CITRUS COUNTY
Real Estate
|
2007 |
2008 |
4/2009 |
| Median Price* Single Family Home |
$208,900 |
$169,500 |
$135,200 |
| Median Price* Condominium |
$169,400 |
$142,500 |
$99,200 |
* Median Price of 101 homes sold would be that price which is lower than 50 of the prices and also higher
than 50 of the prices. In other words, there are homes and condominiums available in every price range in
Citrus County. Median prices shown above are for the Tampa/Saint Petersburg/Clearwater MSA, of which Citrus
County is a part. The statistics are meant to give you a feel for the area as compared to others you may be
considering and to show the direction of the market.
Taxes
Visit the Buy a Home in Florida section on our Home Page for comprehensive property tax information.
Weather
Average High/Low in January 68/44, in July 91/71
Citrus County is located approximately mid-state, bordering the Gulf of Mexico, about 70 miles north of Tampa and 60 miles northwest of Orlando. Inverness is the County Seat and the small towns of Citrus Hill, Citrus Springs, Homosassa Springs and Hernando are popular choices with retirees. They say that in the heart of Florida you'll discover its soul. Citrus County is a natural paradise with freshwater rivers and lakes, lush coastal salt marshes and clear springs that are home to the nation's largest population of endangered manatees. Citrus County is the only place in the US where one can actually snorkel with manatees in the waterways. Decades of community determination have saved the precious coastal marshes, the pure, clean-running springs and the rivers and lakes from the development and pollution that are so prevalent elsewhere. This is truly The Water Lover’s Florida. Coastal towns and inland towns vary significantly. Inland you’ll find hills and elegant nineteenth-century homes on oak tree covered brick streets. There are also many new developments that cater to the over 55 crowd throughout the county. You can find less expensive manufactured or mobile home developments, gated communities of homes built on several acres and modestly priced site built homes in communities with amenities including golf.
Events
Parks & Recreation
Citrus County abounds with State parks and National Wildlife Refuges. In Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, you can see West Indian manatees every day of the year from the park's underwater observatory in the main spring. The park showcases native Florida wildlife, including manatees, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river otters At the Wildlife Encounter programs, snakes and other native animals are featured. Recreational opportunities include picnicking, nature study, and bird-watching. The park features a children's education center, providing hands-on experiences about Florida's environment.
On the east side of the county there is an extensive hiking trail system through the Withlacoochee State Forest while Fort Cooper State Park, in Inverness, offers a shorter trail through a hardwood hammock that loops past a finger of Lake Holathlikaha. Other hiking trails include Flying Eagle Preserve and Potts Preserve which are wetter and offer a different variety of species. On the west side of the county, nature trails within the St. Martin's Marsh Aquatic Preserve/State Buffer Reserve off Dixie Drive traverse through a number of habitats including coastal hammock, salt marsh, pond pine flatwoods and scrub.
Shore birds and sea birds can be observed from the Fort Island Gulf Beach and the Cross Florida Greenway (formerly the Cross Florida Barge Canal).
Whether you own an inboard or outboard (or the traditional manpower), sailboat, jet ski, or pontoon, there's a water body ready to accommodate your needs. Citrus County maintains a number of public boat ramps throughout the area and if you are looking for a more permanent mooring, there are a number of privately owned marinas and boat storage yards.
The Nature Coast Canoe/Kayak Trail begins on the Salt River off Crystal River (near the Marine Science Center) and follows markers on the Salt River South to the Homosassa River. It takes a paddler through some of the most pristine salt marshes in the Southeast. Year-round wildlife in the area includes osprey, eagles, a variety of wading birds, manatees, dolphins, alligators, and raccoons.
The springs and rivers offer enjoyable experiences for everyone from novice snorkelers to experienced SCUBA divers. Four separate and beautiful spring fed rivers cut into our gulf coast landscape. Our most popular, the Crystal River, offers divers and snorkelers many unique opportunities.
If you are a freshwater fisherman, you have your choice of sunshine bass in the Lake Tsala Apopka chain, speckled perch in Lake Rousseau, catfish in the Withlacoochee or the ultimate southern quarry, the Florida Largemouth Bass, just about everywhere.
If saltwater is more to your liking, you can seek grouper and snapper at the reefs and rock piles off the coast, sea trout and Spanish mackerel on the grass beds, cobia and sheepshead at the markers, redfish and whiting off the oyster bars, and record size tarpon working the flats. Be sure to visit our Your Florida Lifestyle section for more information on fishing in Florida.
Every year, from July 1 to mid-September, scalloping comes to Citrus County. Part snorkeling experience, part treasure dive and part saltwater fishing trip, scalloping along the unspoiled shores of Crystal River and Homosassa provides a salty adventure to fishers of all ages. Citrus County’s bay scallops rest under about five or six feet of water, just offshore along the grassy lip of the Gulf of Mexico. All it takes is a snorkel, a mask, a mesh bag and a saltwater fishing license to get in on the action.
Biking is great exercise and a wonderful way to see a variety of natural settings found in Citrus County. If this is your favorite way to go, you can choose from a cross-country excursion, a meandering scenic day ride or a more primitive off-road track. A popular route is the recently established Withlacoochee State Trail. Formerly a railroad right-of-way, the 47-mile trail is paved its entire length through Citrus County. Rental bikes and roller blades are available in the downtown Inverness area.
Mother Nature made Citrus County 'a natural' when it comes to equestrian activities. Whether you want a day's ride or a full equestrian camping trip, the facilities you need are here. Also, you may trailer your own horse or rent one when you arrive. Whatever your choices, the fun of riding through some of the most beautiful public lands in Citrus County is available to you.
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for more information on fishing and our Guide to Establishing Florida Residency for Florida fishing license information.
Beaches
Most people are attracted to Citrus County for reasons other than the beaches!
The coastline of Citrus County is a mix of wetlands, marshes and forests with a few small islands; nothing like the coastline and barrier islands of more southern counties. Beaches are rare and we know of only one. Fort Island Gulf Beach is in Crystal River.
Check out The Florida Beach Book! for comprehensive information on all Florida beaches and the best Florida restaurants on or near them!
Golf
It's not an overstatement to brag that Citrus County features some of the best golfing opportunities in the world. For Florida, Citrus County features a wide varied topography, which means the numerous golfing opportunities in the county are very different, and equally challenging for golfers of all abilities. At least two of the 14 local courses are widely known, attracting golfers from all over the county to match their skills with those popular courses. The El Diablo course in Citrus Springs was honored in 1999 as the top public golf course in the nation.
Visit Your Florida Lifestyle for additional golf information.
Sports
Please refer to the Your Florida Lifestyle section for comprehensive spectator and participatory sports information.
Hospitals
Citrus Memorial Hospital
Seven Rivers Regional Medical Center
Visit Florida Medical Resources for comprehensive information including Florida hospital ratings.
Colleges
Central Florida Community College http://citrus.cf.edu/
Airports
Shopping
Shopping in Citrus County presents a delightful interlude of treasure hunting. Our specialized stores will tempt you with period clothing and costume jewelry, timepieces, gourmet food items, outdoor sports equipment, inexpensive souvenirs, imported tea and precious collectibles that are as much fun to give as to keep. Take the time to chat with the proprietor and add a new friend to your circle.
Citrus County, Florida, Cities and Towns
Incorporated
Unincorporated
Additional Resources:
Citrus County Government http://www.citruscountyfl.org/
Visitor Information http://www.visitcitrus.com/
If you would like to get a feel for home prices in Citrus County, visit www.zillow.com and search for recent homes sold.
If you would prefer to save precious time and would like personalized assistance, call or email us today to take advantage of our free Florida Relocation Services. We’ll answer all of your questions and if the timing is right for you, we’ll introduce you to one of the best real estate agents in Citrus County who can provide detailed information and professional assistance.
