As of February 1997, Hernando County's population, according to local estimates, was 121,783. According to the U.S. Census Bureau the medium population projection for 2000 is 138,600. Hernando County's population is almost evenly divided among men and women with 52 percent of the population female and 48 percent male. In terms of age distribution, the population is relatively older. Individuals 18 and over account for 81 percent of the population.
Ethnic distribution is shown in the following table.
In addition, Hernando County has several unincorporated areas with large population densities. The labor force consists of approximately 43,000 people. Unemployment for 1996 was 3.7 percent.