Okeechobee County, Florida

County in Florida, United States

County in Florida

Okeechobee County

County

County of Okeechobee

The Okeechobee County Judicial Center, in Okeechobee

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Florida

Florida's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 27°23′N 80°53′W﻿ / ﻿27.39°N 80.89°W﻿ / 27.39; -80.89
Country|  United States
State|  Florida
Founded| May 8, 1917
Named for| Lake Okeechobee
Seat| Okeechobee
Largest city| Okeechobee
Area

• Total| 892 sq mi (2,310 km2)
• Land| 769 sq mi (1,990 km2)
• Water| 123 sq mi (320 km2)  13.8%
Population

(2020)

• Total| 39,644
• Density| 52/sq mi (20/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes|

34972, 34973, 34974

Area code| 863
Congressional district| 17th
Website| www.co.okeechobee.fl.us

Okeechobee County (US: /oʊkiˈtʃoʊbi/[1]) is a county located in the Florida Heartland region of the state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,644.[2] The county seat is Okeechobee.[3]

## History[edit]

The Okeechobee County Courthouse, constructed in 1926, is located in the county seat, Okeechobee. The Old Okeechobee High School, now the Freshman Campus, built 1925

Okeechobee County was incorporated in 1917. It was named for Lake Okeechobee, which was itself named for the Seminole Indian[4] words okee (water) and chobee (big).

### Historic buildings[edit]

Historic buildings in Okeechobee County include:

* First United Methodist Church, 1924
* Freedman-Raulerson House, 1923
* Okeechobee County Courthouse, 1926

## Geography[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 892 square miles (2,310 km2), of which 769 square miles (1,990 km2) is land and 123 square miles (320 km2) (13.8%) is water.[5]

Okeechobee County comprises the Okeechobee, FL Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA), which is included in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie, FL Combined Statistical Area. The μSA was first designated by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in 2003.[6][7]

### Adjacent counties[edit]

* Indian River County \- northeast
* Martin County \- east
* St. Lucie County \- east
* Glades County \- southwest
* Hendry County \- southwest
* Highlands County \- west
* Polk County \- northwest
* Osceola County \- northwest

## Points of interest[edit]

The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, runs along the Herbert Hoover Dike around the Lake.

## Transportation[edit]

### Airports[edit]

* Okeechobee County Airport

### Major highways[edit]

* Florida's Turnpike
* US 98
* US 441
* CR 68
* SR 70
* SR 78
* SR 710

## Demographics[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1920| 2,132| | —
1930| 4,129| | 93.7%
1940| 3,000| | −27.3%
1950| 3,454| | 15.1%
1960| 6,424| | 86.0%
1970| 11,233| | 74.9%
1980| 20,264| | 80.4%
1990| 29,627| | 46.2%
2000| 35,910| | 21.2%
2010| 39,996| | 11.4%
2020| 39,644| | −0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2019[2]
Okeechobee County racial composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a] Race  | Pop 2010[14] | Pop 2020[15] | % 2010  | % 2020

|
|
|
|

White (NH)  | 26,258  | 24,671  | 65.65%  | 62.23%
Black or African American (NH)  | 3,117  | 3,318  | 7.79%  | 8.37%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)  | 287  | 263  | 0.72%  | 0.66%
Asian (NH)  | 345  | 332  | 0.86%  | 0.84%
Pacific Islander (NH)  | 25  | 14  | 0.06%  | 0.04%
Some Other Race (NH)  | 28  | 146  | 0.07%  | 0.37%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)  | 375  | 1,043  | 0.94%  | 2.63%
Hispanic or Latino | 9,561  | 9,857  | 23.9%  | 24.86%
Total | 39,996 | 39,644 |  |

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 39,644 people, 14,601 households, and 9,837 families residing in the county.

As of the census of 2010, there were 39,996 people, 13,857 households, and 9,016 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 inhabitants per square mile (18/km2). There were 15,504 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.9% White, 8.6% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.2% from two or more races. 24.5% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2005 68.5% of the county population was White non-Hispanic, 21.6% of the population was Latino, 8.0% was African-American and both Native Americans and Asians constituted 0.9% of the population.[16]

In 2000 there were 12,593 households, out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.50% were married couples living together, 10.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county in 2000 the population was spread out, with 25.20% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 16.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 115.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.20 males.

In 2010 the median income for a household in the county was $36,929, and the median income for a family was $35,163. Males had a median income of $25,574 versus $20,160 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,553. About 11.80% of families and 16.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.90% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

## Libraries[edit]

Okeechobee County is part of the Heartland Library Cooperative which serves Okeechobee County and some of the surrounding counties, including Glades, Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto. The seven-branch library system has one branch in the city of Okeechobee and is also affiliated with Indian River State College through its Dixon Hendry campus.

## Communities[edit]

### City[edit]

* Okeechobee

### Census-designated places[edit]

* Cypress Quarters
* Taylor Creek

### Other unincorporated communities[edit]

* Ancient Oaks
* Barber Quarters
* Basinger
* Basswood Estates
* Country Hills Estates
* Deans Court
* Dixie Ranch Acres
* Duberry Gardens
* Echo Estates
* Everglades
* Fort Drum
* Four Seasons
* Hilolo
* Mildred
* Oak Park
* Okeechobee Little Farms
* Quail Acres
* Rookerville
* Sherman
* Taylor Creek Isle
* Treasure Island
* Viking Estates[17][18]
* Upthegrove Beach
* Whispering Pines

## Politics[edit]

United States presidential election results for Okeechobee County, Florida[19] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2020 | 11,470  | 71.76% | 4,390  | 27.46%  | 124  | 0.78%
2016 | 9,356  | 67.99% | 3,959  | 28.77%  | 446  | 3.24%
2012 | 7,328  | 59.25% | 4,856  | 39.27%  | 183  | 1.48%
2008 | 7,561  | 58.89% | 5,108  | 39.79%  | 170  | 1.32%
2004 | 6,978  | 57.24% | 5,153  | 42.27%  | 59  | 0.48%
2000 | 5,057  | 51.32% | 4,589  | 46.57%  | 208  | 2.11%
1996 | 3,418  | 34.38%  | 4,826  | 48.55% | 1,697  | 17.07%
1992 | 3,298  | 35.20%  | 3,418  | 36.48% | 2,654  | 28.32%
1988 | 4,736  | 60.79% | 3,007  | 38.60%  | 48  | 0.62%
1984 | 4,449  | 66.65% | 2,226  | 33.35%  | 0  | 0.00%
1980 | 2,783  | 44.81%  | 3,228  | 51.98% | 199  | 3.20%
1976 | 1,598  | 33.12%  | 3,184  | 65.99% | 43  | 0.89%
1972 | 2,581  | 80.58% | 621  | 19.39%  | 1  | 0.03%
1968 | 862  | 28.66%  | 542  | 18.02%  | 1,604  | 53.32%
1964 | 1,316  | 56.43% | 1,016  | 43.57%  | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 631  | 35.93%  | 1,125  | 64.07% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 575  | 40.78%  | 835  | 59.22% | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 539  | 37.96%  | 881  | 62.04% | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 179  | 17.08%  | 784  | 74.81% | 85  | 8.11%
1944 | 119  | 13.65%  | 753  | 86.35% | 0  | 0.00%
1940 | 122  | 12.92%  | 822  | 87.08% | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 186  | 22.12%  | 655  | 77.88% | 0  | 0.00%
1932 | 90  | 10.09%  | 802  | 89.91% | 0  | 0.00%
1928 | 657  | 68.87% | 287  | 30.08%  | 10  | 1.05%
1924 | 57  | 20.96%  | 182  | 66.91% | 33  | 12.13%
1920 | 58  | 15.93%  | 237  | 65.11% | 69  | 18.96%

### Voter registration[edit]

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

Okeechobee County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of July 31, 2022[20]

Political Party  | Total Voters  | Percentage
| Republican | 11,423  | 50.68%
| Democratic | 6,211  | 27.55%
| No party affiliation  | 4,550  | 20.19%
| Minor parties  | 355  | 1.58%
Total  | 22,539  | 100.00%

## See also[edit]

* Florida Heartland
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Okeechobee County, Florida
* Treasure Coast

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Okeechobee County, Florida.

### Governmental[edit]

* Board of County Commissioners
* Okeechobee County Board of County Commissioners
* Constitutional Officers
* Okeechobee County Clerk
* Okeechobee County Supervisor of Elections
* Okeechobee County Property Appraiser
* Okeechobee County Sheriff's Office
* Okeechobee County Tax Collector
* School district
* School Board of Okeechobee County
* Countywide District
* Okeechobee Soil and Water Conservation District
* Multi-county Districts
* Indian River Community College
* South Florida Water Management District
* St. Johns River Water Management District
* Heartland Library Cooperative
* Tampa Bay Library Consortium
* Judicial
* Okeechobee County Clerk of Courts
* Public Defender, 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida
* State Attorney, 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida Archived September 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
* Circuit and County Courts for the 19th Judicial Circuit of Florida

### Non-governmental[edit]

* Okeechobee Official Discussion Forum
* D.R. Wilson Land Company
* Okeechobee County Tourist Development Council
* Okeechobee County Guide
* Okeechobee News local newspaper for Okeechobee County, Florida fully and openly available in the Florida Digital Newspaper Library

## References[edit]

1. ^ 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 can be of any race.[12][13]

1. ^ "Okeechobee". Collins Dictionary. n.d. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
2. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2014.[permanent dead link]
3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
4. ^ Harper, Debra Kay. English/Seminole Vocabulary (PDF). p. 47\. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 11, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
5. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
6. ^ "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. 138. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
7. ^ "Metro Area History 1950–2020". U.S. Census Bureau. March 2020. Row 3661. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on April 26, 2015. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
12. ^ https://www.census.gov/[not specific enough to verify]
13. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
14. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
15. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 27, 2022.
16. ^ Okeechobee County QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine
17. ^ "Southeast District | Florida Department of Environmental Protection".
18. ^ "Coming Soon". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
20. ^ "Voter Registration - By County and Party". www.dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.

Places adjacent to Okeechobee County, Florida

| Polk County and Osceola County |  | Indian River County

|
|

|  |
Highlands County |

Okeechobee County, Florida

| Martin County and St. Lucie County
|  |
Glades County and Hendry County |  | Palm Beach County

* v
* t
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Municipalities and communities of Okeechobee County, Florida, United States

County seat: Okeechobee

City|

* Okeechobee

CDPs|

* Cypress Quarters
* Taylor Creek

Unincorporated
communities|

* Barber Quarters
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27°23′N 80°53′W﻿ / ﻿27.39°N 80.89°W﻿ / 27.39; -80.89

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