Hardee County was created in 1921, from a portion of the original DeSoto County, and named in honor of Florida Governor Cary A. Hardee. Other names originally considered for the county included Wauchula, Goolsby, and Cherokee. The earliest settlement of the area began in April 1849 when the Kennedy Darling Indian Trading post was established on the area that is now Payne’s Creek Historic State Park. Hardee County was home to the first cattle ranchers, livestock, and cowboys. The Florida cowboys were among the first in the United States and were eventually dubbed “crackers” because of the cracking sound their whips made as they herded cattle. Today, Hardee County is known for its large citrus groves, prize-winning livestock, and rich soil. In fact, the area is also known as “Bone Valley”, an area containing most of the richest phosphate deposits in both the United States and the world! Unlike much of the rest of modern-day Florida, Hardee County still remains largely undeveloped and offers the perfect retreat for those who are looking for a slower-pace quality of life. If you were to read Patrick D. Smith’s classic novel “A Land Remembered” you may be surprised to find that Hardee County still looks a lot like the image of Old Florida that is portrayed in the book. Hardee County residents are proud to live in a community where children still walk to school, housing is both desirable and affordable, neighbors are friendly,and there is plenty of land, clean air, and clean water, and businesses succeed with an optimal labor force and a low overhead. Hardee County offers small town living at its best!
Home Buyer Information
- Hardee County consists of 3 cities
- The Average Home Listing Price in Hardee County is $130,000
- The Average Home Listing Price Per Square Foot in Hardee County is $100
- The Average Home Selling Price in Hardee County is $70,500
- The Average Home / Apartment Rental Price in Hardee County is unknown
- The Median Household Income in Hardee County is $36,222 per year
Community Information
- The Herald Advocate – everything you need to know about the local Hardee County area news theheraldadvocate.com/eedition/
- Hardee County Community Information – https://www.hardeecounty.net/
- Wauchula Municipal Airport – https://www.cityofwauchula.com/wauchula-municipal-airport
- Hardee County Property Appraiser – https://hardeepa.com/
- Hardee County Clerk of Courts – https://www.hardeeclerk.com/
- Hardee County Tax Collector – https://www.hardeecountytaxcollector.com/
Local School Information
The School District of Hardee County is committed to fulfilling their mission of being “an organization committed to student Achievement, Accountability, and Academics. Hardee County schools do this by remaining focused on their motto “empower and inspire all students for success” every day. Serving more than 5,250 students in their 11 public schools and 75 students in their 5 private schools.
- Hardee County Public Schools – https://www.hardee.k12.fl.us
- Hardee County Private Schools – http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/private-schools/parent-info.stml
- Hardee County Charter Schools – http://www.fldoe.org/schools/school-choice/charter-schools/charter-school-faqs.stml
- Information About Florida’s School Choice Program – floridaschoolchoice.org
- School Reviews and Information – greatschools.org/florida or www.privateschoolreview.com/florida/hardee-county
- South Florida State College Bowling Green – 863-773-3081 or https://www.southflorida.edu/
- South Florida State College Avon Park – 863-453-6661 or https://www.southflorida.edu/
- South Florida Community College Avon Park – 863-453-3133 or https://www.southflorida.edu/
- South Florida Community College Sebring – 863-382-3441 or https://www.southflorida.edu/
Crime Data
- Hardee County Crime Statistics – https://www.bestplaces.net/crime/county/florida/hardee
- Hardee County Interactive Crime Map – https://www.crimereports.com/agency/hardee-county-sheriff-s-office-fl#!/dashboard
- Hardee County Sheriff’s Office – https://www.hardeeso.com/
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement – fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/County-Profiles/Hardee.aspx
- Sexual Offenders and Predators Information – https://offender.fdle.state.fl.us/offender/sops/neighborhoodSearch.jsf
Utilities Contact Information
- City of Wauchula Water, Sewer, and Waste Services – 863-773-3131 or https://www.cityofwauchula.com/
- City of Bowling Green Water, Sewer, and Waste Services – 863-375-2255 or https://www.bowlinggreenfl.org/
- Town of Zolfo Springs Water and Sewer Services – https://www.townofzolfo.com/
- Hardee County Utilities Department Water and Sewer Services – 863-773-3465 or https://www.hardeecounty.net/utilities.htm
- Peace River Electric Cooperative – 800-773-3737 or https://www.preco.org
- Progress / Duke Energy – 800-700-8744 or https://www.duke-energy.com/home
- Florida Natural Gas – 877-436-4427 or https://www.onlyfng.com/
- Coker Fuel (Gas) – 863-773-4172 or https://www.cokerfuel.com/index.html
- Florida Public Utilities (Natural Gas, Electricity, and Propane) – 800-427-7712 or https://www.fpuc.com/
- Spectrum Cable, Internet, and Telephone Services – 866-892-4249 or https://www.spectrum.com/internet-service/florida/hardee-county
- AT&T Telephone Services – 863-382-3439 or https://www.att.com/local/florida
- CenturyLink Telephone and Internet Services – 865-465-2313 or https://www.centurylink.com/
- Comcast Cable and Internet Services – 855-897-0026 or https://www.xfinity.com
- DirecTV Cable Services – 855-802-3473 or https://www.directv.com/
- Dish Cable Services – 800-333-3474 or https://www.dish.com/
Shopping
- Ollie’s Bargain Outlet – 863-657-2348 or https://www.ollies.us/home.html
- Bealls Outlet – 863-773-6205 or https://www.beallsoutlet.com/
- Stein Mart – 863-647-3258 or https://www.steinmart.com/
- Nathan’s Men’s Store – 863-682-2811 or https://www.nathansmensstore.com/
Things To Do
- Pioneer Park – 863-473-5078 or https://www.hardeecounty.net/site/content/parks/pioneer_park.html
- Hardee County Wildlife Refuge – 863-473-4892 or https://www.hardeecounty.net/ar.htm
- The Florida Cracker Trail Museum – 863-735-0119 or https://www.hardeecounty.net/crackertrailmuseum/
- Payne’s Creek Historic State Park – 863-375-4717 or https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/paynes-creek-historic-state-park
- Heritage Park – https://mainstreetwauchula.com/
- Hardee Lakes County Park – 863-767-1100 or https://www.hardeecounty.net/site/content/parks/hardee_lakes.html
- Highland’s Hammock State Park – 863-386-6094 or https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/highlands-hammock-state-park
- Hardee Lakes County Park – 863-767-1100 or https://www.hardeecounty.net/site/content/parks/hardee_lakes.html
- Wauchula’s Peace River Paddle Sports & Kuleana Adventures – 863-832-2102 or https://www.peaceriveradventures.com/
- Solomon’s Castle – 863-494-6077 or http://solomonscastle.com/