Hernando County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 130,802. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 165,409. Its county seat is Brooksville, Florida. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,526 km² (589 mi²). 1,239 km² (478 mi²) of it is land and 287 km² (111 mi²) of it (18.80%) is water. According to the World Atlas USA, Hernando County is the geographic center of Florida.

As of the census² of 2000, there were 130,802 people, 55,425 households, and 40,016 families residing in the county. The population density was 106/mi² (274/km²). There were 62,727 housing units at an average density of 51/mi² (131/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.85% White, 4.07% Black or African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.64% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.98% from other races, and 1.13% from two or more races. 5.04% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.