Hernando County, Florida

Hernando County
Hernando County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 28°33′N 82°28′W / 28.55°N 82.47°W / 28.55; -82.47
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedFebruary 24, 1843
Named afterHernando de Soto
SeatBrooksville
Largest communitySpring Hill
Area
  Total
589 sq mi (1,530 km2)
  Land473 sq mi (1,230 km2)
  Water116 sq mi (300 km2)  19.8%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
194,515
  Estimate 
(2023)
212,807
  Density330/sq mi (130/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.hernandocounty.us

Hernando County (Spanish: Condado de Hernando) 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. Its county seat is Brooksville, and its largest community is Spring Hill. Hernando County is included in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is also part of the Nature Coast of Florida. As of 2005, Hernando was the 35th fastest-growing county in the country.