Nature draws retirees and families to Inverness
Inverness got its name in the late 1800s when a Scottish settler saw the town’s lush setting along Henderson Lake and thought it resembled the Highlands of his home city. Today, nature remains a major draw, with the Withlacoochee State Trail linking fishing spots, boat launches and huge parks. “We have a decent mix of retirees and young families who move here to be outside and live a good distance away from major cities,” says Lyndsee Philipps, a Realtor with Century 21, who has lived in town her whole life. About 70 miles from Tampa and Orlando, Inverness is the vibrant seat of Citrus County and home to roughly 8,000 residents. Locals often gather at restaurants along Old Main Street, walk to the bi-monthly farmers markets and enjoy quirky community events like Cootertober. “You really get a hometown feel here,” Philipps says. “No matter where I go in town, I almost always run into someone I know, and we stop and chat for like 20 minutes.”
Some homes sit on Lake Henderson
Inverness's ranch-style homes and New Traditional houses often feature contemporary design elements or Mediterranean influences, such as tiled roofs and arched doorways. Live oak trees usually shade lawns, and some houses back up to Henderson Lake with boat slips and docks. Smaller homes can cost between $100,000 and $375,000, while larger ones typically range from about $400,000 to around $675,000. Waterfront properties may go for between $700,000 and $1 million. The median single-family sale price is around $255,000, which is less than the national median. Hurricanes can impact the area, and some homes are vulnerable to flooding.
Withlacoochee State Trail links with the town's most popular green spa
The 47-mile-long Withlacoochee State Trail runs from Citrus Springs to Dale City. Within Inverness, the path connects to the downtown district and several green spaces, including Whispering Pine Park, which has a swimming pool, tennis courts and more sports facilities. It also reaches Liberty Park on Lake Henderson, where people can dock their boats, walk along a palm tree-shaded boardwalk and catch largemouth bass. Across the street, The Depot is a big pavilion that hosts a farmers market on the first and third Saturdays of each month. Walking or biking along the trail is part of many residents’ weekend routines. “People will buy a bunch of food at the farmers market, then walk over to Liberty Park and have a little picnic by the water,” Philipps says. A cluster of islands on the lake makes up Flying Eagle Preserve, where people can hike, hunt and boat amid marshland and dense forests. A public library and the Inverness Golf & Country Club are also in town.
Elvis Presley once filmed a movie in downtown Inverness
The Neoclassical-style Old Courthouse Heritage Museum sits at the end of Old Main Street, where boutiques, bars and restaurants fill Italianate-style buildings. Fish mounts and neon beer signage decorate Stumpknockers, known for its fried gator nuggets and catfish dinners. A glowing marquee welcomes visitors into the Valerie Theatre before they attend performances, like jazz concerts and dance recitals. In 1961, “Follow That Dream,” starring Elvis Presley, was filmed in this downtown district. “People who lived here back then still brag about seeing Elvis walk around,” Philipps says. Grocery stores in the area include Winn-Dixie, Walmart Supercenter and Publix.
Citrus High has special programs for military families
Citrus County Schools serve the community. Kids can attend Pleasant Grove Elementary, which Niche grades a B-minus. They may continue to Inverness Middle and Citrus High, both of which earn C-pluses. With several military recruitment centers and a National Guard armory in the area, the high school offers transition support and academic assistance to military families.
Concerts and a carnival celebrate Cootertober
Cootertober, a month-long event held in October every year, honors the town's native cooter turtle population. “Turtles are basically the mascot for Cootertober, but everything we do that month is pretty random and unrelated,” Philipps says. Tribute bands and country artists perform outside the historic courthouse every weekend, while potato sack races and food trucks celebrate the one-day-only Cooter Carnival at Liberty Park. The Depot transforms into an amateur wrestling ring for the Small Town Slam, and festivities wrap up on Cooterween when kids trick-or-treat at businesses along Old Main Street.
Some people commute to Tampa or Orlando
Inverness is a car-dependent community with easy access to a few highways. U.S. Route 41 connects with other routes to reach Tampa, and state Road 44 takes drivers to Orlando. Although major employers, like HCA Florida Citrus Hospital, are based in town, some residents drive to these cities for work. “Commuters end up spending over two hours a day in the car, but they would rather do that than live in a big city,” Philipps says. Both cities have international airports. Citrus County Transit offers bus routes throughout the town.
