Glades County, Florida

County in Florida, United States

County in Florida

Glades County

County

Glades County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of Florida

Florida's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 26°57′N 81°11′W﻿ / ﻿26.95°N 81.19°W﻿ / 26.95; -81.19
Country|  United States
State|  Florida
Founded| April 23, 1921
Named after| Florida Everglades
Seat| Moore Haven
Largest city| Moore Haven
Area

• Total

| 987 sq mi (2,560 km2)
• Land| 806 sq mi (2,090 km2)
• Water| 181 sq mi (470 km2)  18.3%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 12,126

• Estimate

(2023)

| 12,786
• Density| 12/sq mi (4.7/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 17th
Website| www.myglades.com

Glades County is a county located in the Florida Heartland region of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,126,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in Florida. Its county seat is Moore Haven.[2] Glades County is in the Clewiston micropolitan area, a Micropolitan statistical area (μSA) which also includes Hendry County.[3] These two counties, along with the Cape Coral-Fort Myers (Lee County) MSA and the Naples-Marco Island (Collier County) MSA, constitute the Cape Coral-Fort Myers-Naples Combined Statistical Area (CSA).

## Awards

[edit]

* Gov. Jeb Bush acknowledged Muse winning the Florida's Outstanding Rural Community of the Year 2002 award after "providing a safe community shelter to be used during storms."[4]
* Senior Ranger Danny Callahan, of the Florida Forest Service presented Jimmy Cianfrani and the Muse Community with a "10 Year Firewise Service Award" for "its diligence and commitment to the National Firewise Communities USA program. From the smallest project of cleaning the debris off their roofs to the largest undertaking of clearing flammable vegetation 30 feet away from their houses, the Muse Community’s dedication to reducing wildfire risk is commendable."[5]

## History

[edit]

Indigenous people lived in this area for thousands of years. Due to warfare and exposure to infectious diseases after European contact, native tribes became depopulated. In the eighteenth century, when the area was under Spanish rule, Native American peoples of Creek and other tribes migrated into present-day Florida from Georgia. Africans and African Americans who escaped from slavery and shipwrecks also migrated to the area, where they created maroon communities. Some were given freedom by the Spanish in exchange for serving with their militias. Gradually the Seminole nation formed out of these multi-ethnic people. Some African-descended people set up communities near the Seminole and became known as Black Seminole. In the nineteenth century, most of the Seminole and many blacks were removed to Indian Territory after the Seminole Wars, a result of pressure from increasing Anglo-American settlement.

Glades County was created, in 1921, from Desoto County. It was named for the Florida Everglades, though most of the county is prairie and pinelands.[6]

It is one of five counties surrounding Lake Okeechobee and the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail.

Glades County sponsors one of Florida's oldest recurring festivals. Chalo Nitka Festival is a celebration of local history and culture, similar to a county fair. The festival also draws attention to the long and friendly relationship between the local Seminole groups and Glades County settlers. Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation is located in the county.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 987 square miles (2,560 km2), of which 806 square miles (2,090 km2) is land and 181 square miles (470 km2) (18.3%) is water.[7]

Fisheating Creek is a stream that flows into Lake Okeechobee in Florida. It is the only remaining free-flowing watercourse feeding into the lake and the second-largest natural source for the lake.

Glades was added to the Clewiston micropolitan area (μSA) in July 2023.[8]

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Highlands County, Florida \- north
* Okeechobee County, Florida \- northeast
* Martin County, Florida \- east
* Palm Beach County, Florida \- southeast
* Hendry County, Florida \- south
* Lee County, Florida \- southwest
* Charlotte County, Florida \- west
* DeSoto County, Florida \- northwest

### Climate

[edit]

Climate data for Glades County, Florida (1980-2010)

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)  | 73.7
(23.2)  | 76.3
(24.6)  | 80.0
(26.7)  | 84.1
(28.9)  | 89.3
(31.8)  | 91.1
(32.8)  | 91.8
(33.2)  | 91.8
(33.2)  | 90.1
(32.3)  | 86.1
(30.1)  | 80.2
(26.8)  | 75.1
(23.9)  | 84.1
(29.0)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)  | 47.8
(8.8)  | 50.9
(10.5)  | 54.6
(12.6)  | 58.0
(14.4)  | 64.6
(18.1)  | 70.2
(21.2)  | 71.8
(22.1)  | 72.4
(22.4)  | 71.4
(21.9)  | 65.2
(18.4)  | 57.3
(14.1)  | 51.1
(10.6)  | 61.3
(16.3)
Average precipitation inches (mm)  | 1.9
(48)  | 2.5
(64)  | 3.3
(84)  | 2.3
(58)  | 3.3
(84)  | 8.6
(220)  | 7.7
(200)  | 7.9
(200)  | 6.7
(170)  | 2.7
(69)  | 2.0
(51)  | 1.9
(48)  | 50.8
(1,296)
Source: USA.com[9]

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1930| 2,762| | —
1940| 2,745| | −0.6%
1950| 2,199| | −19.9%
1960| 2,950| | 34.2%
1970| 3,669| | 24.4%
1980| 5,992| | 63.3%
1990| 7,591| | 26.7%
2000| 10,576| | 39.3%
2010| 12,884| | 21.8%
2020| 12,126| | −5.9%
2023 (est.)| 12,786| [10]| 5.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13]
1990-2000[14] 2010-2019[1]
Glades County, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[15] | Pop 2010[16] | Pop 2020[17] | % 2000  | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|
|
|

White (NH)  | 7,256  | 7,947  | 7,132  | 68.61%  | 61.68%  | 58.82%
Black or African American (NH)  | 1,106  | 1,538  | 1,434  | 10.46%  | 11.94%  | 11.83%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)  | 473  | 518  | 193  | 4.47%  | 4.02%  | 1.59%
Asian (NH)  | 31  | 46  | 34  | 0.29%  | 0.36%  | 0.28%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)  | 2  | 2  | 0  | 0.02%  | 0.02%  | 0.00%
Other race alone (NH)  | 9  | 10  | 45  | 0.09%  | 0.08%  | 0.37%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)  | 105  | 103  | 238  | 0.99%  | 0.8%  | 1.96%
Hispanic or Latino | 1,594  | 2,720  | 3,050  | 15.07%  | 21.11%  | 25.15%
Total | 10,576 | 12,884 | 12,126 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
A map of racial demographics in Glades County, Florida by Census tract

Legend

* Non-Hispanic White

40–50%

>90%

No population

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,126 people, 4,859 households, and 3,247 families residing in the county.

As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 10,576 people, 3,852 households, and 2,765 families residing in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). There were 5,790 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.99% White, 10.53% Black or African American, 4.93% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.63% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. 15.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2005 the population was 67.0% non-Hispanic white, 17.6% Latino, 10.5% African-American and 4.9% Native American.[19]

There were 3,852 households, out of which 25.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 121.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,774, and the median income for a family was $34,223. Males had a median income of $29,196 versus $20,987 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,338. About 10.70% of families and 15.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.20% of those under age 18 and 11.20% of those age 65 or over.

## Education

[edit]

* Moore Haven Elementary School[20]
* Moore Haven Middle-High School[20]
* West Glades School, Muse[20]
* Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School, Brighton Seminole Reservation[21][20]

## Politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Glades County, Florida[22][23] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No.  | % | No.  | % | No.  | %
2024 | 4,034  | 76.11% | 1,222  | 23.06%  | 44  | 0.83%
2020 | 3,782  | 72.69% | 1,385  | 26.62%  | 36  | 0.69%
2016 | 2,996  | 68.37% | 1,271  | 29.01%  | 115  | 2.62%
2012 | 2,344  | 58.54% | 1,603  | 40.03%  | 57  | 1.42%
2008 | 2,533  | 59.45% | 1,674  | 39.29%  | 54  | 1.27%
2004 | 2,443  | 58.33% | 1,718  | 41.02%  | 27  | 0.64%
2000 | 1,841  | 54.71% | 1,442  | 42.85%  | 82  | 2.44%
1996 | 1,361  | 39.67%  | 1,530  | 44.59% | 540  | 15.74%
1992 | 1,185  | 35.12%  | 1,305  | 38.68% | 884  | 26.20%
1988 | 1,547  | 59.66% | 1,034  | 39.88%  | 12  | 0.46%
1984 | 1,987  | 65.00% | 1,070  | 35.00%  | 0  | 0.00%
1980 | 1,098  | 45.96%  | 1,203  | 50.36% | 88  | 3.68%
1976 | 624  | 31.76%  | 1,311  | 66.72% | 30  | 1.53%
1972 | 1,019  | 78.81% | 253  | 19.57%  | 21  | 1.62%
1968 | 261  | 23.92%  | 230  | 21.08%  | 600  | 55.00%
1964 | 541  | 55.09% | 441  | 44.91%  | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 314  | 44.35%  | 394  | 55.65% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 309  | 47.69%  | 339  | 52.31% | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 264  | 39.70%  | 401  | 60.30% | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 150  | 27.03%  | 274  | 49.37% | 131  | 23.60%
1944 | 164  | 30.54%  | 373  | 69.46% | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 180  | 27.95%  | 464  | 72.05% | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 235  | 31.00%  | 523  | 69.00% | 0  | 0.00%
1932 | 148  | 21.89%  | 528  | 78.11% | 0  | 0.00%
1928 | 331  | 53.73% | 281  | 45.62%  | 4  | 0.65%
1924 | 83  | 23.92%  | 212  | 61.10% | 52  | 14.99%

### Voter registration

[edit]

According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans are a majority of registered voters in Glades County.

Glades County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of July 31, 2022[24]

Political Party  | Total Voters  | Percentage
| Republican | 3,506  | 50.88%
| Democratic | 1,959  | 28.43%
| No party affiliation  | 1,303  | 18.91%
| Minor parties  | 122  | 1.77%
Total  | 6,890  | 100.00%

## Energy and environment

[edit]

Florida Public Service Commission voted unanimously to deny a request by Florida Power and Light to build a huge coal-fired power plant in Glades County, that was to be located several miles to the west of Lake Okeechobee.[25] The Glades County Commission also allowed the construction in 2007 of a 200-acre (0.81 km2) landfill on the southwest shore of Lake Okeechobee.

## Libraries

[edit]

Glades County is part of the Heartland Library Cooperative which serves Glades County and some of the surrounding counties, including Okeechobee, Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto. Of the system's seven branches, the Moore Haven branch is the only one located in Glades County.

## Communities

[edit]

### Indian reservation

[edit]

* Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation

### County Seat

[edit]

* Moore Haven

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Buckhead Ridge
* Port LaBelle (part)

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Lakeport
* Muse
* Palmdale
* Ortona

## Memorials

[edit]

* The Community Center features a veteran memorial to Jim J. Greer at the base of the flagpole. Memorial reads as follows: In Memory of, SMSGT Jim J. Greer, USAF RET., Glades County Tax Collector, January 1994 to October 2000, For His Outstanding Service, To Muse and Glades County, The Muse Community Association, April 18, 2002.[26]

## See also

[edit]

* Florida Heartland
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Glades County, Florida

## Notes

[edit]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Guidance on the Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). Executive Office of the President. July 21, 2023. p. 91. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
4. ^ Kinner, Derek L. (January 25, 2003). "Pool Effort Makes a Big Splash". The Florida Times Union.
5. ^ Browne, Don (October 6, 2014). "Muse Community Recognized For Fire Prevention Efforts". Southwest Florida Online - Sunday Morning News.
6. ^ "Florida Memory: History of Glades County". Florida Memory. 1939.
7. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
8. ^ "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Guidance on the Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). Executive Office of the President. July 21, 2023. p. 91. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
9. ^ "Climatological Information for Glades County, Florida", USA.com, 2003. Web: [1].
10. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
11. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
12. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
13. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
14. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
15. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Glades County, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
16. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Glades County, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
17. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Glades County, Florida". United States Census Bureau.
18. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
19. ^ Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20110607002848/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12043.html
20. ^ a b c d "Glades County School District". Glades County School District. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
21. ^ "Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School". Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School.
22. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
23. ^ "Our Campaigns". Retrieved June 22, 2025.
24. ^ "Voter Registration - By County and Party". www.dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
25. ^ "Coal Plant Near Everglades Denied :: Sierra Club". Archived from the original on October 10, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
26. ^ "Jim J. Greer - Muse, Florida, USA - Specific Veteran Memorials".

## External links

[edit]

* Glades County Democrat newspaper that serves Glades County, Florida available in full-text with images in Florida Digital Newspaper Library

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Glades County, Florida.

### Government links/Constitutional offices

[edit]

* Glades County Supervisor of Elections info
* Glades County Tax Collector info
* Glades County Sheriff's Office Official Website

#### Special districts

[edit]

* Glades County School District
* Glades Soil and Water Conservation District
* South Florida Water Management District
* Heartland Library Cooperative

#### Judicial branch

[edit]

* Glades County Clerk of Courts
* Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida serving Charlotte, Collier, Glades, Hendry and Lee Counties
* Office of the State Attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida Archived December 10, 2004, at the Wayback Machine
* Circuit and County Court for the 20th Judicial Circuit of Florida

* v
* t
* e

Places adjacent to Glades County, Florida

| DeSoto County | Highlands County | Okeechobee County

|
|

|  |
Charlotte County |

Glades County, Florida

| Martin County
|  |
Lee County | Hendry County | Palm Beach County

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Glades County, Florida, United States

County seat: Moore Haven

City|

* Moore Haven

CDP|

* Buckhead Ridge
* Port LaBelle‡

Indian reservation|

* Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation

Unincorporated
communities|

* Citrus Center
* Lakeport
* Muse
* Ortona
* Palmdale

Ghost towns|

* Hall City

Footnotes|

‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties

* Florida portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

Geography of Florida

Natural features|

* Beaches
* Caves
* Everglades (drainage and development)
* Keys
* Lakes
* Lake Okeechobee
* Reef
* Rivers
* Sinkholes
* Springs
* Straits
* Swamps

Regions|

* Big Bend
* region
* coast
* Central Florida
* Emerald Coast
* Everglades
* First Coast
* Forgotten Coast
* Gold Coast
* Halifax area
* Heartland
* Keys
* Nature Coast
* North central Florida
* North Florida
* Panhandle
* South Florida
* Southwest Florida
* Space Coast
* Suncoast
* Tampa Bay Area
* Treasure Coast

Metro areas|

* Cape Coral–Fort Myers
* Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin
* Deltona–Daytona Beach–Ormond Beach
* Gainesville
* Homosassa Springs
* Jacksonville
* Lakeland–Winter Haven
* Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach
* Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island
* North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton
* Ocala
* Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford
* Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville
* Panama City
* Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent
* Port St. Lucie
* Punta Gorda
* Sebastian-Vero Beach
* Sebring
* Tallahassee
* Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater
* The Villages

Largest cities|

* Jacksonville
* Miami
* Tampa
* Orlando
* St. Petersburg
* Hialeah
* Port St. Lucie
* Tallahassee
* Cape Coral
* Fort Lauderdale
* Pembroke Pines
* Hollywood
* Gainesville
* Miramar
* Coral Springs
* Palm Bay
* West Palm Beach
* Clearwater
* Lakeland
* Pompano Beach
* Miami Gardens
* Davie

Counties|

* Alachua
* Baker
* Bay
* Bradford
* Brevard
* Broward
* Calhoun
* Charlotte
* Citrus
* Clay
* Collier
* Columbia
* DeSoto
* Dixie
* Duval
* Escambia
* Flagler
* Franklin
* Gadsden
* Gilchrist
* Glades
* Gulf
* Hamilton
* Hardee
* Hendry
* Hernando
* Highlands
* Hillsborough
* Holmes
* Indian River
* Jackson
* Jefferson
* Lafayette
* Lake
* Lee
* Leon
* Levy
* Liberty
* Madison
* Manatee
* Marion
* Martin
* Miami‑Dade
* Monroe
* Mosquito (former county)
* Nassau
* Okaloosa
* Okeechobee
* Orange
* Osceola
* Palm Beach
* Pasco
* Pinellas
* Polk
* Putnam
* Santa Rosa
* Sarasota
* Seminole
* St. Johns
* St. Lucie
* Sumter
* Suwannee
* Taylor
* Union
* Volusia
* Wakulla
* Walton
* Washington

Other|

* State forests
* State parks
* Wakulla Volcano

26°57′N 81°11′W﻿ / ﻿26.95°N 81.19°W﻿ / 26.95; -81.19

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* United States
* Israel

*[Pop.]: Population
*[%±]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template