| Citrus County is a county with an estimated population of 134,370, as of 2005. Its county seat is Inverness, and it also includes Crystal River and Dunnellon. Citrus County was created in 1887 and was named for its citrus trees. Though citrus production declined after the "Big Freeze" of 1894-1895, citrus is now grown on one large grove, Bellamy Grove. Phosphate mining also played a major part in the history of Citrus County until it was moved overseas after WWII. The total area is 773 square miles of which 189 square miles is water. The Phosphate Times is the first newspaper of Citrus County. |