Hardee County, Florida

Hardee County is a located in the  of. As of 2000, the population was 26,938. The 2005 estimate for the county is 28,286. Its is. The county comprises the Wauchula, Florida.

History
It was named for, from  to. Hardee County was created in.

On ,, 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.

Geography
According to the, the county has a total area of 1,653 (638 ). 1,651 km² (637 sq mi) of it is land and 3 km² (1 sq mi) of it (0.16%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

 * - north
 * - east
 * - south
 * - west
 * - northwest

Demographics
As of the of 2000, there were 26,938 people, 8,166 households, and 6,255 families residing in the county. The was 16/km² (42/sq mi). There were 9,820 housing units at an average density of 6/km² (15/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 70.66%, 8.33% or , 0.68% , 0.30% , 0.06% , 17.99% from , and 1.97% from two or more races. 35.68% of the population were or  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 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 for the county was $12,445. About 17.00% of families and 24.60% of the population were below the, including 30.20% of those under age 18 and 16.10% of those age 65 or over.

Incorporated

 * City of
 * City of
 * Town of

Government links/Constitutional offices

 * Hardee County Board of County Commissioners official website
 * Hardee County Supervisor of Elections
 * Hardee County Property Appraiser
 * Hardee County Sheriff's Office
 * Hardee County Tax Collector

Special districts

 * Hardee County Public Schools
 * Southwest Florida Water Management District
 * Heartland Library Cooperative

Judicial branch

 * Hardee County Clerk of Courts
 * Public Defender, 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties
 * Office of the State Attorney, 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida
 * Circuit and County Court for the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida

Media

 * WZZS-FM (106.9 The Bull)
 * WZSP-FM (105.3 La Zeta)

Events

 * The Cracker Heritage Festival