{{short description|County in Florida, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Hernando County | state = Florida | seal = Seal of Hernando County, Florida.png | seal size = 100px | founded year = 1843 | founded date = February 24 | seat wl = Brooksville | largest city wl = Spring Hill | city type = community | area_total_sq_mi = 589 | area_land_sq_mi = 473 | area_water_sq_mi = 116 | area percentage = 19.8% | census yr = 2020 | pop = 194515 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 221701 {{gain}} | density_sq_mi = auto | web = www.hernandocounty.us | ex image = Hernando Cty Crths Brooksville02.jpg | ex image cap = Hernando County Courthouse | district = 12th | time zone = Eastern | named for = Hernando de Soto }}
'''Hernando County''' ({{langx|es|Condado de Hernando|link=}}) is a county located on the west central coast of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 194,515.<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12053.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 14, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607114043/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12053.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref> Its county seat is Brooksville,<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 Spring Hill. Hernando County is included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.<ref>{{cite web | title=Tampa Bay Region | url=https://www.hernandobusiness.com/tampa-bay }}</ref> It is also part of the Nature Coast of Florida.
==History== [[File:Hernando de Soto 1881.jpg|thumb|Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto]] In 1767, a group of Upper Creeks from Eufaula, Alabama, migrated to the Tampa Bay region and settled in what is now Hernando County. They would eventually become a part of the Muskogee speaking Seminole.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Mahon |first1=John K. |title=History of the Second Seminole War, 1835-1842 |date=2017 |publisher=LibraryPress@UF |location=Gainesville, FL |isbn=978-1-947372-26-9 |page=5 |edition=ePub |url=https://ufdc.ufl.edu/aa00061387/00001}}</ref>
===Early European Pioneers and Founding=== Roughly 100 settlers and over 50 slaves arrived in what would become Hernando County in February 1842.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Landers |first1=Roger R. |title=The "Recent Unpleasantness" in Hernando County, Florida: Reconstruction, Redemption, Retrenchment, and Its Legacy |journal=Tampa Bay History |date=2010 |volume=24 |issue=1 |page=13 |url=https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1504&context=tampabayhistory |access-date=March 24, 2023}}</ref> Fort DeSoto was soon established in the northeast edge of present-day Brooksville to protect these settlers in the area from Native Americans. The fort became a small community center, trading post, and way station on the route to Tampa. Further settlements started to grow near the fort beginning around 1845; two towns developed, Melendez and Pierceville, which would later merge to create Brooksville in 1856.<ref name="Brooksville History">{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.cityofbrooksville.us/about |website=City of Brooksville |access-date=April 12, 2021 |archive-date=May 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200508050124/https://www.cityofbrooksville.us/about |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Then encompassing a significantly larger area of west central Florida than it does today, Hernando County was officially established on February 27, 1843, two years prior to Florida's admission into the Union. It was created from portions of Alachua, Hillsborough and Orange Counties and included all of present-day Citrus and Pasco Counties. Named for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto,<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n154 155]}}</ref> whose name has also been honored in DeSoto County, Hernando County was briefly renamed Benton County in 1844 for 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 in the decade due to his decision to support the Missouri Compromise and the overall reversal of his stance on slavery, and the county's name reverted in 1850.
In December 1854, the legislature designated the small port town of Bayport the county seat. Residents living in the eastern section of the county instead desired a more central place for the county government, and by 1855, voters had selected an inland site within {{convert|5|mi|km|spell=in}} of the center of the county at the town of Melendez. In 1856, the citizens of Hernando County chose to rename the town, their new County Seat, Brooksville in honor of South Carolina Representative Preston Brooks, who in the same year beat fierce abolitionist Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner with a cane in the Senate chambers, winning the Congressman great renown in the South.
In 1855, town founder Joseph Hale donated land for a county courthouse in the center of present-day Brooksville. Soon thereafter, the structure was completed.
===American Civil War=== During the Civil War, Hernando County primarily contributed foodstuffs, cotton, and lumber to the Confederacy. Although Union ships imposed a blockade on the port of Bayport, runners enjoyed a great deal of success—enough to lead the Union in June 1864 to order some 150–250 troop to destroy Confederate stockpiles in the county. In early July, the expeditions, including 2 companies from the 2nd U.S. Florida Cavalry, marched northward from Anclote River to Brooksville, meeting some resistance from assembled Confederate troops hastily organized to protect the city.{{sfn|Landers|2010|p=14}} The Federal troops won this engagement (known locally as the Brooksville Raid<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pascocemeteries.org/brooksville_bayport_raid.html|first=Jeff|last=Cannon|date=December 11, 2009|title=The Brooksville-Bayport Raid and The Civil War in Hernando County|access-date=February 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313153213/http://pascocemeteries.org/brooksville_bayport_raid.html|archive-date=March 13, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and marched to Bayport, where they and an auxiliary force landing from gunboats sacked Rebel operations. The skirmish between Union raiders and local Confederates is reenacted annually in the county.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/briefs/brooksville-raid-re-enactment-to-be-held-today/1145572 |title=Brooksville raid re-enactment to be held today |newspaper=St. Petersburg Times |date=January 15, 2011 |publisher=www.tampabay.com |access-date=February 8, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014154111/http://www.tampabay.com/news/briefs/brooksville-raid-re-enactment-to-be-held-today/1145572 |archive-date=October 14, 2012 }}</ref>
At least one unit that fought in the Civil War was mustered in Hernando County. The Hernando County "Wildcats," formed Company C of 3rd Florida Infantry Regiment. The unit was captained by Walter Terry Saxon who was reportedly well liked by his men. He was paid roughly $20,000 for work surveying the Everglades. He used most of this money to arm and equip the Wildcats.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sheppard |first1=Jonathan C. |title="Everyday Soldiers": The Florida Brigade of the West, 1861-1862 |journal=Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations |date=2004 |pages=13–14 |url=https://diginole.lib.fsu.edu/islandora/object/fsu:176255/datastream/PDF/view |access-date=January 9, 2023}}</ref>
===Reconstruction=== Despite many citizens', including new immigrants, attempts at making Hernando an open and welcoming place, the county became one of the many Florida plantation counties that was a hotbed for Ku Klux Klan activity.{{sfn|Landers|2010|p=16}} Arthur St. Clair, a minister, was lynched in Hernando County, Florida, in 1877 for performing the wedding of a black man and white woman.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Cotter|first=Holland|date=June 1, 2018|title=A Memorial to the Lingering Horror of Lynching|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/01/arts/design/national-memorial-for-peace-and-justice-montgomery-alabama.html|access-date=June 9, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
The county courthouse was destroyed by a fire on September 29, 1877. On June 2, 1887, the Florida State Legislature divided Hernando County into three independent counties: Pasco County to the south, Citrus County to the north, and Hernando County in the middle. Since then, Hernando County's borders have remained unchanged.
==Geography== According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|589|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|473|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|116|sqmi}} (19.8%) is water.<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> According to the World Atlas USA, Hernando County is the geographic center of Florida. Elevation in the county ranges from mean sea level along the Gulf coast to its highest natural point of 269 feet at Chinsegut Hill.<ref>[http://www.mountainpeaks.net/index.php?action=found&feature_id=280396&city=Chinsegut+Hill&state=FL&type=Summit&lat=28.6191578&lon=-82.3645401&elevation=269 Chinsegut Hill, Florida (Mountain Peaks.net)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223175235/http://www.mountainpeaks.net/index.php?action=found&feature_id=280396&city=Chinsegut+Hill&state=FL&type=Summit&lat=28.6191578&lon=-82.3645401&elevation=269 |date=February 23, 2012 }}</ref>
===Adjacent counties=== * Citrus County, Florida - north * Sumter County, Florida - east * Pasco County, Florida - south
===National protected area=== * Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
===State protected areas=== Weeki Wachee Springs
===Other points of interest=== * [http://www.floridatrailriders.org/articles/croom.htm Croom Motorcycle Park] * Bayport Park * Brooksville Railroad Depot Museum * Delta Woods Park * Weeki Wachee Preserve * Veterans Memorial Park * Tom Varn Park * Annutteliga Hammock
==Demographics== {{US Census population | 1850 = 926 | 1860 = 1200 | 1870 = 2938 | 1880 = 4248 | 1890 = 2476 | 1900 = 3638 | 1910 = 4997 | 1920 = 4548 | 1930 = 4948 | 1940 = 5641 | 1950 = 6693 | 1960 = 11205 | 1970 = 17004 | 1980 = 44469 | 1990 = 101115 | 2000 = 130802 | 2010 = 172778 | 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 14, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=June 14, 2014}}</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 14, 2014}}</ref><br />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 14, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2015<ref name="QF" /> 2019<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/FL/PST045218|title=QuickFacts. Florida counties|access-date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> | 2020 = 194515 | estyear = 2025 | estimate = 221701 | 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 = right }}
===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Hernando County, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{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.''}}</small> !Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small> !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 – Hernando County, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US12053&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) – Hernando County, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US12053&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) – Hernando County, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US12053&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |40,691 |93,701 |116,670 |141,847 |style='background: #ffffe6; |144,060 |91.50% |92.67% |89.20% |82.10% |style='background: #ffffe6; |74.06% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |2,736 |3,812 |5,149 |8,165 |style='background: #ffffe6; |9,507 |6.15% |3.77% |3.94% |4.73% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.89% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |78 |237 |361 |483 |style='background: #ffffe6; |553 |0.18% |0.23% |0.28% |0.28% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.28% |- |Asian alone (NH) |98 |382 |820 |1,815 |style='background: #ffffe6; |2,566 |0.22% |0.38% |0.63% |1.05% |style='background: #ffffe6; |1.32% |- |Native Hawaiian or 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> |23 |62 |style='background: #ffffe6; |86 |x |x |0.02% |0.04% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.04% |- |Other race alone (NH) |32 |21 |111 |244 |style='background: #ffffe6; |868 |0.07% |0.02% |0.08% |0.14% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.45% |- |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> |1,081 |2,366 |style='background: #ffffe6; |7,830 |x |x |0.83% |1.37% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.03% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |834 |2,962 |6,587 |17,796 |style='background: #ffffe6; |29,045 |1.88% |2.93% |5.04% |10.30% |style='background: #ffffe6; |14.93% |- |'''Total''' |'''44,469''' |'''101,115''' |'''130,802''' |'''172,778''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''194,515 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}
[[File:2023_Racial_Demographics_in_Hernando_County_by_Census_Tract.svg|thumb|A map of racial demographics in Hernando County, Florida by Census tract{{Collapsible list | title = Legend|{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}
'''Non-Hispanic White''' {{legend|#ed8783|50–60%}} {{legend|#e55651|60–70%}} {{legend|#d02923|70–80%}} {{legend|#b00600|80–90%}} {{legend|#850400|>90%}}
{{col-end}} }}]]
===2020 census===
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 194,515 and a median age of 49.7 years. 18.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 28.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 92.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.4 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%3A053&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 78.4% White, 5.3% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.2% from some other race, and 10.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 14.9% 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%3A053&in=state%3A12|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 26, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
79.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 20.1% 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%3A053&in=state%3A12|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 26, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>
There were 79,773 households in the county, of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.2% were married-couple households, 16.2% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
There were 89,165 housing units, of which 10.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.4% were owner-occupied and 20.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>
===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, there were 130,802 people, 55,425 households, and 40,016 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|106|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 62,727 housing units at an average density of {{convert|51|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 92.85% White, 4.07% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. A total of 5.04% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. 91.1% spoke English, 4.5% Spanish, 1.1% German and 1.1% Italian as their first language.
There were 55,425 households, which 21.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.40% were married couples living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. A total of 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the county 18.90% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.40% was between the ages of 18 and 24, 20.40% between 25 and 44, 24.40% between 45 and 64, and 30.90% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 90.50 males. For every 100 females, age 18 and over, there were 87.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,572, and the median income for a family was $37,509. Males had a median income of $30,295 versus $21,661 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,321. About 7.10% of families and 10.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.90% of those under age 18 and 6.20% of those ages 65 or over.
==Economy== Hernando County is home to the largest (truck-to-truck) Wal-Mart Distribution Center in the U.S. approximately {{convert|1600000|sqft|m2}} in size and located in Ridge Manor. The industrial park [https://web.archive.org/web/20090729043649/http://www.hcairportindustrialpark.com/ Airport Industrial Park] is a {{convert|155|acre|km2|adj=on}} located near the Hernando County Airport. Over one hundred aviation, manufacturing and distribution businesses are located in this area. * [http://www.hernandobusiness.com/ Hernando County Office of Business Development]
===Top employers=== The top employers of Hernando County are as follows:<ref>http://hernandochamber.com/pages/demographics Her Chamber</ref> <br />1. Hernando County School Board (3,002) <br />2. Walmart (1,350) <br />3. Hernando County Government <br />4. Oak Hill Hospital (1,561) <br />5. Publix (1,050) <br />6. Walmart Hernando Distribution center (1,020)
==Transportation==
===Airports=== * Brooksville–Tampa Bay Regional Airport (ICAO: KBKV, FAA LID: BKV) serves southeastern Spring Hill, northern Masaryktown, and Garden Grove.
===Mass transit=== Hernando THE Bus provides bus service in Brooksville and Spring Hill.
===Railroads=== CSX operates two rail lines within the county. Amtrak formerly provided passenger rail service along the old Seaboard Air Line Railroad line east of US 301 in Ridge Manor, but had no stops in the county, the nearest stops being Dade City on the segment that was originally part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, and its last train on the line, the ''Palmetto'' had its Florida service discontinued in late 2004.<ref name="Amshack">{{cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2004/10/29/Pasco/Loss_of_Amtrak_servic.shtml|title=St. Petersburg Times|work=Loss of Amtrak service shouldn't derail Dade City|access-date=October 29, 2004}}</ref> The other line is the Brooksville Subdivision, which runs close to US 41, and was previously also owned by the Seaboard Air Line. The last train directly serving the county, in Croom, was local Jacksonville - St. Petersburg service in 1955 or 1956 operated by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, Table 15|journal=Official Guide of the Railways |publisher=National Railway Publication Company |volume=88 |issue=4 |date=September 1955}}</ref>
Notable abandoned railroad lines include a former branch of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad spanning from southeast of Ridge Manor through Istachatta that became part of the Withlacoochee State Trail, and a spur of this line from Croom west into Brooksville, which was replaced by a new rail trail called the Good Neighbor Trail. Though originally the Good Neighbor Trail only existed within Brooksville itself, the extension to the Withlacoohee State Trail has existed since 2018.
===Major highways=== {{See also|List of county roads in Hernando County, Florida}} *{{Jct|state=FL|US|19|name1=SR 55 / ''Commercial Way''}} is a major commercial highway running parallel to the Gulf of Mexico on the western edge of the county, and used as a primary connecting route to cities on the west coast of Florida, including Hudson, New Port Richey, Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg, as well as Homosassa and Crystal River to the north. *{{Jct|state=FL|US|41|name1=SR 45 / ''Broad Street''}} runs parallel to US 19 through points in the center of the county, including downtown Brooksville, where it intersects with SR 50 and US 98. It is still a primary connecting route with Tampa. Between Brooksville and Garden Grove, US 41 is a six-lane highway, and between Garden Grove and Masaryktown it is a four-lane highway. To the northeast, US 41 runs through part of the Withlacoochee State Forest. Plans are currently under way to widen US 41 throughout Hernando County. *{{Jct|state=FL|US|98|name1=SR 700 / ''Ponce de Leon Boulevard''}} runs diagonally across the county from the northwest to the southeast, where it exits into Pasco County, and runs concurrent with SR 50 in the eastern part of the county, intersects I-75 in Ridge Manor West and meets the Suncoast Parkway at the parkway's current end near World Woods Golf Course north of Brooksville. *{{Jct|state=FL|US|301|name1=SR 35 / ''Treiman Boulevard''}} is a north–south highway that crosses into the county briefly at its tapered eastern end, running parallel to I-75, and intersecting with SR 50 at Ridge Manor. *{{Jct|state=FL|I|75|name1=SR 93 / ''Interstate 75''}} runs north and south across the eastern part of the county, with one exit (Exit 301) at its intersection with US 98/SR 50. Once a major connecting point with Tampa, I-75 has been made obsolete for western residents of the county by the Suncoast Parkway. *{{Jct|state=FL|Toll|589|name1=''Suncoast Parkway''}} enters the county in the south slightly to the west of US 41, and ends in the far northern part of the county at US 98. The Suncoast Parkway is a toll road that connects Hernando County with Hillsborough County, where it becomes the Veterans Expressway and heads directly into Tampa International Airport before reaching Interstate 275. SR 589 has four Hernando County exits: County Line Road (Exit 37), Spring Hill Drive (Exit 41), SR 50 (Exit 46), and US 98 (Exit 55). * {{jct|state=FL|FL|50}} (''Cortez Boulevard'') begins at US 19 in Weeki Wachee, runs through Brooksville, and exits into Sumter County at the eastern tip of the county. Along the way, it interchanges with the Suncoast Parkway, intersects with US 41 in Brooksville, runs concurrently with US 98, and intersects with I-75 in Ridge Manor West(Hernando County's only interchange with I-75) and US 301 in Ridge Manor. A significant, well-developed highway in the county, SR 50 originally extended from US 19 to the Gulf Coast at Bayport. This section was given back to the county and is currently CR 550. Currently, S.R. 50 is used as a beeline route from the county to Orlando in the east. *{{jct|state=FL|FL|50A}} (''Jefferson Street'') is a spur of SR 50 that runs through downtown Brooksville, running concurrently with both US 41 and US 98 at points. *{{jct|state=FL|CR|574|county1=Hernando}} (''Spring Hill Drive / CR 574'') is a major county road running roughly parallel to both SR 50 and the border with Pasco County beginning by US 19, intersects the Suncoast Parkway, and ends at US 41. *{{jct|state=FL|CR|578|county1=Hernando}} (''County Line Road / CR 578'') is a major county road running entirely along the border with Pasco County beginning at US 19, intersects the Suncoast Parkway, and ends at US 41. Due to increased congestion, it is planned to be upgraded from two to four lanes, and possibly upgraded from a county road to a state road.
==Politics== Hernando County has been trending towards the Republican Party in the 21st century. As is true with multiple other Florida counties, the 2024 presidential election saw the greatest Republican support in the county since Nixon's 1972 landslide.<ref>{{cite web | title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections | url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/ }}</ref>
===Presidential Elections=== {{PresHead|place=Hernando County, Florida|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=June 15, 2018}}</ref>}} <!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} --> {{PresRow|1892|Democratic|0|227|83|Florida}} {{PresRow|1896|Democratic|37|231|10|Florida}} {{PresRow|1900|Democratic|18|252|16|Florida}} {{PresRow|1904|Democratic|12|172|17|Florida}} {{PresRow|1908|Democratic|57|260|22|Florida}} {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|18|272|93|Florida}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|38|446|76|Florida}} {{PresRow|1920|Democratic|132|622|64|Florida}} {{PresRow|1924|Democratic|59|300|42|Florida}} {{PresRow|1928|Democratic|661|701|21|Florida}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|258|1,097|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|313|1,115|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|381|1,151|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|346|1,002|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1948|Democratic|441|825|406|Florida}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|1,279|1,104|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,295|1,435|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,809|1,960|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1964|Republican|2,337|2,320|0|Florida}} {{PresRow|1968|American Independent|2,053|1,524|2,387|Florida}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,296|2,110|3|Florida}} {{PresRow|1976|Democratic|5,793|7,717|222|Florida}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|12,115|8,858|1,059|Florida}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|21,279|12,204|4|Florida}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|21,195|15,437|231|Florida}} {{PresRow|1992|Democratic|17,902|19,174|12,010|Florida}} {{PresRow|1996|Democratic|22,046|28,524|7,496|Florida}} {{PresRow|2000|Democratic|30,658|32,648|1,930|Florida}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|42,635|37,187|725|Florida}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|45,021|41,886|1,350|Florida}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|44,938|37,830|1,160|Florida}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|58,970|31,795|3,886|Florida}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|70,412|37,519|1,219|Florida}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|75,446|34,431|1,175|Florida}} {{PresFoot}}
===Local Government===
====Board of County Commissioners==== Hernando County's chief legislative body is the Board of County Commissioners. The county is divided into five Districts, each with their own commissioner. Commissioners are elected by the voters at large, to four-year terms.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Board of County Commissioners {{!}} Hernando County, FL|url=https://www.hernandocounty.us/departments/departments-a-e/board-of-county-commission|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=www.hernandocounty.us}}</ref> Specific duties of the county Commissioners are outlined in [https://www.hernandocounty.us/departments/departments-a-e/board-of-county-commission?splash=http%3a%2f%2fwww.leg.state.fl.us%2fStatutes%2findex.cfm%3fApp_mode%3dDisplay_Statute%26URL%3d0100-0199%2f0125%2f0125ContentsIndex.html%26StatuteYear%3d2010%26Title%3d-%253E2010-%253EChapter%2520125&____isexternal=true Chapter 125, Florida Statutes]. thumb|Map of the five county commission districts
=====District 1===== {| class="wikitable" |+District 1 Elected Officials !Year !Commissioner !Party !Term |- |2018 |John Mitten |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |June 2018 - 2020<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Woman who says she exchanged sex for rent with Hernando commissioner describes political alliances|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/Woman-who-says-she-exchanged-sex-for-rent-with-Hernando-commissioner-describes-political-alliances_171666029/|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en}}</ref> |- |2016 |Nick Nicholson |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2016 - June 2018<ref name=":0" /> |- |2012 |Nick Nicholson |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2012 - 2016 |- |2008 |Jeff Stabins |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2008 - 2012 |} {{Hidden begin |titlestyle = background:#ccccff; |title = District 1 Elections Results }} {| class="wikitable" |+ !Election Year !Candidates !Party !Number of Votes !Percentage of Votes |- | rowspan="3" |2016<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=ElectionSummaryReport|url=https://www.hernandovotes.com/Portals/Hernando/OfficialElectionSummaryReport2016General.pdf|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=Hernando County Supervisor of Elections}}</ref> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''Nick Nicholson''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49,973''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52.42%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jimmy Lodato |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38,934 |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.84% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |88,907 | |- | rowspan="5" |2012<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|title=GEMS ELECTION SUMMARY REPORT|url=https://www.hernandovotes.com/portals/hernando/documents/summary_results_20121106_general.pdf|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=Hernando County Supervisor of Elections}}</ref> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''Nick Nicholson''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''39,730''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.69%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Arlene Glantz |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|32,716 |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.73% |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Independent}}|Joseph J. Swilley Sr |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Independent}}|INT |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Independent}}|5,775 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Independent}}|7.37% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Write-In Votes |177 |0.23% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |78,398 | |- | rowspan="3" |2008<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=GEMS ELECTION SUMMARY REPORT|url=https://www.hernandovotes.com/portals/hernando/documents/gems_election_summary_report_off.pdf|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=Hernando County Supervisor of Elections}}</ref> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''Jeff Stabins''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''47,175''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''57.41%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Ramon J Gurierrez |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|34,995 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|42.59% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |82,170 | |} {{Hidden end}}
=====District 2===== {| class="wikitable" |+District 2 Elected Officials !Year !Commissioner !Party !Term |- |2018 |Wayne Dukes |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2018-2022 |- |2014 |Wayne Dukes |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2014-2018 |- |2010 |Wayne Dukes |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2010-2014 |- |2006 |Rose Rocco |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |2006-2010 |- |2002 |Hannah M. "Nancy" Robinson |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |2002-2006 |} {{Hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#ccccff;|title=District 2 Elections Results}} {| class="wikitable" !Election Year !Candidates !Party !Number of Votes !Percentage of Votes |- | rowspan="3" |2018<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Official Election Summary Report|url=https://www.hernandovotes.com/Portals/Hernando/HER%202018%20General%20Official%20Summary%20Report.pdf?ver=2019-07-26-105836-960|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=Hernando County Supervisor of Elections}}</ref> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''Wayne Dukes''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''46,296''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.90%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Deborah A Salvesen |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|32,304 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|41.10% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |78,600 | |- | rowspan="4" |2014<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=GEMS ELECTION SUMMARY REPORT|url=https://www.hernandovotes.com/Portals/Hernando/Election%20Summary%20Report%2020141114.pdf|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=Hernando County Supervisor of Elections}}</ref> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''Wayne Dukes''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''30,673''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''49.40%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Jimmy Lodato |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|26,996 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.47% |- |Brian Moore |NPA |4,427 |7.13% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |62,096 | |} {{Hidden end}}
=====District 3===== {| class="wikitable" |+District 3 Elected Officials !Year !Commissioner !Party !Term |- |2016 |John Allocco |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2016-2020 |- |2012 |Diane Rowden |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |2012-2016 |- |2008 |John Druzbick |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2008-2012 |} {{Hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#ccccff;|title=District 3 Elections Results}} {| class="wikitable" !Election Year !Candidates !Party !Number of Votes !Percentage of Votes |- | rowspan="3" |2016<ref name=":1" /> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''John Allocco''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''52,667''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55.25%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Diane Rowden |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|37,177 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|39.00% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |89,844 | |- | rowspan="5" |2012<ref name=":2" /> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|Jason Patrick Sager |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|34,899 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|43.86% |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''Diane Rowden''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''DEM''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''32,716''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|'''47.26%''' |- |Gregory Lewis Sheldo |NPA |6,861 |8.62% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Write-In Votes |201 |0.25% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |79,564 | |- | rowspan="3" |2008<ref name=":5" /> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''John Druzbick''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''44,270''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''53.55%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Diane Rowden |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38,404 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|46.45% |- |style="text-align:left;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |82,674 | |} {{Hidden end}}
=====District 4===== {| class="wikitable" |+District 4 Elected Officials !Year !Commissioner !Party !Term |- |2018 |Jeff Holcomb |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2018-2022 |- |2014 |Jeff Holcomb |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2014-2018 |- |2010 |David Russell |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2010-2014 |- |2006 |David Russell |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2006-2010 |} {{Hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#ccccff;|title=District 4 Elections Results}} {| class="wikitable" !Election Year !Candidates !Party !Number of Votes !Percentage of Votes |- | rowspan="3" |2018<ref name=":3" /> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''Jeff Holcomb''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''48,864''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''61.90%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Nancy Makar |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|30,073 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|38.10% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |78,937 | |- | rowspan="4" |2014<ref name=":4" /> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''Jeff Holcomb''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''33,710''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''54.91%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Daniel T. Oliver |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|25,026 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40.76% |- |H. David Werder |NPA |2,656 |4.33% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |61,392 | |} {{Hidden end}}
=====District 5===== {| class="wikitable" |+District 5 Elected Officials !Year !Commissioner !Party !Term |- |2016 |Steve Champion |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2016-2020 |- |2012 |James E Adkins |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2012-2016 |- |2008 |James E Adkins |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|REP |2008-2012 |} {{Hidden begin|titlestyle=background:#ccccff;|title=District 5 Elections Results}} {| class="wikitable" !Election Year !Candidates !Party !Number of Votes !Percentage of Votes |- | rowspan="3" |2016<ref name=":1" /> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''Steve Champion''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''55,892''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''58.63%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Paul Douglas |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|32,362 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|33.95% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |88,254 | |- | rowspan="3" |2012<ref name=":2" /> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''James E Adkins''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''44,091''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''56.56%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Ramon J Gutierrez |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|33,859 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|43.44% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |77,950 | |- | rowspan="3" |2008<ref name=":5" /> |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''James E. Adkins''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''REP''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''41,796''' |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Republican}}|'''50.81%''' |- |style="text-align:left;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|Christopher Kingsley |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|DEM |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|40,471 |style="text-align:center;" {{Party shading/Democratic}}|49.19% |- |style="text-align:right;" colspan="2" |Total Votes |82,267 | |} {{Hidden end}}
====Constitutional Officers====
=====Clerk of Court and Comptroller===== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Officer !Party !Term |- |2020 |Doug Chorvat |REP |2020-2022 |- |2018 |Doug Chorvat |REP |2018-2020 |- |2016 |Donald C. Barbee, Jr. |REP |2016-2018 |}
=====Supervisor Of Elections===== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Officer !Party !Term |- |2020 |Shirley Anderson |REP |2020-2024 |- |2016<ref name=":1" /> |Shirley Anderson |REP |2016-2020 |- |2012<ref name=":2" /> |Shirley Anderson |REP |2012-2016 |- |2008<ref name=":5" /> |Annie D Williams |DEM |2008-2012 |}
=====Property Appraiser===== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Officer !Party !Term |- |2016 |John Emerson |REP |2016-2020 |- |2012 |John Emerson |REP |2012-2016 |}
=====Sheriff===== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Officer !Party !Term |- |2020 |Alvin "Al" Nienhuis |REP |2020-2024 |- |2016 |Alvin "Al" Nienhuis |REP |2016-2020 |- |2012 |Alvin "Al" Nienhuis |REP |2012-2016 |- |2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=Governor appoints Alvin Nienhuis as Hernando County Sheriff|url=https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/governor-appoints-alvin-nienhuis-as-hernando-county-sheriff/67-390109492|access-date=September 30, 2020|website=wtsp.com|date=December 28, 2010 |language=en-US}}</ref> |Alvin "Al" Nienhuis |REP |2010-2012 |- |2008 |Richard B Nugent |REP |2008-2010 |}
==Emergency Management==
===Fire Departments=== * Brooksville Fire Department * Hernando County Fire Rescue
===Law Enforcement Agencies=== * Hernando County Sheriff's Office * Florida Department of Law Enforcement * FWC Division of Law Enforcement (State Game Wardens) * Florida Highway Patrol
===Hospitals=== * Tampa General Hospital Brooksville (formerly, Brooksville Regional Hospital) * Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Spring Hill (formerly, HealthSouth) * HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital (formerly, Oak Hill Hospital) * Tampa General Hospital Spring Hill (formerly, Spring Hill Regional Hospital) * Springbrook Behavioral Hospital
==Library== The county is served by the Hernando County Library System. This is a public library system with one central library located in Brooksville and three other branches in Brooksville and Spring Hill. There are no bookmobiles associated with this library system. As of 2013, the staff totaled 42 people, including 11 librarians and 31 other staff members, only ten of which were full-time employees. The Florida Library Association chose the Hernando system as its 2013 Library of the Year. This library system serves a legal population of 136,484 people. The annual number of library visits is 480,706. There are 49 Internet terminals for use by the general public. The annual service hours for all service outlets is 12,215.
The library system has four branches: * Main Library/Brooksville Branch * East Hernando Branch * West Hernando Branch * Spring Hill Branch
==Communities== ===Cities=== * Brooksville
===Census-designated places=== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * Aripeka * Bayport * Brookridge * Garden Grove * Hernando Beach * High Point * Hill 'n Dale * Istachatta * Lake Lindsey * Masaryktown * Nobleton * North Brooksville * North Weeki Wachee * Pine Island * Ridge Manor * South Brooksville * Spring Hill * Spring Lake * Timber Pines * Weeki Wachee Gardens * Wiscon {{div col end}}
===Other unincorporated communities=== * Croom * Rolling Acres * Royal Highlands * Weeki Wachee
==See also== * National Register of Historic Places listings in Hernando County, Florida
==References== {{reflist|33em}}
==External links== {{commons category}} * [https://floridasadventurecoast.com/ Tourism Website] * {{Official website|http://www.hernandocounty.us/}}
{{coord|28.55|-82.47|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-FL_source:UScensus1990}}
{{Geographic Location |Centre = Hernando County, Florida |North = Citrus County |Northeast = |East = Sumter County |Southeast = |South = Pasco County |Southwest = |West = Gulf of Mexico |Northwest = }} {{Hernando County, Florida}} {{Tampa Bay Area}} {{Geography of Florida}}
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Category:Hernando County, Florida Category:Florida counties Category:1843 establishments in Florida Territory Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1843 Category:Counties in the Tampa Bay area