Port Richey, Florida

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement  |official_name = City of Port Richey |name = Port Richey, Florida |settlement_type = [[City (Florida)|City]] |mottoes = "Our Gateway to the Gulf" "On the Beautiful Pithlachascotee River" |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_flag = PortRicheyFLflag.png |image_seal = PortRicheyFLseal.png |image_blank_emblem = PortRicheyFLlogo.png |blank_emblem_type = Logo |seal_size = |image_map = Pasco_County_Florida_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Port_Richey_Highlighted.svg |mapsize = 250x200px |map_caption = Location in [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco County]] and the state of Florida  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{USA}} |subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Florida}} |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Florida|County]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco]] |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 =  |established_title = [[Settler colonialism|Settled]] |established_date = 1883 |established_title2 =  |established_date2 = |established_title3 = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]] |established_date3 = 1925 |government_footnotes = |government_type = [[Council–manager government|Council-Manager]] |leader_title = [[Mayor]] |leader_name = John Eric Hoover<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cityofportrichey.com/city-council/ |title= City Council — City of Port Richey |website= cityofportrichey.com|date= 4 May 2023 |access-date= 2023-05-04}}</ref> |leader_title1 = [[Vice Mayor]] |leader_name1 = Chris Maher |leader_title2 = [[City Council|Council Members]] |leader_name2 = Dave Mueller, Bob Hubbard, and Lisa Burke |leader_title3 = [[City Manager]] |leader_name3 = Matthew W. Coppler |leader_title4 = [[City Clerk]] |leader_name4 = Ashlee McDonough  |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 31, 2021}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 5.90 |area_land_km2 = 5.75 |area_water_km2 = 0.15 |area_total_sq_mi = 2.28 |area_land_sq_mi = 2.22 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.06  |population_as_of = [[2020 United States census|2020]] |population_total = 3052 |population_footnotes = |population_density_km2 = 530.52 |population_density_sq_mi = 1374.16  |timezone = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]] |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = EDT |utc_offset_DST = -4 |coordinates = {{coord|28|16|33|N|82|43|30|W|type:city|display=inline,title}} |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_ft = 3  |postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]] |postal_code = 34668<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zipdatamaps.com/34668|title=Port Richey FL ZIP Code|publisher=zipdatamaps.com|year=2023|access-date=February 17, 2023}}</ref> |area_code = [[Area code 727|727]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 12-58600<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 2404556<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2404556}}</ref> |website = {{URL|https://www.cityofportrichey.gov/|cityofportrichey.gov}} |footnotes = }} '''Port Richey''' is a city in [[Pasco County, Florida|Pasco County]], Florida, United States. It is a suburban city included in the [[Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area]]. As of 2020, the city had a population of 3,052.

==History== In 1883, Aaron M. Richey arrived from [[St. Joseph, Missouri]], and settled near the mouth of the [[Pithlachascotee River]]. He established a post office in his home on July 9, 1884.

Port Richey was incorporated as a municipality in 1925, in response to the incorporation of [[New Port Richey]] the previous year. The name Port Richey is older than the name New Port Richey, as the post offices were established in 1884 and 1915, respectively.

Singer [[Johnny Cash]] owned a home along the Pithlachascotee River from 1979 until 2002.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fivay.org/cash.html|title=Johnny Cash in Port Richey, Florida|website=www.fivay.org}}</ref> Cash and his wife [[June Carter Cash]] inherited the house from [[Maybelle Carter]] after her death, and they sold it in 2002 shortly before their deaths in 2003.

The population of Port Richey has remained small, and proposals to abolish the city have gone before the voters several times.

On February 21, 2019, Mayor Dale Massad was taken into custody by the [[Florida Department of Law Enforcement]] with assistance from the [[Pasco County Sheriff's Office]] and the local SWAT team on charges of practicing medicine without a license.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/publicsafety/shots-fired-no-one-hurt-as-fdle-arrests-port-richey-mayor-at-his-home-20190221/|title=Shots fired, no one hurt, as FDLE arrests Port Richey mayor at his home|date=2019-02-21|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en-US|access-date=2019-02-21}}</ref> He also later was charged with two counts of attempted homicide for opening fire on officers as they attempted to serve the warrant.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fieldstadt |first1=Elisha |title=Florida mayor arrested after deputies shot at during raid on his home |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-mayor-arrested-after-deputies-shot-during-raid-his-home-n974286 |access-date=February 22, 2019 |work=NBC News |date=February 21, 2019 |language=en}}</ref> The next day, Governor [[Ron DeSantis]] signed an executive order to remove Massad from office.<ref name="AP">{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/39165924ca4d4777a8f93a86f0831b07|title=Florida mayor charged with shooting at deputies suspended| work=[[Associated Press]] | date=February 22, 2019}}</ref> Three weeks later, Acting Mayor Terrence Rowe was arrested for several charges, including obstruction of justice and use of a two-way communication device to facilitate the commission of a crime. The charges were described as an "offshoot" of the charges against Massad.<ref name=rowe-arrest>{{cite web |url=https://www.tampabay.com/breaking-news/not-a-rerun-another-port-richey-mayor-arrested-20190313/ |title=Not a rerun: A second Port Richey mayor is under arrest |last=Oxenden |first=McKenna |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=March 13, 2019 |access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref> DeSantis removed Rowe from office on March 20,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-pasco/port-richey-acting-mayor-terrence-rowe-suspended-by-gov-desantis-following-arrest|title=Port Richey acting mayor Terrence Rowe suspended by Gov. DeSantis following arrest|date=20 March 2019}}</ref> which left the city with no one to serve as mayor. The three remaining members of city council were unable to agree on a replacement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/pasco/to-quorum-or-not-to-quorum-in-port-richey-it-doesnt-matter-20190405/|title=To quorum or not to quorum? In Port Richey, it doesn't matter.|website=Tampa Bay Times}}</ref> State Senator [[Ed Hooper (politician)|Ed Hooper]] and Representative [[Amber Mariano (politician)|Amber Mariano]] sought to dissolve the city in response.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bakst |first=Adam |date=October 2, 2019 |title=Lawmakers Request Dissolution Of City Of Port Richey |url=https://news.wgcu.org/2019-10-02/lawmakers-request-dissolution-of-city-of-port-richey |access-date=January 22, 2024 |website=WGCU Public Media: PBS and NPR for Southwest Florida}}</ref> This effort was later dropped.

==Geography==

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.7|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|2.1|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}} (22.99%) is water.

===Climate=== The City of Port Richey is part of the [[humid subtropical climate]] zone with a [[Köppen Climate Classification]] of "Cfa" (C = mild temperate, f = fully humid, and a = hot summer).

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1930= 104 |1940= 134 |1950= 376 |1960= 1931 |1970= 1259 |1980= 2165 |1990= 2523 |2000= 3021 |2010= 2671 |2020= 3052 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref> | align = right | align-fn = center }}

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable" |+'''Port Richey racial composition''' (Hispanics excluded from racial categories) (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Race !Pop 2010<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Port Richey city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Port+Richey+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> !Pop 2020<ref>{{Cite web|title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Port Richey city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Port+Richey+city;+Florida+&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> !% 2010 !% 2020 |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] (NH) |2,371 |2,416 |88.77% |79.16% |- |[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] (NH) |37 |105 |1.39% |3.44% |- |[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] (NH) |14 |5 |0.52% |0.16% |- |[[Asian Americans|Asian]] (NH) |45 |36 |1.68% |1.18% |- |[[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] or [[Native Hawaiian]] (NH) |1 |0 |0.04% |0.00% |- |[[Other races (U.S. Census)|Some other race]] (NH) |2 |8 |0.07% |0.26% |- |[[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races/Multiracial]] (NH) |42 |118 |1.57% |3.87% |- |[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race) |159 |364 |5.95% |11.93% |- |'''Total''' |'''2,671''' |'''3,052''' | | |- |}

===2020 census===

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Port Richey had a population of 3,052. The median age was 55.4 years. 14.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 30.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.1 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=place%3A58600&in=state%3A12|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><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=place%3A58600&in=state%3A12|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.0% 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=place%3A58600&in=state%3A12|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 1,496 households in Port Richey, of which 19.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 35.8% were married-couple households, 25.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 29.4% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 40.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 22.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/><ref name="Census2020PL"/>

There were 1,923 housing units, of which 22.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 5.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.0%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/><ref name="Census2020PL"/>

===Demographic estimates===

The 2020 American Community Survey 5-year estimates reported 754 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2020: Port Richey city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Port+Richey+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2010 census===

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 2,671 people, 1,454 households, and 709 families residing in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|title=S1101 HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES - 2010: Port Richey city, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Port+Richey+city;+Florida+&tid=ACSST5Y2010.S1101|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===

[[File:City of Port Richey.png|thumb|Esri map of City of Port Richey]]

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 3,021 people, 1,424 households, and 770 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,433.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,746 housing units at an average density of {{convert|828.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.13% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.63% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.60% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.09% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.07% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.36% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.13% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.88% of the population.

In 2000, there were 1,424 households, out of which 15.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were [[married couples]] living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.9% were non-families. 37.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.61.

In 2000, in the city, the population was spread out, with 14.8% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 27.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.1 males.

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $27,404, and the median income for a family was $40,050. Males had a median income of $30,473 versus $22,139 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,711. About 9.1% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 34.6% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over. ==Public Safety== The City of Port Richey is served by the Port Richey Police Dept. and the Port Richey Fire Dept. Ambulance Service is provided by [[Pasco County Fire Rescue]]. There is a hospital within walking distance of the fire department.

==Points of interest== * [[Gulf View Square]], an enclosed shopping mall, located north of Port Richey.

==Notable people== * [[John C. Brasher]] member of the [[Florida House of Representatives]] and Mayor of Port Richey

==See also== * [[New Port Richey, Florida|New Port Richey]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[https://www.cityofportrichey.gov/ City of Port Richey official site]

[[Category:Cities in Pasco County, Florida]] [[Category:Populated coastal places in Florida on the Gulf of Mexico]] [[Category:Cities in Florida]] [[Category:1925 establishments in Florida]] [[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1925]]