2514 Hwy 44 W, Inverness, FL 34453

High-Exposure Commercial Development Site | SR 44 | Inverness, FL | Tampa MSA

Located directly on heavily traveled SR 44, just a few parcels from a controlled intersection, this property offers exceptional accessibility and visibility to a broad customer base within Inverness, in Citrus County. The subject property totals ±0.67 acres and is zoned C-Commercial within the city limits of Inverness, with the ability to connect to newly expanded municipal water and sewer services.

The site features approximately 150 feet of frontage on SR 44, boasting ±29,560 AADT, and provides unrestricted ingress and egress for both eastbound and westbound commuter traffic—an increasingly rare attribute along this corridor. With commercial zoning, jurisdictional utilities, and strong access, the property is well suited for a variety of uses including QSR with drive-thru, restaurant (up to ±2,000 SF), retail, medical or professional office, automotive, and other service-oriented commercial uses.

The property is strategically positioned near Historic Downtown Inverness, home to major civic and institutional anchors including Citrus Memorial Hospital, the Citrus County Courthouse, the Tax Collector’s Office, and City Hall. Within a two-mile radius, the area supports a strong national and regional retail presence featuring Walmart, Lowe’s, TJ Maxx, multiple grocery stores, quick-service restaurants, and sit-down dining options.

Within a 15-minute drive, the property serves a population of approximately 36,848 residents, with a median age of 64 and median household income of $52,000, growing at an annual rate of 2.93%. Local consumer expenditures for healthcare exceed $57 million annually, with more than $20 million dedicated to physician services, reinforcing the area’s strength for medical, wellness, and professional uses.

The City of Inverness has made significant public investments in revitalization, including newly constructed lakefront amenities such as Liberty Park, Wallace Brooks Park, and the Depot District, enhancing quality of life and long-term economic vitality. Additionally, the recent $135 million expansion of the Suncoast Parkway, along with planned future extensions, positions Citrus County for continued growth as part of the Tampa–St. Petersburg–Clearwater MSA.

Within an expanded 15-minute trade area, the property captures an ideal customer base of approximately 46,361 residents, with an average age of 58 and median household income of $65,000. Consumer data indicates that 66% of residents dine at sit-down restaurants, 89% frequent fast-food establishments, and healthcare expenditures exceed $106 million annually, driven by the area’s age-weighted demographics.

The site also provides convenient access to surrounding communities including Floral City (5 miles), Lecanto (12.3 miles), Beverly Hills (15.1 miles), Crystal River (16.6 miles), and Homosassa (18.8 miles). Citrus County, currently home to approximately 153,600 residents, is projected under the County’s Land Development Code to accommodate population growth approaching 350,000 residents by 2030, further strengthening long-term demand fundamentals.

Prime Surroundings and Development Potential

This property is positioned near Historic Downtown Inverness, home to key civic and healthcare landmarks including:

• Citrus Memorial Hospital and Citrus County Memorial Hospital

• County Courthouse and City Hall

• Tax Collector's Office

Within a 2-mile radius, you'll find a robust mix of national retailers such as Walmart, Lowe's, TJ Maxx, major grocers, quick-service restaurants (QSRs), and sit-down dining options.

Demographics & Consumer Expenditures

The area surrounding this property provides a thriving and affluent customer base:

• 15-minute drive time: Population of 46,361 residents with an average age of 58 and a median household income of $65,000, growing at 2.93% annually.

• Healthcare expenditures: Over $106 million annually, including $20 million in physician services.

• Dining trends:

  • 66% of residents frequent restaurants and steakhouses.

  • 89% dine at fast-food establishments.

City Investments and Growth

The City of Inverness has undergone significant enhancements with investments in public amenities, including the newly constructed Liberty, Wallace Brooks, and Depot District lakefront parks.

Regional Connectivity and Economic Outlook

The recent $135 million expansion of the Suncoast Parkway and future extensions position Citrus County for rapid growth. Located within the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), the 18th largest in the U.S., Citrus County stands as a key growth hub. Projections estimate a population surge from 153,600 residents today to 350,000 by 2030, highlighting this region’s tremendous real estate potential.

Strategic Nearby Communities

• Floral City (5 miles)

• Lecanto (12.3 miles)

• Beverly Hills (15.1 miles)

• Crystal River (16.6 miles)

• Homosassa (18.8 miles)

Logistic Details:

County Road 486 runs entirely along West Norvell Bryant Highway. It runs West to East from SR 44 east of Crystal River into US-41 in Hernando, just south of the southern terminus of SR 200. The route was once the former SR 486. County Road 486 spans 4 lanes, is almost entirely a divided highway, and is flanked by a parallel bicycle path on the south side.

County Road 491 is Lecanto Highway, a bi-county South to North road that begins at the Hernando-Citrus County Line in Oak Grove near the Withlacoochee State Forest and ends at SR 200 in Syou’re toke's Ferry, just south of the intersection with the northern segment of CR 39. It was formerly designated as SR 491.

County Road 44 (often marked as County Road 44W) exists as the western tip of old Florida State Road 44, south of "Downtown" Crystal River. The suffix "W" was most likely added to not confuse this section with State Road 44, to the north, and to show its location by being west of US 19 and US 98(SR 55). As with the majority of these types of 'coastal spur' routes, in West Central Florida, it is county-maintained.

U.S. Route 19 (US-19) runs 264 miles (425 km) along Florida's West Coast from an interchange with U.S. Route 41 in Memphis, Florida, south of Tampa, and continues to the Georgia border north of Monticello, Florida. Newly 6 lane Highway was constructed from the Hernando County line to Fort Island Trail and US 19 in Crystal River, Florida.

Suncoast Parkway:

The Suncoast Parkway recently opened was a $135 Million Dollar expansion that extends 13 miles north from US-98 to SR 44 which features 15 new bridges, electronic tolling gantries, and the extension of The Suncoast Trail part of the Florida's Statewide Greenways and Trail System. The Suncoast Parkway is just 68 Miles 1 hour and 15 mins from Tampa making it a great commuting Highway for the workforce seeking to be outside of the Tampa traffic. The Veterans Expressway and Suncoast Parkway is a north–south toll road near the Florida Gulf Coast. Maintained and operated by Florida's Turnpike Enterprise, this 68-mile transportation corridor extends from State Road 60 in Tampa, north to State Road 44 near Lecanto.

Citrus County Growth:

Citrus County, Florida's estimated population is 155,582 with a growth rate of 1.29% in the past year according to the most recent United States census data. Citrus County, Florida is the 34th largest county in Florida. The 2010 Population was 141,173 and has seen a growth of 10.21% since this time. Citrus County's current LDC allows for approximately a population of 350k residencies. Given the expansion of the Suncoast Parkway and the 6-lane expansion of US 19, we are in the path of tremendous growth. Currently, Citrus County has 60,000 vacant parcels of land prime for development. The County and incorporated Cities have plans for extensive utility expansion throughout the county including the expansion of the Crystal River Airport Runway 5000 feet to allow for larger aircraft to land and take off including a newly funded 75 acres industrial complex granted by the state to expand utilities, road reconstruction to support eighteen wheelers and to include environmentally friendly and energy conservation features.

Community Development:

• 957 single-family residential homes on a 354-acre site in Lecanto.

• 500-lot subdivision, located in Citrus Springs by Habitat for Humanity of Citrus County.

• Green Mills Group 2020 built a 106-unit apartment campus offering affordable housing on Colonnade Street in Inverness.

• County commissioners approved a planned unit development (PUD) for Preservation Point RV Resort, a 234-acre property.

• Jaymelday Holdings LLC calls for up to 600 RV sites, along with amenities such as a pool, golf cart rentals, bar and grill, basketball court, and walking trails in Crystal River.

• 207 Home subdivision by DR Horton in Beverly Hills, Florida Citrus Ridge Area.

• 930 Unit Subdivision in Planning with a national builder in Lecanto just off the Suncoast Parkway extension on SR 44.