Hardee County, Florida Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 52nd-largest in Florida

The population of Hardee County, Florida is 25,508 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 52nd-largest county in Florida. The median household income is $54,231, the median home value is $129,400, and the median age is 35.9.

The population of Hardee County has declined 6.0% since 2010 (27,731 → 26,068), a -0.44% annualized rate.

Hardee County within Florida · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

25,508

Population

-0.44%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$54,231

Median Income

$129,400

Median Home Value

Hardee County covers 638 sq mi of land at 40.0 people per square mile.

About Hardee County, FL

Educational attainment is the headline number in Hardee County: 12.3% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. With 25,508 residents, Hardee County is a county in Florida.

Earnings trail the nation, with the median household making $54,231, below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 20.5%, is among the steepest of comparable US counties and above the national 12.4%. Housing is relatively affordable, with a median home value of $129,400, with typical rent around $954.

Four-year-degree attainment is near the bottom of the range for US counties, 12.3%, below the national 35.0%. Most workers commute: only 4.0% work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 28 minutes each way.

Hardee County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Hardee County had a population of 27,731 in 2010 and 26,068 in 2024, a -6.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 27,731 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.43%.

Hardee County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

26,068

Population (2024)

27,731

Population (2010)

27,731

Peak (2010)

-0.43%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	27,731	-	-	estimate
2011	27,681	-50	-0.18%	estimate
2012	27,433	-248	-0.90%	estimate
2013	27,307	-126	-0.46%	estimate
2014	27,259	-48	-0.18%	estimate
2015	27,167	-92	-0.34%	estimate
2016	27,228	+61	+0.22%	estimate
2017	27,172	-56	-0.21%	estimate
2018	27,106	-66	-0.24%	estimate
2019	26,806	-300	-1.11%	estimate
2020	25,341	-1,465	-5.47%	estimate
2021	25,328	-13	-0.05%	estimate
2022	25,692	+364	+1.44%	estimate
2023	25,944	+252	+0.98%	estimate
2024	26,068	+124	+0.48%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	61.4%
Black or African American	6.5%
Asian	0.2%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.7%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

35.9

Median Age

46.0%

Female

54.0%

Male

16.3%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

6.3%

5–9

6.4%

10–14

8.2%

15–19

6.6%

20–24

6.8%

25–34

13.8%

35–44

12.1%

45–54

12.5%

55–59

5.3%

60–64

5.7%

65–74

9.3%

75–84

4.8%

85+

2.2%

Children (under 15): 20.9% · Seniors (65+): 16.3%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$54,231$-17,480 vs state
Mean household income	$76,755
Per-capita income	$26,225
Poverty rate	20.5%+11.6% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.5%
Employment-to-population	47.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

17.8%

Agriculture

14.0%

Construction

9.9%

Finance & real estate

8.7%

Retail trade

7.5%

Information

7.3%

Education & health care

6.3%

Manufacturing

5.8%

The largest employment sector in Hardee County is professional & business services, accounting for 17.8% of workers.

How residents commute

1.0%

Drive alone

1.1%

Carpool

71.9%

Public transit

4.0%

Work from home

27.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$129,400$-195,600 vs state

Median home value

$954

Median rent

71.4%

Homeownership rate

9,884

Total housing units

82.4%

Occupied

17.6%

Vacant

28.6%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

83.2%

With health insurance

94.9%

With broadband internet

28.9%

Foreign-born

4.8%

Veterans (18+)

16.6%

With a disability

68.5%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

78.4%

High School+

12.3%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Florida

Jacksonville (961,739)Miami (446,663)Tampa (393,389)Orlando (311,732)St. Petersburg (260,646)Hialeah (221,901)Port St. Lucie (220,453)Cape Coral (206,387)Tallahassee (199,696)Fort Lauderdale (183,032)All Florida cities →

Other counties in Florida

Miami-Dade County (2,685,296)Broward County (1,946,127)Palm Beach County (1,507,453)Hillsborough County (1,489,634)Orange County (1,440,471)Duval County (1,007,189)Pinellas County (960,565)Lee County (792,692)Polk County (760,961)Brevard County (620,533)All Florida counties →

Part of Florida

Florida demographic profile All Florida data →

Metro areas in Florida

Miami (6,138,876)Tampa (3,240,469)Orlando (2,721,022)Jacksonville (1,645,707)North Port (865,031)Cape Coral (792,692)Lakeland (760,961)Deltona (689,939)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Hardee County, Florida has a population of 25,508 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 52nd-largest county in Florida. Population density is 40 people per square mile.

The population of Hardee County has declined 6.0% since 2010 (27,731 → 26,068), a -0.44% annualized rate.

The median household income in Hardee County, Florida is $54,231, with mean (average) household income of $76,755 and per-capita income of $26,225. 20.5% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Hardee County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (61.4%), Black or African American (6.5%), Hispanic or Latino (2.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Hardee County, Florida is 35.9 years. Residents are 46.0% female and 54.0% male.

The median home value in Hardee County is $129,400 and median monthly rent is $954. 71.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 9,884 total housing units, 17.6% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Hardee County, Florida is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 17.8% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.5%.

Jacksonville is among the largest cities associated with Hardee County, Florida, with a population of 961,739.