Many people are choosing Spring Hill when looking for a place to live in Florida. This fast-growing community located in Hernando County has been on the rise in recent years. But is Spring Hill a great place to live? If you’re wondering if Spring Hill is right for you, we will give you the information you need to make the big decision.
Facts About Spring Hill
Spring Hill is a census-designated place (CDP) and is considered part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metro area. It also is in the Nature Coast region of Florida.
Population and Demographics
According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Spring Hill, Florida stands at 113,568 people. 21 percent of the population is under 18 years old, and 22.6 percent of the population is aged 65 and older, slightly higher than the average across Florida.
The median age is 43 years old, slightly higher than the average in the state of 42.2. The population density is lower than in other cities, and there are many retirees in the community.
The majority of residents speak only English, while around 10 percent speak Spanish. 14.7 percent of residents speak a language other than English at home, far lower than the Florida average of 29.4 percent.
Median Income and Employment
The average income in Spring Hill is $52,532, about $5,000 lower than the state average. Families reported a median income of $58,796 and married-couple families were slightly higher at $66,810. The poverty rate stands at 14.8 percent as reported by the Census, eclipsing the Florida average of 13.3 percent.
For those who hope to find a job in Spring Hill, the employment rate is 48.7 percent, roughly 10 percent lower than the state average. Additionally, over 70 percent of workers are employees at private companies, while about 14 percent work for the government. The most common employment field is educational services, health care, and social assistance.
Housing
For renters, Spring Hill has a median rent of $1,085, making it approximately $125 cheaper than the state’s median. 79 percent of homes are either two or three bedrooms, with 18.5 percent having four or more. In all, 7.4 percent of houses are renter-occupied.
If you’re thinking of buying a home, Spring Hill, Florida is a great place to do it. The homeownership rate is about 10 percent higher than the Florida average, with an astounding 76.7 percent rate. The majority of houses are valued between $100,000 and $300,000.
Transportation
Almost every worker drives themselves or carpools to work daily in Spring Hill. Mass transit consists of the Hernando County Transit system with four routes. In general, Spring Hill is not a great community for those who like to walk everywhere or ride public transit. The commute time is also quite low and the Suncoast Parkway runs nearby.
Climate
The climate in Spring Hill is typical of its location in Florida. The winter months range between 70-degree highs and 50-degree lows. The temperature shoots up in the summer, with highs around 90 degrees and lows in the 70s.
In the summer, there is around a 40 percent chance of a wet day. The rest of the year from September to June is considered the dry season with very little precipitation.
Education
The 2020 census revealed that 32.6 percent of Spring Hill residents have a high school diploma as their highest education. 18.8 percent of people have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Spring Hill has a public education system consisting of six elementary schools, four K-8 schools, four middle schools, and five high schools. There are four private schools in the city as well. There is one college in Spring Hill, Pasco-Hernando State College.
Things to Do
Residents have a choice of several activities in the city. Buccaneer Bay, a spring-fed water park near Spring Hill, and a live mermaid show can be seen nearby at Weeki Wachee Springs. There are several libraries around the area. For those who enjoy print news, the city has two newspapers: the Hernando Sun and Hernando Times.
Other nearby amenities include coffee shops and plenty of local stores for shopping. You will also find plenty of restaurants to dine at in Spring Hill.
For those who want to travel outside of the census-designated place for the weekend, both Tampa and Orlando are within reasonable driving distance. Anyone who enjoys the beach can also find some nearby.
Crime
Violent crimes occur at a lower rate in Spring Hill than in the rest of Florida. Property crimes also occur at a slightly less-frequent clip than the statewide average.
Hernando County
Spring Hill has the largest population in the county. The county seat is Brooksville, and it was named for Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto.
Pros and Cons of Living in Spring Hill
Now that the facts are all laid out, we can look at the positive and negative qualities of Spring Hill.
Pros
- Housing is quite affordable compared to state averages. It is also a buyer’s market for prospective homeowners.
- Crime rates are slightly lower than in the rest of Florida.
- The climate promises very mild winters.
- There are plenty of education options, with multiple public and private schools for compulsory education. Spring Hill has a university as well.
- Families have plenty of options for entertainment such as restaurants, stores, and beaches.
- It is one of the quieter cities in Florida.
Cons
- The median income has lagged behind the rest of the state.
- There is little in the way of public transit in Spring Hill.
- The summer weather is hot and wet, which may not be to some prospective residents’ liking.
- The employment rate is not as high as the national average.
Should You Live in Spring Hill, FL?
Spring Hill is a peaceful neighborhood for families who want to enjoy a mid-sized city. There is a healthy population of young and elderly people, and it is an affordable place to raise children. Young families looking to save money on rent or housing costs will find Spring Hill a good fit.
Spring Hill has a low cost of living compared to the national average and is a nice area for raising a family.
When thinking of moving to Spring Hill, make sure you do your research and find the best neighborhood in the area.
Conclusion: Is Spring Hill, Florida a Good Place to Live?
There is a reason why Spring Hill is one of the fastest-growing communities in Florida. It is a nice place to live for those desiring a new city. It has low population density and gives you the best parts of a quiet small town and cities. Before moving, however, check out the sinkhole map and make sure you are choosing the right property to make your home in.