Is Brooksville Safe, Pros and cons of living in Brooksville

Is it Safe to Live in Brooksville?

Brooksville faces challenges regarding safety, with crime rates higher than both national and state averages. The overall crime rate is 3,818 per 100,000 people, which is 64.3% higher than the national average (as reported by 2-11-2026). Violent crime is also a concern, standing at 613 per 100,000 people, exceeding the national rate by 65.8% (as reported by 2-11-2026).

Property crime rates are also elevated, at 3,205 per 100,000, which is 64% above the national average (as reported by 2-11-2026). While these statistics indicate a higher risk than many other areas, it’s important to note that crime can vary significantly by neighborhood. Some areas within Brooksville are considered safer than others, with residents generally viewing the western part of the city as the safest (as reported by 17-4-2026).

Housing Costs and Availability

The housing market in Brooksville presents a mixed picture for potential residents. The median home value in Brooksville was $309,255 as of February 2026, reflecting a slight decrease of 3.0% over the preceding year (as reported by 22-2-2026). However, another report indicates that in March 2026, home prices were up 10.1% compared to the previous year, with a median price of $387,000 (as reported by 15-3-2026).

Rental costs in Brooksville are generally lower than the national average. As of March 2026, the average rent was approximately $1,678 per month, which is 15.05% lower than the national average (as reported by 10-3-2026). Other sources suggest an average rent of $1,312 per month as of May 2026, which is 20% lower than the national average (as reported by 4-5-2026).

Home Prices

Brooksville’s home prices show some variation depending on the source and timeframe. One report states the median home value is $199,676 (as reported by 7-4-2025). However, more recent data from Zillow indicates an average home value of $310,230 as of March 2026, a 2.9% decrease from the previous year (as reported by 10-3-2026).

Redfin reports a median listing home price of $269,000 for homes for sale in Brooksville, FL (as reported by 30-1-2026). The median sale price in Brooksville was $387,000 in March 2026, with the median sale price per square foot at $220, an increase of 12.2% from the previous year (as reported by 15-3-2026).

Rental Rates

For those considering renting, Brooksville offers more affordable options compared to the national average. The average rent for an apartment in Brooksville is currently $1,599 (as reported by 18-5-2026), representing a 6% decrease from the previous year. This average rent is lower than the national median rent (as reported by 18-5-2026).

Specific rental costs can vary by unit size. A studio apartment averages around $1,182 per month, a one-bedroom is about $1,312, and a two-bedroom is approximately $1,448 (as reported by 4-5-2026). Three-bedroom rentals can be expected to cost $1,863 or more per month (as reported by 4-5-2026).

Cost of Living

Brooksville’s overall cost of living is generally lower than the national average, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious individuals. The cost of living in Brooksville, FL is 19% lower than the national average (as reported by 9-9-2025). This is largely driven by significantly lower housing expenses, which are 67% below the national average (as reported by 9-9-2025).

While housing is notably affordable, other expenses show a more varied trend. Utility prices are slightly higher than the national average, at 7% more (as reported by 9-9-2025). Transportation costs, including gas prices and bus fares, are also marginally higher by 1% (as reported by 9-9-2025).

Groceries and Utilities

When it comes to daily expenses, grocery prices in Brooksville are slightly higher than the national average, by about 6% (as reported by 9-9-2025). Healthcare costs in Brooksville are more affordable, running 8% lower than the national average (as reported by 9-9-2025).

Energy costs are also a factor, with utility prices being 7% higher than the national average (as reported by 9-9-2025). This slight increase in utilities should be considered alongside the more significant savings found in housing and other categories.

Transportation and Other Expenses

Transportation expenses in Brooksville, such as bus fares and gas prices, are marginally higher than the national average by 1% (as reported by 9-9-2025). This minimal increase means that getting around the city is generally comparable to national averages in terms of cost.

Other miscellaneous expenses can also influence the overall cost of living. While specific data on these varied costs is not readily available, the general trend suggests that Brooksville offers a more affordable lifestyle primarily due to its lower housing market.

Job Market and Economy

Brooksville’s job market presents a mixed economic landscape with an unemployment rate that is lower than the national average. The unemployment rate in Brooksville stands at 7.3% (as reported by 6-6-2025). However, another source indicates that the employment rate in Brooksville, FL, is currently 95.51%, meaning the unemployment rate is 4.49% (as reported by 13-1-2026).

The majority of the working population in Brooksville is employed in professional or administrative positions, accounting for 80.4% of jobs. The remaining 19.6% are in hands-on or service-based roles (as reported by 6-6-2025). A significant portion, 69.2%, work for private companies, while 10.6% are employed in the public sector (as reported by 6-6-2025).

Major Employers and Industries

Information on specific major employers in Brooksville is not detailed in the provided search results. However, the workforce composition indicates a strong presence in professional and administrative sectors, suggesting that industries supporting these roles are likely significant. Public administration also plays a role in the local employment structure (as reported by 6-6-2025).

The county-level employment count for Hernando County, which includes Brooksville, covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. The average annual pay in the county was $50,502 (as reported by 43-1-2024). The top industry in the county is Public Administration (as reported by 43-1-2024).

Salaries and Wages

Salaries in Brooksville show a wide range, with an average annual pay reported at $198,059 as of April 2026 (as reported by 27-4-2026). This figure appears to be an outlier, as other sources provide different averages. The median wage is around $42.3K per year (as reported by 35-5-2026), with a 25th percentile wage of $30.6K and a 75th percentile wage of $64.7K (as reported by 35-5-2026).

Another source states the average yearly salary in Brooksville is $51,223 (as reported by 33-1-2026). The median household income in Brooksville is reported as $47,498 (as reported by 7-4-2025), which is significantly lower than the average salary figures. The income per capita in Brooksville is 17% lower than the national average (as reported by 42-1-2025).

Climate and Weather

Brooksville experiences a warm subtropical climate, characterized by hot, humid summers and mild, relatively dry winters. The average annual temperature typically ranges from a low of 46°F to a high of 90°F, with temperatures rarely dropping below 31°F or exceeding 93°F (as reported by 12-12-2025).

Summers are long and hot, lasting from May to October, with average daily high temperatures above 86°F. The hottest month is August, with highs around 90°F and lows of 73°F. Winters are short and cool, from December to February, with average daily high temperatures below 73°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows around 47°F and highs of 70°F (as reported by 12-12-2025).

Temperature and Rainfall

The average annual rainfall in Brooksville is approximately 53 inches (as reported by 7-4-2025). July is typically the wettest month, with an average monthly precipitation of 9 inches (as reported by 21-5-2025). Summers tend to be wetter than winters, with rainfall peaking from June through September (as reported by 21-5-2025).

Snowfall is nonexistent in Brooksville (as reported by 7-4-2025). Humidity levels rise significantly during the summer months, contributing to muggy conditions, particularly in May and October (as reported by 21-5-2025).

Sunshine and Best Times to Visit

Brooksville enjoys about 3,130 hours of sunshine annually. The sunniest months are typically April, May, and October, when clear skies are present more than 70% of the time (as reported by 21-5-2025). The clearest part of the year begins around September 29 and lasts until June 7.

The most comfortable times to visit Brooksville are from January through April and again from November to December. During these periods, the city experiences pleasant temperatures, lower humidity, and abundant sunshine, making it ideal for outdoor activities. It is advisable to avoid the hot and muggy summer months when comfort levels decrease due to heat and high precipitation (as reported by 21-5-2025).

Education and Schools

Brooksville, FL, is served by the Hernando County School District, which includes a total of 19 public schools educating approximately 12,764 students. The district has an overall “B” grade, indicating it is above average (as reported by 39-1-2026). Within the district, 91% of K-12 students attend public schools, which is slightly higher than the Florida state average of 86% (as reported by 29-9-2026).

However, the performance of Brooksville’s public schools, when compared to state averages, shows some areas for improvement. Public schools in Brooksville have an average math proficiency score of 41% and a reading proficiency score of 43%, both below the Florida public school averages of 52% for each subject (as reported by 29-9-2026). The schools in Brooksville have an average ranking of 2 out of 10, placing them in the bottom 50% of Florida public schools (as reported by 29-9-2026).

Top-Ranked Schools

Despite the overall lower rankings, some schools in Brooksville stand out. The top-ranked public schools include Hernando Eschool Virtual Franchise, Chocachatti Elementary School, and Brooksville Elementary School (as reported by 29-9-2026). These schools are recognized for their academic performance and serve a significant number of students in the area.

Brooksville Elementary School, for example, serves grades PK-5 and has a student-teacher ratio of 15.6:1 (as reported by 41-1-2025). While it has a Niche grade of B- and a GreatSchools Rating of 3 out of 10, its student body is diverse, with 63% White, 16.2% Hispanic, and 12.7% African American students (as reported by 41-1-2025).

School District Performance

The Hernando County School District is ranked 48th out of 67 districts in Florida, holding a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger (as reported by 41-1-2025). Brooksville Elementary School has consistently ranked in the bottom half of Florida elementary schools over the past several years (as reported by 41-1-2025). Test scores at Brooksville Elementary also lag behind district and state averages, for instance, 5th-grade science proficiency was 38% compared to the district’s 53% and the state’s 55% (as reported by 41-1-2025).

A notable aspect of Brooksville Elementary is the high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, which is significantly higher than the state average (as reported by 41-1-2025). This indicates a substantial portion of the student population comes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Demographics

Brooksville, Florida, is home to an estimated population of 9,457 residents as of recent data, showing an increase from the 8,890 recorded in the 2020 Census (as reported by 25-5-2025). The population is predominantly White, making up 64.8% of residents, followed by Hispanic at 15.1%, and Black at 12.2% (as reported by 25-5-2025). This demographic makeup is considerably less diverse than Florida overall.

The racial diversity of Brooksville has increased since the 2020 Census. While the White population share has decreased from 70.2% to 64.8%, the Hispanic population share has grown significantly from 10.6% to 15.1% (as reported by 25-5-2025). The Black population share has seen a slight decrease from 13.9% to 12.2% (as reported by 25-5-2025).

Population and Age Distribution

Brooksville has a median age of 48 years (as reported by 6-6-2025). The age distribution shows a significant portion of the population in older age brackets, with approximately 28.9% being 65 or older. Adults between 25 and 44 make up 21.2% of the population, while another 22.7% fall into the 45 to 64 bracket (as reported by 6-6-2025).

Children under 15 constitute about 11.9% of the population, and those aged 15 to 24 represent 15.3% (as reported by 6-6-2025). This age composition suggests a community with a notable presence of older adults, potentially contributing to a quieter lifestyle.

Citizenship and Diversity

A high percentage of Brooksville residents are U.S. citizens, with 97.9% of residents being citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2% (as reported by 2-11-2024). In 2024, 4.49% of Brooksville residents were born outside of the country (as reported by 2-11-2024).

The city is less racially diverse than Florida as a whole. While the White population is more represented in Brooksville compared to the state average, the Hispanic and Black populations are less represented (as reported by 25-5-2025). This indicates a community with a strong core demographic, though with increasing diversity in recent years.