Page 13 - 2013 Winter Newsletter
Basic HTML Version
Citrus County was established on June 2, 1887, when Pasco and Citrus were
carved from the historical Hernando County. The county‘s name came from a ro-
bust citrus industry, which would grind to a halt with the Big Freeze in 1894/95.
Coincidentally, about the same time, hard rock phosphate was discovered just
over the county line, and mining took its place in the economy of the county.
Found predominantly on the east side of the county mining ran its course for the
next several decades. During this era, the sleepy village of Floral City grew to a
population of over 10,000, bigger than Miami at the time. By World War I,
phosphate lost its market and went by the wayside, and so Floral City returned to its former status.
Thereafter, Citrus returned to its agricultural roots until the mid 1960s, when the retirement migra-
tion to Florida discovered Citrus County.
Since then, county population has increased to 141,236 (2010 census). The majority of that population
resides in unincorporated Citrus County. Connected via Suncoast Parkway to the Tampa Bay area, the
county is in the heart of Florida‘s Nature Coast. Progress Energy (recently merged in 2012 with Duke
Power) and their power generating facilities at Crystal River remains the county‘s largest employer and
taxpayer.
Our county boasts seven rivers within its bounda-
ries, most of which are spring fed, including 3
first magnitude springs. The Withlacoochee
River forms the north and east boundaries, with
the Gulf of Mexico on the west. Rich natural re-
sources make eco-tourism is an important part of
the local economy. Probably our best known win-
ter visitor is the endangered Florida Manatee.
Particularly in Crystal River and other area rivers
and at our state park in Homosassa Springs,
thousands are drawn each year to experience a close up encounter with this gentle creature.
There are two cities in this county. The City of Inverness in eastern Citrus County is the county seat,
and the only other incorporated place is the City of Crystal River in western Citrus County. Both have
populations of less than 10,000 each. Several urbanized areas have grown up around the larger retire-
ment communities including Beverly Hills, Citrus Springs/Pine Ridge, Citrus Hills and Sugarmill
Woods in Homosassa.
Building a stronger tax base for the future is a major thrust of all elected leadership in Citrus County.
Active economic development efforts are seeking to complete the Suncoast Parkway through the
county, and studies are underway to examine the feasibility of establishing a Port in northwest Citrus
County. Diversification of the economy is considered necessary for the long term economic future of
Citrus County.
COUNTY SPOTLIGHT: CITRUS COUNTY
Hon. Geoffrey Greene
13
Hon. Geoffrey Greene was first elected in 2008 | Number of Employees: 52 | Total Square
Miles: 773, 25% of which is water | Website:
2012 Tax Roll At-A-Glance
Real Property Parcels
155,693
Tangible Accounts
8,704
Just (Market) Value
$13,233,991,902
Taxable NS Value
$9,043,459,879
Highest taxable value (TPP+RP)
Progress Energy of Florida
$2,322,295,720
Winter 2013 Newsletter of the FCIAAO
