Hardee County, Florida Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Hardee County is located in Florida with a total population of 25,508. It is the 52nd most populous county out of 67 in Florida.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hardee County is 35.9 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hardee County is $54,231. This is 24% lower than the state median of $71,711. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 31% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.3%. This is 92% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $129,400. Housing costs are 60% lower than the state median of $325,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Hardee County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 67.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Hardee County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 47.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 42.0%. The Black or African American population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 14.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (42.0% vs 26.8%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.8%.

Education

12.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 33.2%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.4%.