Crystal River is a city in Citrus County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,485 at the 2000 census. (4,044 in 1990). According to the U. S Census estimates of 2005, the city had a population of 3,600. The city was incorporated in 1903 and is the self professed "Home of the Manatee".. Crystal River is located on the Crystal River and is home to a nuclear power plant, the Crystal River 3 Nuclear Generating Station. Crystal River Preserve State Park is located nearby, and Crystal River Archaeological State Park is located in the city's northwest side. There was once a railroad that had another end there going northwest to the Withlacoochee trail formally the Withlacoochee trail. Crystal River is at the heart of the Nature Coast of Florida. The City is situated around Kings Bay, which is spring-fed so keeps a constant temperature year round. Kings Bay is home to nearly 400 manatee during the winter and is one of the few places where people can interact with them in their natural conditions. In 2005 there was a movement to dissolve the city. As of 2007 the city police department was replaced by the Citrus County Sheriff's Office.