Guides · Spring Hill, Florida
Spring Hill FL Markets & Local Producers Guide
Spring Hill was almost Spring Lake, until the developers found out the name was already taken locally. The town went up in 1967 as a planned community by the Deltona Corporation and the Mackle Brothers, and it still reads as a product sold by the acre — a mid-century Florida land development with a waterfall at the gate and a mermaid show down the road.
The Name That Wasn't
The area first appeared on county maps in 1856, but the community itself is a 1967 project. The developers wanted Spring Lake and used that name throughout planning. It was taken. So they settled on Spring Hill. That's the whole joke — a town named after the second choice, and the second choice stuck.
Where to Get Ice Cream, Coffee, and Cake
The sweet tooth circuit runs heavy on Commercial Way and Mariner Boulevard. Twistee Treat Spring Hill at 13200 Cortez Blvd and Twistee Treat Spring Hill 2 at 1329 Commercial Way both sit at 4.5 stars from a combined 3,385 reviews. Papa Clyde's Two Ice Cream on Mariner Blvd holds 4.8 from 1,098 reviews, while Papa Clyde's Ice Cream on Kass Cir runs 4.7 from 940. Tipacanoe Creamery on Commercial Way is the top-rated of the bunch at 4.9 from 658 reviews. 787 House Of Sugar on Mariner Blvd matches that 4.9 from 471 reviews, and Just Scoops & The Dog Haus Deluxe on Commercial Way also hits 4.9 from 470.
For the chain coffee crowd, Panera Bread at 1403 Commercial Way, Dunkin' at 10455 County Line Rd, Starbucks at 4667 Commercial Way, and Starbucks Coffee Company at 190 Mariner Blvd all have their usual ratings in the 4.1 to 4.2 range. sweetFrog on Commercial Way offers a frozen yogurt option at 4.5 from 772 reviews. Cupcake Heaven on Forest Rd rounds out the bakeries at 4.7 from 455 reviews.
The Shopping Situation
Towne Square Mall at 3021 Commercial Way is rated 3.7 from 787 reviews — a mall that exists, and that's about what the rating says. ABC Fine Wine & Spirits at 4120 Commercial Way does better at 4.6 from 761 reviews. Ford Spring Hill at 3335 Commercial Way is technically a dealership, but it's rated 4.4 from 1,265 reviews, so someone out there likes buying cars here.
The Numbers
Spring Hill has 118,814 people with a median age of 43.3 years. The median household income is $66,557, and the median home value is $248,400. Median gross rent runs $1,301. Of the 48,593 housing units, 3,608 are vacant and 1,264 are held for seasonal or recreational use. Only 19.7 percent of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and unemployment sits at 6.1 percent. These are the numbers of a place that was built as a product, not a community — and then became one anyway.
What's Actually Around
The Spring Hill waterfall at US 19 and Spring Hill Drive is the development's original gateway feature. It's still there. So is Harold's Garage, a dinosaur-shaped filling station, and the pink apatosaurus standing on US 19. The Nature Coast Botanical Gardens offers something quieter.
Weeki Wachee Springs sits on the doorstep — the live mermaid show has been running since the 1940s, and Buccaneer Bay is Florida's only spring-fed water park. That's the real draw, and Spring Hill is the place you drive through to get there.
Day Trips
If you want a festival, you'll have to leave town. Dade City is 25 miles away with the Kumquat Festival. Clermont is 56 miles out with Pig on the Pond. Cedar Key is 58 miles with the Cedar Key Seafood Festival. Mount Dora is 66 miles with both the Mount Dora Arts Festival and the Mount Dora Craft Fair. Altamonte Springs is 79 miles with Red Hot & Boom. Spring Hill doesn't host its own annual events — it just sends you somewhere else.
Common questions
- Why is it called Spring Hill and not Spring Lake?
- The developers wanted Spring Lake, but that name was already taken locally. They settled on Spring Hill instead. It was a planned development by the Deltona Corporation and the Mackle Brothers, built starting in 1967.
- Where can I get ice cream or dessert in Spring Hill?
- You have plenty of options. Papa Clyde's Two Ice Cream on Mariner Blvd has a 4.8 rating, and Tipacanoe Creamery on Commercial Way has a 4.9. Just Scoops & The Dog Haus Deluxe and 787 House Of Sugar also rate 4.9.
- Is there a mall or shopping center in Spring Hill?
- Yes, Towne Square Mall is at 3021 Commercial Way, rated 3.7 from 787 reviews. For other shopping, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits on Commercial Way has a 4.6 rating, and Ford Spring Hill is also there.
- What is the weird dinosaur thing on US 19?
- That's Harold's Garage, a dinosaur-shaped filling station, with a pink apatosaurus standing on US 19. It's a local landmark from the development era, not a real operating garage anymore.
- Can I see mermaids near Spring Hill?
- Yes, Weeki Wachee Springs is right on the doorstep. It's a live mermaid show running since the 1940s, plus Buccaneer Bay, Florida's only spring-fed water park. It's a short drive from town.
- What are the demographics of Spring Hill?
- Population is 118,814, with a median age of 43.3. Median household income is $66,557, and median home value is $248,400. About 19.7% have a bachelor's degree or higher, and unemployment is 6.1%.
Every business named above is one we hold a listing for, and every date traces to a source on our sources page. We do not describe menus, interiors or service we have not verified. Details change — confirm before you travel.