Hardee County Map, Florida
Explore the definitive interactive map and reference guide to Hardee County, Florida. With a population of 25,327 living across 637 square miles of land, Hardee County is one of 10 counties in the Central Florida region. The county seat is Wauchula, and the county carries the FIPS identifier 12049 in U.S. Census and USGS datasets.
An inland ranching and citrus county on the Peace River, Hardee is among Florida's most rural, with agriculture and phosphate as economic anchors.
Hardee County at a glance
A concise reference summary of Hardee County's key statistics — useful for research, real estate, relocation, travel planning, GIS workflows, journalism, and civics education.
- Official name
- Hardee County
- County seat
- Wauchula
- FIPS code
- 12049
- Region
- Central Florida
- Established
- 1921
- Named for
- Cary A. Hardee, Florida governor 1921-1925.
- Land area
- 637 sq mi
- Water area
- 1 sq mi
- Total area
- 638 sq mi
- Population (2020)
- 25,327
- Population density
- 40 / sq mi
- Time zone
- Eastern Time
Where is Hardee County, Florida?
Hardee County is located in the Central Florida region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Wauchula, 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 638 square miles — 637 of land and 1 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, 12049, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.
Hardee County shares borders with 4 neighboring counties: Polk County, Highlands County, DeSoto County, Manatee 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.
Hardee County geography & landscape
Flat cattle country and citrus groves drained by the Peace River and Charlie Creek.
The county's overall footprint — 637 square miles of land plus 1 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 Hardee County
Citrus, cattle, blueberries, and phosphate mining. Mosaic Company operates significant mining and reclamation in the county.
Employment, tax base, and land use in Hardee County reflect its location in Central Florida and its position in the state's middle tier of population. 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 Hardee County
Split from DeSoto County in 1921. Wauchula's name comes from a local Native American word for 'sandhill crane.'
Established in 1921, Hardee 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 Hardee County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.
Tourism & things to do in Hardee County
Pioneer Park (Zolfo Springs), the Peace River (fossil hunting), and Paynes Creek Historic State Park.
Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, Hardee County offers a mix of natural, cultural, and community attractions tied to its Central 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 Hardee County
Hardee 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 Hardee County
Access routes and regional transportation infrastructure serving Hardee County.
- US-17
- SR-64
- SR-66
- Wauchula Municipal
Hardee County GIS, parcel & boundary data
Hardee 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 12049.
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 Hardee 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 Hardee County. Click any to view its map, seat, cities, and full guide.