Hardee County, Florida

Infobox U.S. County
county = Hardee County
state = Florida




founded = 23 April 1921
seat = Wauchula | area_total_sq_mi =638
area_water_sq_mi =1
area percentage = 0.16%
census yr = 2000
pop = 26938
density_km2 =3
web = www.hardeecounty.net
|

Hardee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 26,938. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 28,286 [http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-12.xls] . Its county seat is Wauchula, FloridaGR|6. The county comprises the Wauchula, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

It was named for Cary A. Hardee, Governor of Florida from 1921 to 1925. Hardee County was created in 1921.

On August 13,2004, Hurricane Charley went directly through Hardee County. Maximum sustained winds in downtown Wauchula were clocked at 149 MPH with higher gusts. Most buildings in the county sustained damage, and many were totally destroyed.

* [http://www.floridadisaster.org/eoc/eoc_Activations/Charley04/Pictures/Hardee/ Photos of Damage from FloridaDisaster.org]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 638 square miles (1,653 km²), of which, 637 square miles (1,651 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (3 km²) of it (0.16%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Polk County, Florida - north
*Highlands County, Florida - east
*DeSoto County, Florida - south
*Manatee County, Florida - west
*Hillsborough County, Florida - northwest

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 26,938 people, 8,166 households, and 6,255 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 9,820 housing units at an average density of 15 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 70.66% White, 8.33% Black or African American, 0.68% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 17.99% from other races, and 1.97% from two or more races. 35.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

According to 2005 Census Estimates the county's population was 50.6% non-Hispanic white, 39.8% Latino, 9.0% African-American and 1.3% Native American. (source=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12049.html)

In 2000 there were 8,166 households out of which 34.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.00% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.40% were non-families. 18.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.06 and the average family size was 3.40.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.60% under the age of 18, 11.00% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 19.20% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 119.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 123.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,183, and the median income for a family was $32,487. Males had a median income of $23,793 versus $18,823 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,445. About 17.00% of families and 24.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.20% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated

* City of Bowling Green
* City of Wauchula
* Town of Zolfo Springs

Unincorporated

* Crewsville
* Ft. Green
* Ona
* Popash
* Sweetwater
* Limestone

ee also

*Florida Heartland

References

External links

Government links/Constitutional offices

* [http://www.hardeecounty.net/ Hardee County Board of County Commissioners] official website
* [http://www.hardeecountyelections.com/ Hardee County Supervisor of Elections]
* [http://www.qpublic.net/hardee Hardee County Property Appraiser]
* [http://www.hardeeso.com/ Hardee County Sheriff's Office]
* [http://www.hardeecountytaxcollector.com Hardee County Tax Collector]

pecial districts

* [http://www.hardee.k12.fl.us/ Hardee County Public Schools]
* [http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us Southwest Florida Water Management District]
* [http://www.myhlc.org Heartland Library Cooperative]

Judicial branch

* [http://www.hardeeclerk.com/ Hardee County Clerk of Courts] (Official Site)
* [http://www.jud10.org/pd.htm Public Defender, 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida] serving Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties
* [http://www.fpaa.state.fl.us/Circuit/%5C%5Cjud10.flcourts.org/sa.htm Office of the State Attorney, 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida]
* [http://www.jud10.org/ Circuit and County Court for the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida]

Museum and Library Resources

* [http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/ufdc/?c=fdnl1&b=UF00028302 "The Herald-Advocate"] , the local newspaper for Hardee County, Florida fully and openly available in the [http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/UFDC/?c=FDNL1 Florida Digital Newspaper Library]