Okeechobee County, Florida

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Okeechobee County, Florida
Seal of Okeechobee County, Florida
Map
Map of Florida highlighting Okeechobee County
Location in the state of Florida
Map of the USA highlighting Florida
Florida's location in the USA
Statistics
Founded 8 May 1917
Seat Okeechobee
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

2,309 km² (892 mi²)
 sq mi ( km²)
305 km² (118 mi²), 13.19%
Population
 - (2004)
 - Density

38,988
18/km² 
Website: www.co.okeechobee.fl.us
The Okeechobee County Judicial Center, in Okeechobee.
The Okeechobee County Judicial Center, in Okeechobee.

Okeechobee County is a county located in the state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 35,910. According to 2005 U.S. Census estimates, its population had grown to 39,836 [1]. Its county seat is Okeechobee, Florida6.

Contents

[edit] History

The Okeechobee County Courthouse, constructed in 1926, is located in the County Seat, Okeechobee.
The Okeechobee County Courthouse, constructed in 1926, is located in the County Seat, Okeechobee.

Okeechobee County was created in 1917. It was named for the Lake Okeechobee, which was itself named for Hitchiti words oka (water) and chobi (big).

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,309 km² (892 mi²). 2,004 km² (774 mi²) of it is land and 305 km² (118 mi²) of it (13.19%) is water.

[edit] Adjacent Counties

[edit] Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 35,910 people, 12,593 households, and 9,016 families residing in the county. The population density was 18/km² (46/mi²). There were 15,504 housing units at an average density of 8/km² (20/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.28% White, 7.92% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.67% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 9.56% from other races, and 1.99% from two or more races. 18.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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 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.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,456, 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.

[edit] Municipalities

[edit] Incorporated

1. City of Okeechobee

[edit] Unincorporated

a. Cypress Quarters
b. Taylor Creek

[edit] External links

[edit] Government links/Constitutional offices

[edit] Special districts

[edit] Judicial branch

[edit] Tourism links


Cities and communities of Okeechobee County, Florida
County seat Okeechobee Location of Okeechobee County
Incorporated places Okeechobee
Unincorporated places Barber Quarters | Basinger | Basswood Estates | Cypress Quarters | Dixie Ranch Acres | Fort Drum | Hilolo | Mildred | Sherman | Taylor Creek | Up the Grove Beach | Whispering Pines
Adjacent Counties Indian River | Martin | St. Lucie | Palm Beach | Glades | Hendry | Highlands | Polk | Osceola