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Okeechobee County

county

Okeechobee County, Florida

Overview

Classification: County
FIPS Code: 12093
Country: United States
County: Okeechobee County

Geography

Region: Florida Heartland
Total Area: 892 sq mi
Land Area: 769 sq mi
Water Area: 123 sq mi
Latitude: 27.39
Longitude: -80.89
Climate: Okeechobee has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. It experiences moderate temperature fluctuations over the year and significant rainfall.
Notable Features: Lake Okeechobee · Okeechobee Waterway · Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park · Taylor Creek Stormwater Treatment Area
Neighboring Areas: Indian River County · Martin County · St. Lucie County · Glades County · Hendry County · Highlands County · Palm Beach County · Polk County · Osceola County

Demographics

Population (2020): 39,644
Est. Population (2024): 42,369
Median Age: 40.7
Median Income: $52,288
Family Households: 65.2%
Owner-Occupied: 74.6%
Racial & Ethnic Composition: In 2023, the racial makeup of the county was 62.7% White (Non-Hispanic), 9.9% White (Hispanic), 8.31% Two Races Including Other (Hispanic), 7.7% Black or African American (Non-Hispanic), and 6.59% Other (Hispanic).

Governance

Government Type: County Commission
Governing Body: Board of County Commissioners
School District: Okeechobee County School District
Municipal Services: Law Enforcement · Fire Rescue · Emergency Management · Public Works · Parks and Recreation · Library Services

U.S. Congress

Scott, Rick

Moody, Ashley

Patronis, Jimmy

Patronis, JimmyR

U.S. Representative - District 1

Dunn, Neal P.

U.S. Representative - District 2

Cammack, Kat

U.S. Representative - District 3

Bean, Aaron

U.S. Representative - District 4

Rutherford, John H.

Rutherford, John H.R

U.S. Representative - District 5

Fine, Randy

U.S. Representative - District 6

Mills, Cory

U.S. Representative - District 7

Haridopolos, Mike

Haridopolos, MikeR

U.S. Representative - District 8

Soto, Darren

U.S. Representative - District 9

Frost, Maxwell

Frost, MaxwellD

U.S. Representative - District 10

Webster, Daniel

Webster, DanielR

U.S. Representative - District 11

Bilirakis, Gus M.

Bilirakis, Gus M.R

U.S. Representative - District 12

Luna, Anna Paulina

Luna, Anna PaulinaR

U.S. Representative - District 13

Castor, Kathy

U.S. Representative - District 14

Lee, Laurel M.

Lee, Laurel M.R

U.S. Representative - District 15

Buchanan, Vern

Buchanan, VernR

U.S. Representative - District 16

Steube, W. Gregory

Steube, W. GregoryR

U.S. Representative - District 17

Franklin, Scott

Franklin, ScottR

U.S. Representative - District 18

Donalds, Byron

Donalds, ByronR

U.S. Representative - District 19

Mast, Brian J.

Mast, Brian J.R

U.S. Representative - District 21

Frankel, Lois

U.S. Representative - District 22

Moskowitz, Jared

Moskowitz, JaredD

U.S. Representative - District 23

Wilson, Frederica S.

Wilson, Frederica S.D

U.S. Representative - District 24

Wasserman Schultz, Debbie

Wasserman Schultz, DebbieD

U.S. Representative - District 25

Diaz-Balart, Mario

Diaz-Balart, MarioR

U.S. Representative - District 26

Salazar, Maria Elvira

Salazar, Maria ElviraR

U.S. Representative - District 27

Gimenez, Carlos A.

Gimenez, Carlos A.R

U.S. Representative - District 28

Economy

Unemployment Rate: 5.3%
Economic Profile: Agriculture · Tourism · Agribusiness
Employment Sectors: Agriculture · Healthcare · Retail · Education · Tourism
Major Employers: Okeechobee County School District · HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital · Walpole Inc · Gilbert Family of Companies · McArthur Farms

Education

Schools: 10
Students: 6,337
Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1
School Districts: Okeechobee County School District
Colleges & Universities: Indian River State College (Okeechobee Campus)

Infrastructure

Transportation: US Highway 441 · State Road 70 · Okeechobee Airport
Utilities: Water · Sewer · Electricity · Natural Gas · High-speed broadband
Major Facilities: Okeechobee County Courthouse · HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital · Okeechobee County Health Department · Okeechobee County Library

Recreation

Outdoor Access: Yes
Major Recreation Areas: Lake Okeechobee · Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park · Taylor Creek Stormwater Treatment Area · Veterans Memorial Park
Parks & Trails: Flagler Park · Okeechobee County Parks · Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST)

History

Founded: 1917
Named After: Lake Okeechobee, from the Seminole words 'okee' (water) and 'chobee' (big)
Historical Significance: Okeechobee County's history is intertwined with Lake Okeechobee and its management, as well as agriculture and cattle ranching.
Key Events: Second Seminole War (Battle of Okeechobee, 1837) · Lake Okeechobee Hurricane (1928) · Construction of the Herbert Hoover Dike