Pasco County, located in the western central part of Florida, has a population of around 561,891 as of 2020. This county offers a diversified mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas, with a variety of attractions, services, and possibilities for both inhabitants and visitors. Nonetheless, the livability and safety of various sections of Pasco County varied.
Some communities have greater rates of crime, poverty, unemployment, and other social issues. Based on the most recent statistics from sources such as the United States Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, below are the five communities in Pasco County, Florida, that are confronting the most severe issues.
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1. New Port Richey
New Port Richey, a city in Pasco County with a population of about 17,000 in 2020, is situated on the Gulf of Mexico. The city faces economic inequities, with a typical household income of $36,000, which is lower than both the county and state norms. New Port Richey has the county’s highest crime rate, with 3,023.4 property crimes and 972.1 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2018.
The city has a moderate educational attainment rate, with just 19.9% of individuals holding a bachelor’s degree or above, compared to 26.1% in the county and 30.1% in the state. The city also has a greater poverty rate, with 23.2% of inhabitants falling into it, exceeding both county and state estimates.
2. Lacoochee
Lacoochee, another CDP in Pasco County, had over 1,700 inhabitants in 2020. This area, located in the northeast part of the county, suffers economic issues, with a typical family income of $25,000, the lowest in the county and one of the lowest in the state. The crime rate of Lacoochee is high, with 3,965.1 property crimes and 597.2 violent crimes per 100,000 persons in 2019.
Furthermore, Lacoochee has a serious lack of educational achievement, with just 8.8% of people holding a bachelor’s degree or above, which contrasts sharply with county and state norms. The poverty rate of Lacoochee is shockingly high, at 46.9%, greatly above county and state averages.
3. Zephyrhills
Zephyrhills, a city in Pasco County with a population of around 15,000 as of 2020, has economic inequalities, with a typical family income of $37,000, which is less than the county and state norms. The city has a higher crime rate, with 3,209.6 property crimes and 595.5 violent crimes per 100,000 population in 2019.
Zephyrhills has low educational attainment, with just 15.8% of people holding a bachelor’s degree or more, compared to 26.1% in the county and 30.1% in the state. Furthermore, the city has a higher poverty rate, with 20.8% of inhabitants falling into poverty, above both the county and state averages.
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4. Holiday
Holiday, a census-designated place (CDP) inside Pasco County, with a population of around 21,000 in 2020. Holiday, located near the Gulf of Mexico, has a typical family income of $38,000, which is lower than both the county and the state norms. The area has a high crime rate, with 3,023.4 property crimes and 790.3 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019.
Furthermore, educational attainment is very low, with just 18.9% of people having a bachelor’s degree or above, compared to 26.1% in the county and 30.1% in the state. Furthermore, a sizable number of Holiday inhabitants live below the federal poverty level, at 17.8%, exceeding both county and state estimates.
5. Port Richey
Port Richey, a city in Pasco County, has a population of around 3,300 in 2020. The city, located along the Gulf of Mexico, has a typical household income of $34,000, which is lower than both the county and the state average. The city has a very high crime rate, with 6,760.1 property crimes and 525.4 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2018.
Port Richey also has a lower educational attainment rate, with just 16.4% of people holding a bachelor’s degree or above, compared to 26.1% in the county and 30.1% in the state. Furthermore, the poverty rate of Port Richey is 22.9%, higher than the county and state averages.