Hardee County, Florida

Hardee County
Hardee County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 27°29′N 81°49′W / 27.49°N 81.81°W / 27.49; -81.81
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedApril 23, 1921
Named afterCary A. Hardee
SeatWauchula
Largest cityWauchula
Area
  Total
638 sq mi (1,650 km2)
  Land638 sq mi (1,650 km2)
  Water0.6 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
25,327
  Estimate 
(2023)
25,760
  Density43/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district17th
Websitewww.hardeecounty.net

Hardee County is a county located in the Florida Heartland of the Central Florida region in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 25,327. Its county seat is Wauchula. Hardee County comprises the Wauchula, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.