Pasco County, Florida

Pasco County
U.S. County
Pasco County Courthouse (2024)
Flag Seal Logo
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 28°18′N82°26′W / 28.3°N 82.44°W / 28.3; -82.44
Country	United States
State	Florida
Founded	June 2, 1887
Named for	Samuel Pasco
Seat	Dade City
Largest CDP	Wesley Chapel
Area
• Total	868 sq mi (2,250 km2)
• Land	747 sq mi (1,930 km2)
• Water	122 sq mi (320 km2)  14.0%
Population  (2020)
• Total	561,891
• Estimate  (2023)	632,996 [1]
• Density	752/sq mi (290/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts	12th, 15th
Website	www.pascocountyfl.net

Pasco County is a county located on the west central coast of the U.S. state of Florida. According to the 2020 census, the population was 561,691, making it the eleventh-most populous county in the state. ^[2] Its county seat is Dade City, ^[3] and its largest city is Zephyrhills. The county is named after Samuel Pasco.

Pasco County is included in the Tampa Bay Area and is primarily a bedroom community for Tampa and St. Petersburg.

It includes numerous parks and trails located along rivers, the Gulf of Mexico, lakes, and highway/railroad right-of-ways. Several nudist resorts are located in Pasco. It has become known as the "naturist capital of the United States," beginning with a development in 1941. ^[4] West Pasco includes retirement areas, commercial fishing, and suburbs of Tampa. The Suncoast Parkway as well as U.S. 19, U.S. 41, U.S. 98, U.S. 301, and Interstate 75 all pass through Pasco. The county is directly west of Polk and Sumter counties, north of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, and south of Hernando County.

History

US Senator Samuel Pasco

Pasco County was created on June 2, 1887, from the southern third of Hernando County. The same legislation also created Citrus County from the northern third of Hernando County. The county was named after Samuel Pasco, who had just been elected to the United States Senate. ^[5]

Dade City was named the temporary county seat until a popular vote was held in 1889, at which time voters made Dade City the permanent county seat. As early as 1917, residents of the western part of the county proposed forming a separate county or merging with Pinellas County, as Dade City was not centrally located in the county. The issue was finally resolved in the late 1970s with the construction of identical government centers in both Dade City and New Port Richey.^{[ citation needed ]}

The earliest towns were Anclote, Blanton, Dade City, Earnestville, Fort Dade (not to be confused with Fort Dade on Egmont Key), Macon (Trilby), Lacoochee, St. Leo, ^[6] and San Antonio. Citrus was an important industry when the county was formed, although a decline followed a freeze in 1895. Several large sawmills operated in the county in the early part of the 20th century.^{[ citation needed ]}

During the Florida land boom of the 1920s, New Port Richey became the winter home of silent screen star Thomas Meighan and golfer Gene Sarazen; Meighan attempted to bring other Hollywood figures to the city. The county has experienced significant population growth since the 1960s. The growth began along the Gulf coast but is now occurring most rapidly in areas north of Tampa.^{[ citation needed ]}

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 868 square miles (2,250 km²), of which 747 sq mi (1,930 km²) is land and 122 sq mi (320 km²) (14.0%) is water. ^[7]

A portion of Eastern Pasco County contains rolling topography with elevations from 100 to 160 ft (30 to 49 m), along with San Antonio and St. Leo.

Adjacent counties

• Hernando County—north
• Sumter County—northeast
• Polk County—southeast
• Hillsborough County—south
• Pinellas County—southwest

Climate

The county has a humid subtropical climate (Cfa) and average temperatures in Dade City range from 59.2 °F in January to 82.1 °F in July and August while in Port Richey they range from 59.0 °F in January to 82.2 °F in August. PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	4,249		—
1900	6,054		42.5%
1910	7,502		23.9%
1920	8,802		17.3%
1930	10,574		20.1%
1940	13,981		32.2%
1950	20,529		46.8%
1960	36,785		79.2%
1970	75,955		106.5%
1980	193,643		154.9%
1990	281,131	[8]	45.2%
2000	344,765	[8]	22.6%
2010	464,697	[2]	34.8%
2020	561,891		20.9%
2023 (est.)	632,996	[9]	12.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [10] [ failed verification ] 1790-1960 [11] 1900-1990 [12]

Pasco County racial composition as of 2020
(NH = Non-Hispanic) ^[a]

Race	Pop 2010 [15]	Pop 2020 [16]	% 2010	% 2020
White (NH)	372,239	392,375	80.1%	69.83%
Black or African American (NH)	19,010	31,601	4.09%	5.62%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	1,236	1,388	0.27%	0.25%
Asian (NH)	9,609	16,408	2.07%	2.92%
Pacific Islander (NH)	223	308	0.05%	0.05%
Some Other Race (NH)	686	2,771	0.15%	0.49%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	7,158	23,883	1.54%	4.25%
Hispanic or Latino	54,536	93,157	11.74%	16.58%
Total	464,697	561,891	100.00%	100.00%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 561,891 people, 209,483 households, and 139,278 families residing in the county.

As of the census ^[17] of 2000, there were 344,765 people, 147,566 households, and 99,016 families residing in the county. The population density was 463 inhabitants per square mile (179/km²). There were 173,717 housing units at an average density of 233 per square mile (90/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.70% White, 2.07% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.52% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. 5.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 147,566 households, out of which 23.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.20% under the age of 18, 5.80% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 26.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,969, and the median income for a family was $39,568. Males had a median income of $30,974 versus $23,802 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,439. About 7.60% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.20% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Though the county seat is in Dade City, duplicate county government offices and court facilities are also located in the New Port Richey area on the west side of the county.

Politically, the county has been a swing area over the past quarter century. However, three of the last four elections have trended strongly Republican in Presidential elections, with 2008 being the exception. Although the GOP had the most votes in 2008 at the time, it was by a much smaller margin than the previous 2004 election and in subsequent elections, when the raw vote for the Republican candidate increased every time.

United States presidential election results for Pasco County, Florida ^[18]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	197,779	61.87%	117,450	36.74%	4,435	1.39%
2020	179,621	59.36%	119,073	39.35%	3,927	1.30%
2016	142,101	58.41%	90,142	37.06%	11,022	4.53%
2012	112,427	52.48%	98,263	45.86%	3,558	1.66%
2008	110,104	51.07%	102,417	47.51%	3,068	1.42%
2004	103,230	54.07%	84,749	44.39%	2,937	1.54%
2000	68,607	48.05%	69,576	48.73%	4,586	3.21%
1996	48,355	36.23%	66,475	49.80%	18,641	13.97%
1992	47,735	35.11%	53,130	39.08%	35,097	25.81%
1988	63,820	55.59%	50,385	43.89%	598	0.52%
1984	66,618	61.92%	40,962	38.07%	8	0.01%
1980	50,120	56.67%	34,054	38.50%	4,268	4.83%
1976	28,306	45.11%	33,710	53.72%	731	1.16%
1972	29,249	71.91%	11,330	27.85%	97	0.24%
1968	9,743	42.36%	6,292	27.36%	6,966	30.29%
1964	7,606	48.32%	8,135	51.68%	0	0.00%
1960	7,188	55.21%	5,832	44.79%	0	0.00%
1956	5,501	56.82%	4,181	43.18%	0	0.00%
1952	4,562	56.24%	3,549	43.76%	0	0.00%
1948	1,839	37.68%	2,375	48.66%	667	13.67%
1944	1,352	34.89%	2,523	65.11%	0	0.00%
1940	1,362	30.59%	3,091	69.41%	0	0.00%
1936	1,159	34.21%	2,229	65.79%	0	0.00%
1932	806	24.35%	2,504	75.65%	0	0.00%
1928	1,591	54.26%	1,308	44.61%	33	1.13%
1924	472	32.42%	780	53.57%	204	14.01%
1920	630	33.44%	1,166	61.89%	88	4.67%
1916	236	19.82%	779	65.41%	176	14.78%
1912	60	8.34%	485	67.45%	174	24.20%
1908	81	14.21%	436	76.49%	53	9.30%
1904	96	16.84%	453	79.47%	21	3.68%
1900	32	5.51%	492	84.68%	57	9.81%
1896	70	12.46%	482	85.77%	10	1.78%
1892	0	0.00%	471	83.22%	95	16.78%

Transportation

Aviation

• Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (ZPH) ^[19]
• Pilot Country Airport (X05) ^[20]
• Tampa North Aero Park (X39) ^[21]
• Hidden Lake Estates Airport (FA40, private airport near Moon Lake) ^[22]

Bus service

Pasco County Public Transportation provides bus service throughout Pasco County. ^[23]

Railroads

CSX operates three rail lines within the county. Dade City and Zephyrhills are served with a line from Plant City. Amtrak formerly provided passenger rail service to Dade City on that line, but the stop was terminated in late 2004. ^[24] The other two lines include the Brooksville Subdivision which runs close to US 41 and the Vitis Subdivision, which runs southeast into Lakeland.

Notable abandoned railroad lines include a former branch of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad northwest of Trilacoochee (formerly Owensboro Junction) that became part of the Withlacoochee State Trail, a segment of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad branch stretching from Zephyrhills to Trilacoochee, the former Tampa and Thonotosassa Railroad along the east side of US 301 that spanned from Sulphur Springs to Zephyrhills, part of the Orange Belt Railway which became the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad which ran from St. Petersburg and entered the county in what is today Trinity to Trilby (abandoned during the early to mid-1970s), and a branch of the Seaboard Air Line that ran through Holiday, Elfers and into New Port Richey.

The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad until 1957 ran the Southland through Trilby and Tarpon Springs, en route to St. Petersburg. The train was unusual for providing passenger service direct from Chicago (via the Pennsylvania), Cincinnati and Atlanta on a direct route through the western part of the Florida peninsula, bypassing Jacksonville. ^{[25] [26]} The Seaboard Coast Line (a merged line from the Atlantic Coast Line and the Seaboard Coast Line) until 1971 ran a local train (the last passenger train for the region north of St. Petersburg and west of Dade City) through those towns from Jacksonville and Gainesville, bound for St. Petersburg. ^[27] Prior to the 1967 merger for the SCL that service had been the western branch of the ACL's Champion from New York City. ^[28] Until 1968 the SCL ran its Sunland from Washington, DC and Portsmouth, VA to Tampa. ^[29]

The SAL Tarpon Springs branch line from Tarpon Junction 14 miles west of Tampa to Elfers and thence to Newport Richey to New Port Richey was lost its passenger service and became listed as freight only between 1932 and 1938. ^{[30] [31]} The freight branch was truncated to Elfers in 1943. The tracks from Elfers and Chemical (an industrial area in the extreme southwest part of the county along the Anclote River west of Holiday) to Tarpon Springs were removed in the late 1980s, leaving the western half of the county without freight rail service.

Major roads

See also: List of county roads in Pasco County, Florida

• Interstate 75 runs north and south across the eastern part of the county. Once a major connecting point with Tampa, I-75 has been made obsolete for western residents of the county by the Suncoast Parkway.
• Suncoast Parkway enters the county in the south halfway between Gunn Highway and US 41, and ends in the far northern part of the county at County Line Road (Exit 37), The Suncoast Parkway is a recently constructed toll road that connects Pasco County with Hillsborough County, where it becomes the Veterans Expressway and heads directly into Tampa International Airport before reaching Interstate 275. SR 589 has four Pasco County exits: SR 54 (Exit 19), Ridge Road (Exit 25), SR 52 (Exit 27), and County Line Road (Exit 37).
• U.S. Route 19 is a major commercial center running beside to the Gulf of Mexico on the western edge of the county, and used as a primary connecting route to cities down the west coast of Florida, including Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg to the south, as well as Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, Homosassa and Crystal River to the north.
• 
  Alternate 19 is a former section of US 19 that runs closer to the Gulf of Mexico in Pinellas and southern Pasco County than US 19.
• U.S. Route 41 (Land o' Lakes Boulevard) is the main south-to-north U.S. Highway through Central Pasco County. It enters the county from Lutz in Hillsborough County and serves as a commercial strip through most of Land o' Lakes. Further north the road becomes more rural, passing through Gowers Corner, and eventually enters Masaryktown at the Hernando County Line.
• U.S. Route 98 runs northwest and southeast from Hernando County to Polk County. Concurrent with US 301 between Trilacoochee and Clinton Heights.
• U.S. Route 301 (Fort King Highway/Gall Boulevard) is the main south-to-north U.S. highway in eastern Pasco County. It enters the county from Hillsborough River State Park in Hillsborough County and becomes the main road in Zephyrhills, Clinton Heights, and Dade City. North of Dade City, the road runs through Trilacoochee and Trilby before it enters Ridge Manor in Hernando County at a bridge over the Withlacoochee River.
• State Road 39 runs northwest and southeast from Plant City into US 301 in Zephyrhills
• County Road 41 (Fort King Highway/17th Street/21st Street/Blanton Road) begins as a hidden state road along US 301 until it branches off to the northwest as a county road in Zephyrhills and runs parallel to US 301 until it reaches Dade City. From here it moves further to the west through Blanton and Jessamine, and after crossing over I-75 curves back north into rural Hernando County where it becomes CR 541.
• County Line Road (CR 578) is a major county road running entirely along the border with Hernando County beginning at US 19, intersects the Suncoast Parkway, and ends at US 41. Due to increased congestion, it is planned to be upgraded from two to four lanes, and possibly upgraded from a county road to a state road.
• State Road 52 (Colonel Schrader Memorial Highway) an east–west route that runs primarily through the center of the county from US 19 in Bayonet Point to US 98–301 in Dade City.
• State Road 54 (Gunn Highway/Fifth Avenue) another east–west road that runs through southern Pasco County, from US 19 near Holiday to US 301 in Zephyrhills.
• State Road 56 is an east–west route that extends from SR 54 near Land o' Lakes, to just east of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and the new campus of Pasco–Hernando State College in Wesley Chapel. The road was constructed in 2002, and is planned, as of 2016 ^[update] , to be extended to US 301 south of Zephyrhills.
• State Road 575 the northernmost state road in Pasco County.
• Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
• Rowan Road/East Lake Road (CR 77)
• Dale Mabry Highway
• Moon Lake Road/Decubellis Road/Massachusetts Avenue (CR 587) (N)
• Gunn Highway (CR 587) (S) is a short north and south extension of Gunn Highway(SR 54) that runs through Northern Hillsborough County towards Dale Mabry Highway and Busch Boulevard.
• Little Road (CR 1) is a major four to six lane county road in western Pasco County bypassing US 19 between southeast of Aripeka and Trinity.
• Trinity Boulevard (CR 996)

Public safety

Pasco County: The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is the law enforcement agency responsible for Pasco County and is the county's largest law enforcement agency.

Pasco County Fire Rescue (PCFR) provides fire protection and emergency medical services throughout the county. Pasco County Fire Rescue has 30 stations placed around the county. Their headquarters, located in Land o' Lakes holds the administration, staff chief, public information, community risk reduction, and ambulance billing departments. ^[32] The ambulance billing department oversees all ambulance billing including Citrus County, and Hernando County fire rescue. ^[33] Pasco County Fire Rescue also has a mobile integrated health program to help those after an overdose. The program can help patients with medical and dental needs, mental health and therapy, transportation to medical appointments, withdrawal management, counseling, and shelter/housing. ^[34] The agency has two arson investigators and three fire investigators that determine the origin and cause of fires throughout unincorporated Pasco County. Pasco County Fire Rescue conducts all fire inspections within the unincorporated portions of the county. ^[35]

The Pasco County Jail is managed by the Pasco County Corrections Department. ^[36]

New Port Richey: The New Port Richey Fire Department provides fire protection services within the City of New Port Richey. The Department has 2 Fire stations located within the City. Pasco County Fire Rescue covers all emergency medical services for the New Port Richey Fire Department. New Port Richey Police Department is the responsible law enforcement agency within the incorporated City of New Port Richey.

Port Richey: The Port Richey Fire Department provides fire protection services within the City of Port Richey. The Department has 1 Fire station located within the City. Pasco County Fire Rescue covers all emergency medical services for the Port Richey Fire Department. Port Richey Police Department is the responsible law enforcement agency within the incorporated City of Port Richey.

Dade City: Dade City Police Department is the responsible law enforcement agency covering incorporated Dade City. Pasco County Fire Rescue covers all fire protection and emergency medical services for the City of Dade City

Zephyrhills: Zephyrhills Police Department is the responsible law enforcement agency within the incorporated City of Zephyrhills. In September 2020, Pasco County Fire Rescue took over all fire rescue service responsibilities for the City of Zephyrhills. ^[37]

Education

Public schools in the county are operated by Pasco County Schools. ^[38]

The county has seen explosive growth in student enrollment, increasing from 46,458 students in the 1999-2000 year to 65,126 in the 2007-2008 year, an increase of 18,668 or 40.2%. The projected enrollment for the 2007-2008 was 64,674, so the actual enrollment was 452 students over the projection. ^{[39] [40] [ needs update ]} Yearly, the school district has grown 2,489 or 5.4%, which has led to the building of one new school a year.^{[ citation needed ]} The enrollment in 2020 is up to 81,157 students with a total of 10,151 staff.

High schools

• Anclote High School - Holiday
• Cypress Creek High School - Wesley Chapel
• Fivay High School - Hudson
• Gulf High School - New Port Richey
• Hudson High School - Hudson
• J. W. Mitchell High School - New Port Richey
• Land o' Lakes High School - Land o' Lakes
• Pasco eSchool
• Pasco High School - Dade City
• Ridgewood High School - New Port Richey
• River Ridge High School - New Port Richey
• Sunlake High School - Land o' Lakes
• Wesley Chapel High School - Wesley Chapel
• Wiregrass Ranch High School - Wesley Chapel
• Zephyrhills High School - Zephyrhills

Middle schools

• Bayonet Point Middle School - New Port Richey
• Centennial Middle School - Dade City
• Charles S. Rushe Middle School - Land o' Lakes
• Chasco Middle School - Port Richey
• Crews Lake Middle School - Spring Hill
• Cypress Creek Middle School - Wesley Chapel
• Dr. John Long Middle School - Wesley Chapel
• Gulf Middle School - New Port Richey
• Hudson Middle School - Hudson
• Pasco eSchool
• Pasco Middle School - Dade City
• Paul R. Smith Middle School - Holiday
• Pine View Middle School - Land o' Lakes
• River Ridge Middle School - New Port Richey
• Raymond B. Stewart Middle School - Zephyrhills
• Seven Springs Middle School - New Port Richey
• Thomas E. Weightman Middle School - Wesley Chapel

Elementary schools

• Anclote Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Bexley Elementary School - Land o' Lakes
• C. W. Taylor Elementary School - Zephyrhills
• Calusa Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Centennial Elementary School - Dade City
• Chasco Elementary School - Port Richey
• Connerton Elementary School - Land o' Lakes
• Cotee River Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Cypress Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Deer Park Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Denham Oaks Elementary School - Lutz
• Double Branch Elementary School - Wesley Chapel
• Fox Hollow Elementary School - Port Richey
• Gulf Highlands Elementary School - Port Richey
• Gulf Trace Elementary School - Holiday
• Gulfside Elementary School - Holiday
• Hudson Elementary School - Hudson
• J. M. Marlowe Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Lacoochee Elementary School - Dade City
• Lake Myrtle Elementary School - Land o' Lakes
• Longleaf Elementary School - New Port Richey
• M. P. Locke Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Mary Giella Elementary School - Shady Hills
• Moon Lake Elementary School - New Port Richey
• New River Elementary School - Wesley Chapel
• Northwest Elementary School - Hudson
• Oaksted Elementary School - Land o' Lakes
• Odessa Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Pasco Elementary School - Dade City
• Pine View Elementary School - Land o' Lakes
• Quail Hollow Elementary School - Wesley Chapel
• R. B. Cox Elementary School - Dade City
• Richey Elementary School - New Port Richey
• San Antonio Elementary School - Dade City
• Sand Pine Elementary School - Wesley Chapel
• Sanders Memorial Elementary School - Land o' Lakes
• Schrader Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Seven Oaks Elementary School - Wesley Chapel
• Seven Springs Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Shady Hills Elementary School - Spring Hill
• Sunray Elementary School - Holiday
• Trinity Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Trinity Oaks Elementary School - New Port Richey
• Veterans Elementary School - Wesley Chapel
• Watergrass Elementary School - Wesley Chapel
• Wesley Chapel Elementary School - Wesley Chapel
• West Zephyrhills Elementary School - Zephyrhills
• Wiregrass Elementary School - Wesley Chapel
• Woodland Elementary School - Zephyrhills

Special education centers

• F. K. Marchman Technical College - New Port Richey
• Harry Schwettman Education Center - New Port Richey
• James Irvin Education Center - Dade City

Charter schools

• Academy at the Farm (K-8) - Dade City
• Imagine School at Land O' Lakes ^[41]
• Classical Preparatory School (K-12) - Spring Hill ^[42]

Magnet schools

• Angeline Academy of Innovation ^[43]
• Starkey Ranch K-8 school ^[44]
• Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation ^[45]

Private schools

• Academy at the Lakes (JK–12) - Land o' Lakes
• Bishop Larkin Catholic School (EC–8) - Port Richey
• Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School (9–12) - Spring Hill
• Center Academy (4-12) - Lutz
• East Pasco Adventist Academy (K–10) - Dade City
• First Christian Academy (K-8) - New Port Richey
• Genesis Preparatory School (6–12) - New Port Richey
• Saint Anthony Catholic School (K–8) - San Antonio

Colleges and universities

• Pasco–Hernando State College
• Rasmussen College
• Saint Leo University
• Trinity College of Florida
• Webster College

Libraries

Pasco County Library Cooperative

The Pasco County Library Cooperative (PCLC) is the public library system that serves residents of Pasco County. ^[46] It consists of seven branch libraries and one cooperative partner, the Zephyrhills Public Library. ^[47] The Pasco County Libraries operated on a budget of $6,205,291 for fiscal year 2016–2017. Pasco Libraries circulated 2,623,024 items during that period. ^[48] The head of library services reports to the Assistant County Administrator for Public Services. ^[49]

Pasco County Library Cooperative Libraries

• Centennial Park Branch Library ^[50]
• Hudson Library ^[51]
• Hugh Embry Branch Library ^[52]
• Land o' Lakes Branch Library ^[53]
• New River Branch Library ^[54]
• Regency Park Branch Library ^[55]
• Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center ^[56]
• South Holiday Branch Library ^[57]
• Zephyrhills Public Library ^[58]

New Port Richey Public Library

The New Port Richey Public Library ^[59] is located in the New Port Richey area of Pasco County. It is the only public library in Pasco County that is not a part of the Pasco County Library Cooperative. Since the library is independent, it issues its own library cards. Cards are free for all Pasco County residents and for those who pay property taxes to the city of New Port Richey. Members of libraries which have reciprocal borrowing agreements with the NPR library are also issued free cards. ^[60]

Parks and recreation

Recreational areas include Hudson Beach, The New Port Richey Recreation & Aquatic Center, Odessa Community Park, Moon Lake Park, Land o' Lakes Heritage Park, Land o' Lakes Recreation Complex, Robert K Rees Memorial Park, Veterans Memorial Park, J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex, the Jay Starkey Preserve, Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park, a section of the Suncoast Trail, a section of the Withlacoochee State Trail, Conner Preserve, Cypress Creek Preserve, Withlacoochee River Park, and Crews Lake Wilderness Park. ^[61] Kayaking, canoeing, sailing, power boating, jet skiing, and fishing are popular along the coast, and large tracts are preserved from development.

Environmental lands acquired for preservation include Aripeka Sandhills Preserve, Boy Scout Preserve, Cypress Creek Preserve, Pasco County, Jumping Gully Preserve, Pasco Palms Preserve, Tierra Del Sol Preserve and Upper Pithlachascotee River Preserve.

Communities

Incorporated municipalities of Pasco County.

County map by the US Census

Name	Type of community	Population (2010)
Aripeka	Census-designated place
Bayonet Point	Census-designated place	23 467 [62]
Beacon Square	Census-designated place	7 224 [63]
Connerton	Census-designated place
Crystal Springs	Census-designated place
Dade City	City	6 437 [64]
Dade City North	Census-designated place
Elfers	Census-designated place	13 986 [65]
Heritage Pines	Census-designated place
Holiday	Census-designated place	22 403 [66]
Hudson	Census-designated place	12 158 [67]
Jasmine Estates	Census-designated place	18 989 [68]
Key Vista	Census-designated place
Lacoochee	Census-designated place
Land o' Lakes	Census-designated place	31 996 [69]
Meadow Oaks	Census-designated place
Moon Lake	Census-designated place
New Port Richey	City	14 911 [70]
New Port Richey East	Census-designated place	10 036 [71]
Odessa	Census-designated place	7 267 [72]
Pasadena Hills	Census-designated place	7 570 [73]
Port Richey	City
Quail Ridge	Census-designated place
River Ridge	Census-designated place	13 494 [74]
San Antonio	City
Shady Hills	Census-designated place	11 523 [75]
St. Leo	Town
Trilby	Census-designated place
Trinity	Census-designated place	10 907 [76]
Wesley Chapel	Census-designated place	44 092 [77]
Zephyrhills	City
Zephyrhills North	Census-designated place
Zephyrhills South	Census-designated place	5 276 [78]
Zephyrhills West	Census-designated place	5 865 [79]

Unincorporated communities

• Blanton
• Branchborough
• Darby
• Gulf Harbors
• Hudson Beach
• Jessamine
• Lumberton ^[80]
• Richland
• Seven Springs
• St. Joseph
• Starkey Ranch
• Trilacoochee
• Vitis

Notable residents

• The Bellamy Brothers, country duo from Darby known for the hit "Let Your Love Flow"
• John Cena, actor and professional wrestler; resides in Land o' Lakes. ^[81]
• Debbie Deb, freestyle singer; resides in New Port Richey
• Mudcat Grant, professional baseball player
• Brooke Magnanti, scientist and author of Secret Diary of a Call Girl , was born in New Port Richey. ^[82]

See also

See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Pasco County, Florida

Notes

1. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race. ^{[13] [14]}

References

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• History of Pasco County (1943) by Jefferson Alexis Hendley.
• Horgan, James J., Alice F. Hall, and Edward J. Herrmann, The Historic Places of Pasco County, Pasco County Historical Preservation Committee, Pasco County, Florida.

External links

• Official County Website
• Pasco Economic Development Council
• The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce

28°18′N82°26′W / 28.30°N 82.44°W / 28.30; -82.44