 55 (FL)|SR 55]]/''Suncoast Boulevard''}} is the main local road through western Citrus County, running south to north. * {{Jct|state=FL|US|41|name1=[[SR 45 (FL)|SR 45]]/''Florida Avenue''}} is the main local road through eastern Citrus County, running south to north. North of CR 48 in Floral City, the road is also shared by the DeSoto Trail. * {{Jct|state=FL|US|98|name1=[[SR 700 (FL)|SR 700]]/''Ponce de Leon Boulevard''}} runs northwest to southeast from [[Hernando County, Florida]], and joins US 19 in [[Chassahowitzka, Florida|Chassahowitzka]] on its way to [[Perry, Florida|Perry]]. * {{Jct|state=FL|SR|44|name1=''Gulf-to-Lake Highway''}} runs east and west through the northern part of the county from [[Crystal River, Florida|Crystal River]] into [[Sumter County, Florida|Sumter County]]. A county extension south of the western terminus runs into Fort Island. * {{Jct|state=FL|CR|48|county1=Citrus}} runs mostly east and west through Southeastern Citrus County. It spans from US 41 Floral City winding southeast along the [[Withlacoochee River (Florida)|Withlacoochee River]], which it eventually crosses on the way to Bushnell and Center Hill in [[Sumter County, Florida|Sumter County]], and Howey-in-the Hills in [[Lake County, Florida|Lake County]]. The segment in Bushnell between I-75 (Exit 314) and US 301 was a state road until the end of 2016. Throughout Citrus County, County Road 48 is also shared by the DeSoto Trail. * {{Jct|state=FL|CR|480|county1=Citrus}} is the southernmost county road in Citrus County. It runs east and west from [[Chassahowitzka, Florida|Chassahowitzka]] with a short concurrency with US 98, then through the [[Withlacoochee State Forest]] where it eventually terminates at US 41 in Floral City, south of CR 48. * {{Jct|state=FL|CR|490|county1=Citrus}} runs east and west from the [[Gulf of Mexico]] along the south side of the [[Homosassa River]] until it briefly joins US 19–98 in downtown [[Homosassa Springs, Florida|Homosassa Springs]] only to head northeast towards SR 44 in Lecanto. * {{Jct|state=FL|CR|491|county1=Citrus|name1=Lecanto Highway}}: A Bi-County road that begins in unincorporated northwestern Hernando County, then runs north and south along the western side of the Withlacoochee State Forest, and into Lecanto and Beverly Hills where it curves east in northern Citrus County and crosses US 41 in Holder, only to terminate at SR 200 near the Citrus-Marion County Line. * {{Jct|state=FL|CR|581|county1=Citrus}}: Runs north and south along the eastern side of the Withlacoochee State Forest from County Road 481 in Lake Lindsey, into Inverness where it joins SR 44 east towards US 41, only to branch off on its own as a dead end street on the banks of the Withlacoochee River.

==Communities== ===Cities=== * [[Crystal River, Florida|Crystal River]] * [[Inverness, Florida|Inverness]]

===Census-designated places=== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * [[Beverly Hills, Florida|Beverly Hills]] * [[Black Diamond, Florida|Black Diamond]] * [[Citrus Hills, Florida|Citrus Hills]] * [[Citrus Springs, Florida|Citrus Springs]] * [[Floral City, Florida|Floral City]] * [[Hernando, Florida|Hernando]] * [[Homosassa, Florida|Homosassa]] * [[Homosassa Springs, Florida|Homosassa Springs]] * [[Inverness Highlands North, Florida|Inverness Highlands North]] * [[Inverness Highlands South, Florida|Inverness Highlands South]] * [[Lecanto, Florida|Lecanto]] * [[Pine Ridge, Citrus County, Florida|Pine Ridge]] * [[Sugarmill Woods, Florida|Sugarmill Woods]] {{div col end}}

===Other unincorporated communities=== {{div col}} * [[Chassahowitzka, Florida|Chassahowitzka]] * [[Holder, Florida|Holder]] * [[Meadowcrest, Florida|Meadowcrest]] * [[Pineola, Florida|Pineola]] * [[Red Level, Florida|Red Level]] {{div col end}}

===Former towns=== * [[Mannfield, Florida|Mannfield]] (original county seat, now a [[ghost town]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/fl/mansfield.html|title=Mannfield - Ghost Town|website=www.ghosttowns.com}}</ref> * [[Orleans, Florida|Orleans]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/fl/orleans.html|title=Orleans - Ghost Town|website=www.ghosttowns.com}}</ref> * [[Stage Pond, Florida|Stage Pond]] (Cemetery still remains)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/fl/stagepond.html|title=Stage Pond - Ghost Town|website=www.ghosttowns.com}}</ref> * [[Arlington, Citrus County, Florida|Arlington]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/fl/arlington.html|title=Arlington - Ghost Town|website=www.ghosttowns.com}}</ref> * [[Fairmount, Florida|Fairmount]] (town site is now Meadowcrest Industrial Park)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/fl/fairmount.html|title=Fairmount - Ghost Town|website=www.ghosttowns.com}}</ref>

==Government== ===Citrus County Fire and Rescue=== [[File:Citrus County, Florida Fire Department Emblem.jpg|thumb|Citrus County Fire and Rescue emblem]] Citrus County Fire and Rescue first began serving the community in 1974.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Citrus County Board, FL |url=https://www.citruscounty.gov/departments/fire_rescue/about_us/ |access-date=2026-04-29 |website=www.citruscounty.gov |language=en}}</ref>

In 2025, Citrus County Fire and Rescue (CCFR) received over $2 million in grants from the [[United States Department of Homeland Security|Department of Homeland Security]] and [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]], in order to expand their hiring and upgrade their equipment.<ref name="x453">{{cite web | last=Harrell | first=Scott | title=Citrus County Fire Rescue Receives Grants for Hiring, Equipment Upgrades | website=352today - Local News, Weather & Events in Ocala, FL | date=October 5, 2025 | url=https://352today.com/news/257752-citrus-county-fire-rescue-receives-grants-for-hiring-equipment-upgrades/ | access-date=October 6, 2025}}</ref>

===Libraries=== [[File:Central Ridge Library bldg. front 2026.jpg|thumb|Central Ridge Library (Beverly Hills)]]

Libraries within Citrus County were originally separate and overseen by different local organizations. In 1961, the libraries of Crystal River, Floral City, Hernando, Homosassa, and Inverness joined the Central Florida Regional Library System along with Levy and Marion Counties. The Citrus County Library System was established on October 1, 1987.<ref>{{Cite web|last=vickyleon|title=History of the Citrus County Library System|url=https://www.citruslibraries.org/about-us/about-the-library/library-history/|access-date=September 29, 2021|website=Citrus Libraries|language=en-US}}</ref> In 1996, the libraries became connected to the Internet and were able to access online resources and materials.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leon |first=Victoria |title=History of the Citrus County Library System |url=https://www.citruslibraries.org/about-us/about-the-library/library-history/ |access-date=2026-04-28 |website=Citrus Libraries |language=en-US}}</ref>

There are five branches of the Citrus County Library System:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.citruslibraries.org/|title=Techedu – Home 3|website=Citrus Libraries}}</ref> * Beverly Hills (Central Ridge) * Crystal River (Coastal Region) * Floral City * Homosassa * Inverness (Lakes Region)

===Elections=== ====Voter registration==== According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans comprise a majority of registered voters in Citrus County. {| class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 | Citrus County Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of November 6, 2021<ref>{{Cite web|title=Home|url=https://www.votecitrus.com|access-date=November 6, 2021|website=www.votecitrus.com}}</ref> |- ! colspan = 2 | Political party ! Total voters ! Percentage |- | {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}} | [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] | align = center | 60,821 | align = center | 51.73% |- | {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}} | [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] | align = center | 27,112 | align = center | 23.06% |- | | other party affiliation | align = center | 29,634 | align = center | 25.21% |- ! colspan = 2 | Total ! align = center | 117,564 ! align = center | 100.00% |}

====Federal and state offices==== Citrus County has voted Republican in national elections since 2000 and has voted Republican in state and local races before the 21st century. As of 2015, Republicans held the federal representative, state senator, and state representative seats serving the county, occupied all seats on the Citrus County Commission, and held nearly all other separately elected offices in the county. In 2016 the county broke heavily for [[Donald Trump]], giving him 67% of the vote, the largest of any candidate since [[Richard Nixon|President Nixon]] in 1972. Trump broke his own record in both subsequent elections (2020 and 2024).

The county has been trending heavily Republican for the past few decades, with Democratic registration declining for at least the past 15 years.

{{PresHead|place=Citrus County, Florida|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/ |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |access-date=December 17, 2016 |archive-date=April 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414004543/http://uselectionatlas.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1892|Democratic|0|316|75|Florida}} {{PresRow|1896|Democratic|35|347|28|Florida}} {{PresRow|1900|Democratic|16|413|19|Florida}} {{PresRow|1904|Democratic|21|369|27|Florida}} {{PresRow|1908|Democratic|33|371|40|Florida}} {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|11|417|75|Florida}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|46|601|48|Florida}} {{PresRow|1920|Democratic|94|651|43|Florida}} {{PresRow|1924|Democratic|30|423|52|Florida}} {{PresRow|1928|Democratic|505|816|16|Florida}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|147|1,209|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|159|1,366|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|194|1,561|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|264|1,328|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|461|940|251|Florida}} {{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,249|1,361|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,570|1,527|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|1,861|1,730|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,329|2,521|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,767|1,775|2,606|Florida}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|8,848|2,607|3|Florida}} {{PresRow|1976|Democratic|7,973|9,438|296|Florida}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|14,286|9,162|982|Florida}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|20,764|10,468|4|Florida}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|21,072|12,184|218|Florida}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|16,412|15,937|12,397|Florida}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|20,125|22,044|7,431|Florida}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|29,801|25,531|1,916|Florida}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|39,500|29,277|690|Florida}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|43,706|31,460|1,343|Florida}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|44,662|28,460|1,047|Florida}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|54,456|22,789|3,167|Florida}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|65,352|27,092|944|Florida}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|71,356|26,276|908|Florida}} {{PresFoot}} {{U.S. SenHead|place=Citrus County, Florida|Seat=1|source=}}  {{U.S. SenRow|2024|Republican|66,837|27,975|2,062|Florida}} {{U.S. SenFoot}} {{U.S. SenHead|place=Citrus County, Florida|Seat=3|source=}}  {{U.S. SenRow|2022|Republican|55,087|19,634|1,217|Florida}} {{U.S. SenFoot}} {{F.L. GovHead|place=Citrus County|Seat=|source=}}  {{F.L. GovRow|2022|Republican|56,283|19,100|443}} {{F.L. GovFoot}}

==Media== The Citrus County newspaper of record is the ''Citrus County Chronicle'', a daily. It is published by [[Landmark Media Enterprises]]. A second paper, ''The Newscaster'', also circulates in Citrus County but is located in neighboring Marion County.

Other online news sources include the Groundhog News, Citrus Daily, Real News Real Fast, Sunshine Standard and Citrus Times Online.

The local TV station is [[WYKE-CD]].

The county is part of the [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen]]-designated [[Template:Tampa Bay TV|Tampa-Saint Petersburg-Sarasota television market]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediainfocenter.org/compare/top50/#tv |title=Top 50 TV markets ranked by households |publisher=Northwestern University Media Management Center |access-date=September 3, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807070323/http://www.mediainfocenter.org/compare/top50/#tv |archive-date=August 7, 2007 |url-status=usurped}}</ref> [[Bright House Networks|Spectrum]] and [[Comcast]] serve different areas of Citrus County, with Spectrum serving the western part of the county, including Crystal River; and Comcast serving Inverness, and the eastern county communities; these systems offer most Tampa Bay stations, plus selected channels from the Orlando and Gainesville markets.

Radio stations in Citrus County are part of the [[Arbitron]]-designated [[Template:Gainesville/Ocala Radio|Gainesville/Ocala radio market]].

==See also==  * [[Citrus County School District]] * [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Citrus County, Florida]] * [[Fort Island Gulf Beach]]

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} * {{official website|https://www.citruscounty.gov/}} * [https://www.citruscountychamber.com/ Citrus County Chamber of Commerce] * [https://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/ Citrus County Visitors and Convention Bureau]

{{Geographic Location |Centre = Citrus County, Florida |North = |Northeast = [[Marion County, Florida|Marion County]] |East = [[Sumter County, Florida|Sumter County]] |Southeast = |South = [[Hernando County, Florida|Hernando County]] |Southwest = |West = [[Gulf of Mexico]] |Northwest = [[Levy County, Florida|Levy County]] }} {{Citrus County, Florida}} {{Geography of Florida}} {{Authority control}}

[[Category:Citrus County, Florida| ]] [[Category:1887 establishments in Florida]] [[Category:Counties in the Tampa Bay area]] [[Category:Florida counties]] [[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1887]]