Glades County Map, Florida
Explore the definitive interactive map and reference guide to Glades County, Florida. With a population of 12,126 living across 774 square miles of land, Glades County is one of 6 counties in the South Florida region. The county seat is Moore Haven, and the county carries the FIPS identifier 12043 in U.S. Census and USGS datasets.
A rural, cattle-ranching county on the northwest shore of Lake Okeechobee, Glades is one of Florida's least densely populated. The Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation covers a significant share.
Glades County at a glance
A concise reference summary of Glades County's key statistics — useful for research, real estate, relocation, travel planning, GIS workflows, journalism, and civics education.
- Official name
- Glades County
- County seat
- Moore Haven
- FIPS code
- 12043
- Region
- South Florida
- Established
- 1921
- Named for
- The Everglades.
- Land area
- 774 sq mi
- Water area
- 208 sq mi
- Total area
- 982 sq mi
- Population (2020)
- 12,126
- Population density
- 16 / sq mi
- Time zone
- Eastern Time
Where is Glades County, Florida?
Glades County is located in the South Florida region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Moore Haven, is the administrative hub — home to the courthouse, county commission chambers, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court.
The county spans a total of 982 square miles — 774 of land and 208 of water — and operates on Eastern Time. Federal agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, USGS, and FEMA reference the county by its FIPS code, 12043, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.
Glades County shares borders with 6 neighboring counties: Highlands County, Okeechobee County, Palm Beach County, Hendry County, Charlotte County, DeSoto County. Use the interactive map above to explore where those boundaries meet or jump directly to any neighboring county page for a side-by-side comparison.
Glades County geography & landscape
Sawgrass prairie, sloughs, and the western shore of Lake Okeechobee. The Fisheating Creek watershed is the last free-flowing tributary to the lake.
The county's overall footprint — 774 square miles of land plus 208 square miles of water — places it in the mid-range of Florida's 67 counties by area. Elevation across most of Florida is modest, and land-use, drainage basins, and habitat corridors defined by state and federal agencies (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Water Management Districts) shape how growth and conservation coexist here.
Economy & industry in Glades County
Cattle, sugarcane, citrus, aquaculture, and the Brighton Seminole gaming and tourism operation.
Employment, tax base, and land use in Glades County reflect its location in South Florida and its position as a smaller, more rural county. Economic development authorities, chambers of commerce, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity publish updated employer and workforce data for the county on their portals.
History of Glades County
Split from DeSoto County in 1921. The Herbert Hoover Dike ringing Lake Okeechobee — under continual reconstruction — followed the deadly 1928 hurricane.
Established in 1921, Glades County is one of Florida's modern counties. Its boundaries, seat, and government have evolved through territorial, statehood, Reconstruction, and modern eras — a lineage documented by the Florida Historical Society, the State Archives of Florida, and the Glades County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.
Tourism & things to do in Glades County
Lake Okeechobee (bass fishing), Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Area (kayaking), and Brighton Field Day.
Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, Glades County offers a mix of natural, cultural, and community attractions tied to its South Florida identity. For the latest hours, admission fees, and seasonal events, check the county's official tourism development council and the Florida State Parks portal (floridastateparks.org).
Cities, towns & communities in Glades County
Glades County contains the following incorporated cities, towns, and notable census-designated places. Each municipality provides local services, zoning, and police protection within the broader county jurisdiction. Use the ZIP code lookupto jump between Florida counties instantly.
Getting to Glades County
Access routes and regional transportation infrastructure serving Glades County.
- US-27
- SR-78
- SR-29
- Airglades Airport
Glades County GIS, parcel & boundary data
Glades County's authoritative boundary lines, parcel data, zoning layers, flood zones, and land-use inventories are maintained by county government and state agencies. Use the official links in the sidebar for parcel lookups, appraiser searches, and record requests. For statewide GIS, the Florida Geographic Data Library (FGDL) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection publish downloadable layers keyed to FIPS 12043.
You can download this county's outline as SVG, PNG, or a printable PDF factsheet using the export tools in the sidebar — perfect for reports, presentations, classroom handouts, or planning documents.
Frequently asked about Glades County
Population figures reflect the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 decennial count with ACS 5-year updates where noted. Land and water areas come from the U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line boundary files. Highway designations use Florida Department of Transportation route inventories. County establishment dates and namesakes are drawn from the Florida Association of Counties and State Archives of Florida. See our methodology page.
Nearby Florida counties
Counties that share a border with Glades County. Click any to view its map, seat, cities, and full guide.