Spring Hill

by The Linguist

Spring Hill is a city located in Hernando County, Florida, United States. According to the Wikipedia page for Spring Hill, the city had an estimated population of 113,729 as of 2020, making it one of the largest cities in Hernando County.

History

The Spring Hill area was first settled in the 1840s. The community was officially incorporated as a census-designated place in 1960 and then as a city in 1967. The name “Spring Hill” comes from the many freshwater springs located in the area.

One of the oldest landmarks in Spring Hill is the Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, which was established in 1987 to protect the salt springs and coastal swamp ecosystem. The park features hiking trails, camping, and opportunities to view wildlife.

Population and Demographics

As mentioned previously, Spring Hill had an estimated population of 113,729 residents as of 2020. The city has grown rapidly in recent decades, more than doubling in population since 2000 when there were just over 36,000 residents.

The racial makeup of Spring Hill is predominately white, with about 88% of the population identifying as white alone. Hispanic or Latino residents make up around 9% of the population. The median age is 47.8 years old, slightly higher than the US median age of 38.5 years.

In terms of household income, Spring Hill has a median annual household income of $55,051, which is on par with the Florida state average of $55,660.

Economy and Major Employers

The economy of Spring Hill is driven by several key industries and employers. Some of the major private sector employers in Spring Hill include:

  • BayCare Health System – Operates Oak Hill Hospital and Spring Hill Regional Hospital
  • PPD – Contract research organization for the biopharmaceutical industry
  • PrimeCare Medical Group – Large multispecialty medical group
  • Publix – Supermarket chain with multiple locations
  • Home Depot – Home improvement retail chain

In addition to private companies, government and public services provide many jobs in Spring Hill. Major public employers include the Hernando County School District, Hernando County Government, and Bayfront Health Spring Hill hospital.

The economy of Spring Hill is strengthened by its location along the Suncoast Parkway. This provides easy access to commercial hubs like Tampa. Transportation and warehousing businesses have a presence in Spring Hill due to its convenient highways and proximity to the Port of Tampa.

Attractions and Things to Do

There are plenty of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy in Spring Hill, such as:

Spring Hill provides easy access to popular Gulf Coast beaches like Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach within an hour’s drive. The city is also conveniently located near major attractions in Tampa like Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium.

Sports

Residents of Spring Hill are big supporters of Tampa’s professional sports teams. The NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays, and MLS’s Tampa Bay Rowdies all play games about an hour’s drive from Spring Hill.

For participating in sports locally, Spring Hill offers facilities like the Spring Hill Recreation Complex which includes baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, playgrounds, and more. There are also plenty of local golf courses in the area like Southern Hills Plantation Club.

Education

Public education in Spring Hill is managed by the Hernando County School District. The district operates several public elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools in the Spring Hill area. Some of the top schools include Spring Hill Elementary, Fox Chapel Middle School, and Springstead High School.

For higher education, residents can attend Pasco-Hernando State College located in nearby New Port Richey. The University of South Florida is also just over an hour’s drive away in Tampa.

Living in Spring Hill

With its natural beauty, rich history, and growing economy, Spring Hill provides an excellent place to live, work, and play. The cost of living is affordable compared to many parts of Florida, with median home prices around $265,000. Spring Hill offers a small town feel while still providing convenient access to amenities, attractions, and employment in the greater Tampa Bay region.