1st Advantage MortgageThe median Hardee County household earns $60,489, and 25% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Florida before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Hardee County
- Hardee County housing compared with Florida
- Paychecks and income spread in Hardee County
- Jobs and commutes in Hardee County
- The counties around Hardee County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Hardee County
- A Hardee County household budget, worked through
- Reading the Hardee County data as a borrower
- Hardee County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Who licenses lenders for Hardee County residents
- Steps before you apply in Hardee County
- More guides for Hardee County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Hardee County
Roughly 25,675 residents live in Hardee County, Florida, 52nd by population among the state's 67 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 638 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 40 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Hardee County is not part of any metropolitan area. Wauchula is the biggest of its 9 Census places, at roughly 4,927 people (19% of the county total).
Hardee County housing compared with Florida
Renters in Hardee County pay a median of $962 a month, 42% below the Florida figure of $1,669. 50% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 33% spend half or more. Home values center on $153,600, or 2.5 years of median income. The ownership rate is 71%. The median year built is 1987.
| Home costs | Hardee County | Florida | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $962/mo | $1,669/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $153,600 | $359,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 68% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 50% | 60% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 35% | n/a |
Paychecks and income spread in Hardee County
At $60,489, the typical Hardee County household income is 8% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Hardee County | vs Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.8% | +9.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.1% | -0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.7% | -3.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -5.6 pts |
About 32% of households earn under $35,000, while 28% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 25.3%, 13 points higher than the state's 12.6%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in Hardee County
By the Census industry count, 19% of employed Hardee County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 14% locally and 1% for Florida. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 22% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 4% work from home. Households without a car make up 6.0% of the total (6.0% statewide).
| Where residents work | Hardee County | Difference from Florida |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.3% | -1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.4% | +2.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.1% | +13.3 pts |
| Construction | 9.4% | +1.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.3% | +0.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.2% | -0.9 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
The counties around Hardee County
Distances run center to center, from DeSoto County at 21 miles out to Charlotte County at 42. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Hardee County; Sarasota County is highest at $83,416 and DeSoto County lowest at $54,417.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardee County | - | $60,489 | $962/mo | 71% |
| DeSoto County, FL | 21 mi | $54,417 | $932/mo | 73% |
| Highlands County, FL | 31 mi | $54,897 | $1,035/mo | 79% |
| Polk County, FL | 33 mi | $65,978 | $1,363/mo | 70% |
| Manatee County, FL | 35 mi | $78,457 | $1,671/mo | 74% |
| Sarasota County, FL | 41 mi | $83,416 | $1,818/mo | 77% |
| Charlotte County, FL | 42 mi | $69,952 | $1,464/mo | 84% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Hardee County
The table lists the 9 largest of 9 Census places in Hardee County, by population. Together all 9 hold about 11,109 people, so roughly 57% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $26,971 in Lemon Grove to $81,042 in Fort Green Springs. Median rent ranges from $898 in Lemon Grove to $1,017 in Wauchula. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wauchula | city | 4,927 | $53,013 | $1,017 | 4 mi |
| Bowling Green | city | 2,226 | $45,357 | $1,011 | 10 mi |
| Zolfo Springs | town | 2,158 | $60,946 | $967 | 2 mi |
| Fort Green Springs | CDP | 762 | $81,042 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Lemon Grove | CDP | 547 | $26,971 | $898 | 13 mi |
| Gardner | CDP | 381 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Ona | CDP | 44 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
| Fort Green | CDP | 39 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Limestone | CDP | 25 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
A Hardee County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Hardee County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Hardee County: $5,041
- Less median rent of $962, which is 19% of it
- At 35%, room after rent is $802 a month
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,306 a month
If your rent is above $962, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Reading the Hardee County data as a borrower
What the Hardee County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Medical bills. 20% of Hardee County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Keeping the car running. At 22% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Hardee County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Mobile home upkeep. 27% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Assistance before credit. With a 25% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Hardee County loan.
Hardee County residents: age, schooling, coverage
12% of Hardee County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 20% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Hardee County | Florida | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.8 | 42.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.1% | 34.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 23.1% | 10.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 20.1% | 11.5% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 6.0% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.3% | 15.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 25.3% | 12.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.9% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Hardee County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.3% |
| 60+ min | 12.5% |
Who licenses lenders for Hardee County residents
Consumer lenders serving Hardee County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Florida that is the Florida Office of Financial Regulation. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Florida state guide for the statewide picture.
Steps before you apply in Hardee County
Quick steps for Hardee County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Hardee County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Florida.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Hardee County
For statewide rules and data, see the Florida guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hardee County a high-income county?
Its $60,489 median ranks 47th of 67 Florida counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Hardee County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $962 against $1,669 statewide, and 50% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Hardee County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 71% of Hardee County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Wauchula?
Yes, along with the other 8 Census places in Hardee County, such as Bowling Green, Zolfo Springs, Fort Green Springs.
Can Hardee County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Florida county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.