Hernando County Map, Florida
Explore the definitive interactive map and reference guide to Hernando County, Florida. With a population of 194,515 living across 473 square miles of land, Hernando County is one of 5 counties in the Tampa Bay region. The county seat is Brooksville, and the county carries the FIPS identifier 12053 in U.S. Census and USGS datasets.
Hernando County anchors the northern Tampa Bay suburbs, with Spring Hill's residential population and the iconic mermaid show at Weeki Wachee Springs.
Hernando County at a glance
A concise reference summary of Hernando County's key statistics — useful for research, real estate, relocation, travel planning, GIS workflows, journalism, and civics education.
- Official name
- Hernando County
- County seat
- Brooksville
- FIPS code
- 12053
- Region
- Tampa Bay
- Established
- 1843
- Named for
- Hernando de Soto.
- Land area
- 473 sq mi
- Water area
- 116 sq mi
- Total area
- 589 sq mi
- Population (2020)
- 194,515
- Population density
- 411 / sq mi
- Time zone
- Eastern Time
Where is Hernando County, Florida?
Hernando County is located in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Brooksville, is the administrative hub — home to the courthouse, county commission chambers, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court.
The county spans a total of 589 square miles — 473 of land and 116 of water — and operates on Eastern Time. Federal agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, USGS, and FEMA reference the county by its FIPS code, 12053, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.
Hernando County shares borders with 3 neighboring counties: Citrus County, Sumter County, Pasco County. Use the interactive map above to explore where those boundaries meet or jump directly to any neighboring county page for a side-by-side comparison.
Hernando County geography & landscape
Coastal marsh, karst uplands, and dozens of springs. Weeki Wachee is the world's only spring-based mermaid show, operating since 1947.
The county's overall footprint — 473 square miles of land plus 116 square miles of water — places it among the more compact of Florida's 67 counties by area. Elevation across most of Florida is modest, and land-use, drainage basins, and habitat corridors defined by state and federal agencies (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Water Management Districts) shape how growth and conservation coexist here.
Economy & industry in Hernando County
Health care, retirement services, retail, mining (limestone), and a growing logistics presence along the Suncoast Parkway.
Employment, tax base, and land use in Hernando County reflect its location in Tampa Bay and its position in the state's middle tier of population. Economic development authorities, chambers of commerce, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity publish updated employer and workforce data for the county on their portals.
History of Hernando County
Established 1843 as Benton County, renamed Hernando in 1850. Brooksville was a citrus and phosphate boom town.
Established in 1843, Hernando County is one of Florida's earliest counties. Its boundaries, seat, and government have evolved through territorial, statehood, Reconstruction, and modern eras — a lineage documented by the Florida Historical Society, the State Archives of Florida, and the Hernando County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.
Tourism & things to do in Hernando County
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Withlacoochee State Forest, Chinsegut Hill, Buccaneer Bay, and Pine Island Beach.
Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, Hernando County offers a mix of natural, cultural, and community attractions tied to its Tampa Bay identity. For the latest hours, admission fees, and seasonal events, check the county's official tourism development council and the Florida State Parks portal (floridastateparks.org).
Cities, towns & communities in Hernando County
Hernando County contains the following incorporated cities, towns, and notable census-designated places. Each municipality provides local services, zoning, and police protection within the broader county jurisdiction. Use the ZIP code lookupto jump between Florida counties instantly.
Getting to Hernando County
Access routes and regional transportation infrastructure serving Hernando County.
- US-19
- US-41
- US-98
- Suncoast Parkway
- I-75 nearby
- Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional (BKV)
Hernando County GIS, parcel & boundary data
Hernando County's authoritative boundary lines, parcel data, zoning layers, flood zones, and land-use inventories are maintained by county government and state agencies. Use the official links in the sidebar for parcel lookups, appraiser searches, and record requests. For statewide GIS, the Florida Geographic Data Library (FGDL) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection publish downloadable layers keyed to FIPS 12053.
You can download this county's outline as SVG, PNG, or a printable PDF factsheet using the export tools in the sidebar — perfect for reports, presentations, classroom handouts, or planning documents.
Frequently asked about Hernando County
Population figures reflect the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 decennial count with ACS 5-year updates where noted. Land and water areas come from the U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line boundary files. Highway designations use Florida Department of Transportation route inventories. County establishment dates and namesakes are drawn from the Florida Association of Counties and State Archives of Florida. See our methodology page.
Nearby Florida counties
Counties that share a border with Hernando County. Click any to view its map, seat, cities, and full guide.