County · Florida
Hardee County, Florida
Hardee County, Florida. Hardee County had 25,932 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.4% since 2020, slower than Florida (+8.9%). It holds 9 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 12049.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,932
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 25,327 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,675
Median household income
$60,489
±$6,151 (90% margin)
Florida: $74,568
Median home value
$153,600
±$26,119 (90% margin)
Florida: $359,000
Median gross rent
$962
±$47 (90% margin)
Florida: $1,669
How many people live in Hardee County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 25,327 residents in Hardee County. The Census Bureau estimates 25,932 for July 1, 2025, up 2.4% since 2020, slower than Florida (+8.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,675 over 638 square miles of land.
| Measure | Hardee County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,675 | 22,416,077 | −1,456 |
| Households | 8,219±270 | 8,752,810 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.91±0.10 | 2.51 | −0.26 |
| Housing units | 9,942±29 | 10,256,470 | +179 |
Hardee County's population since 2000
From 26,938 in 2000 to 25,932 in 2025: down 3.7%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Hardee County?
Hardee County holds 9 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Wauchula with 4,946 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Wauchula | 4,900 | $53,013 |
|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green | 2,405 | $45,357 |
| Zolfo Springs | 1,737 | $60,946 |
| Lemon GroveGEOID 1240100 | 637 | $26,971 |
| GardnerGEOID 1225550 | 364 | not published |
| OnaGEOID 1251500 | 199 | not published |
| Fort Green SpringsGEOID 1223875 | 190 | $81,042 |
| LimestoneGEOID 1240525 | 157 | not published |
| Fort GreenGEOID 1223850 | 78 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Hardee County?
The median resident of Hardee County is 35.8 years old; 24.4% are under 18 and 16.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 46.4%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 42.3%. 11.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Hardee County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.8±0.6 | 42.6 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.4%±0.9 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.1%±0.4 pts | 21.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 42.3% | 27.4% | −1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 46.4%±0.7 pts | 50.4% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.2%±0.8 pts | 14.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.6%±1.1 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 11.7%±1.6 pts | 21.9% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 31.0%±2.4 pts | 30.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.0%±1.0 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 16.7%±1.6 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 20.1%±2.8 pts | 11.5% | +8.4 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 76.9%±2.6 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 12.1%±2.2 pts | 34.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.5%±1.1 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.1%±1.0 pts | 2.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Hardee County earn?
Half of Hardee County's 8,219 households earn less than $60,489 a year (±$6,151), against $74,568 in Florida. In 2015-2019 the median was $47,606 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $12,883 after inflation. 25.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Hardee County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $60,489±$6,151 | $74,568 | +$12,883 |
| Mean household income | $84,981±$11,293 | $105,967 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,365±$3,450 | $42,609 | +$6,515 |
| People below the poverty line | 25.3%±4.1 pts | 12.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 39.3%±7.4 pts | 16.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 24.9%±3.8 pts | 12.6% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.2%±2.9 pts | 91.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Hardee County?
Owners occupy 71.4% of Hardee County's occupied homes and renters 28.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $153,600 by its owner (±$26,119). The median renter pays $962 a month including utilities, and 40.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Hardee County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $153,600±$26,119 | $359,000 | +$50,960 |
| Median gross rent | $962±$47 | $1,669 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.7%±9.4 pts | 50.2% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,385±$140 | $1,959 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.4%±4.5 pts | 67.6% | +6.5 pts |
| Housing units | 9,942±29 | 10,256,470 | +179 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±1.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.7%±2.5 pts | 7.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 57.7%±4.3 pts | 54.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 27.1%±3.4 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.8%±2.2 pts | 1.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Hardee County building?
Builders took permits for 104 new housing units across Hardee County in 2025 (86 single-family), 4.0 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Hardee County get to work?
69.7% of Hardee County's workers drive alone and 4.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.9%.
| Measure | Hardee County | Florida | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 52.6%±2.6 pts | 59.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.9%±1.8 pts | 4.8% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.7%±4.3 pts | 70.2% | – |
| Carpooled | 22.5%±4.6 pts | 9.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0%±1.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Walked | 1.8%±1.6 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.3%±1.8 pts | 15.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.8 min±1.8 | 28.0 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Hardee County's census tracts?
Hardee County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $47,130 (Tract 9704.01) to $86,337 (Tract 9701.02).
| Tract 9701.0112049970101 | 3,234±398 | $67,679 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9701.0212049970102 | 4,053±543 | $86,337 |
| Tract 9702.0112049970201 | 3,032±528 | $56,250 |
| Tract 9702.0212049970202 | 1,344±434 | $81,250 |
| Tract 9703.0112049970301 | 5,000±705 | $55,179 |
| Tract 9703.0212049970302 | 2,625±165 | $59,063 |
| Tract 9704.0112049970401 | 4,064±559 | $47,130 |
| Tract 9704.0212049970402 | 2,323±321 | $51,380 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Hardee County compare with Florida's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 52nd of 67 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 56th of 67 |
| Residents per square mile | 54th of 67 |
| Median household income | 47th of 67 |
| Median home value | 58th of 67 |
| Median gross rent | 48th of 67 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd of 67 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 61st of 67 |
| Median age | 64th of 67 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Hardee County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.