Okeechobee County, Florida
Encyclopedia
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. The county seat
is Okeechobee
, Florida
. The county comprises the Okeechobee, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area.
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).
of 2000, there were 35,910 people, 12,593 households, and 9,016 families residing in the county. The population density
was 46 people per square mile (18/km²). There were 15,504 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). 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.
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.
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 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.
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
located in the state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. As of 2000, the population was 35,910. According to 2005 U.S. Census estimates, its population had grown to 39,836. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Okeechobee
Okeechobee, Florida
Okeechobee is a city in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,376 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 5,784. It is the county seat of Okeechobee County. The Speckled Perch Festival is held annually in honor of the most...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. The county comprises the Okeechobee, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Lake Okeechobee
Lake Okeechobee , locally referred to as The Lake or The Big O, is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida. It is the seventh largest freshwater lake in the United States and the second largest freshwater lake contained entirely within the lower 48 states...
, which was itself named for Hitchiti
Hitchiti
The Hitchiti were a Muskogean-speaking tribe formerly residing chiefly in a town of the same name on the east bank of the Chattahoochee River, 4 miles below Chiaha, in west Georgia. They spoke the Hitchiti language, which was mutually intelligible with Mikasuki; both tribes were part of the loose...
words oka (water) and chobi (big).
Historic buildings
Historic buildings in Okeechobee County include:- First United Methodist ChurchFirst Methodist Episcopal Church (Okeechobee, Florida)The First Methodist Episcopal Church, built in 1924, is an historic red brick Gothic Revival church located at 200 NW 2nd Street in Okeechobee, Florida. In 1989, it was listed in A Guide to Florida's Historic Architecture, published by the University of Florida Press.Today it is known as First...
, 1924 - Freedman-Raulerson HouseFreedman-Raulerson HouseThe Freedman-Raulerson House is a historic site in Okeechobee, Florida, located at 600 South Parrott Avenue. This two-story, eight-room house was built in 1923 as a family home by Abraham and Maud Freedman. On April 11, 1985, it was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic...
, 1923 - Okeechobee County CourthouseOkeechobee County CourthouseThe Okeechobee County Courthouse, built in 1926, is an historic courthouse building located at 304 Northwest 2nd Street in Okeechobee, Florida. It was designed by architect George Gaynor Hyde of Miami in what has been variously called the Southern Colonial Revival or Mediterranean Revival style of...
, 1926
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 891.57 square miles (2,309.2 km²), of which 773.94 square miles (2,004.5 km²) (or 86.81%) is land and 117.63 square miles (304.7 km²) (or 13.19%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Indian River CountyIndian River County, FloridaIndian River County is a county located in the Treasure Coast region in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 112,947. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 128,594...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- northeast - Martin CountyMartin County, FloridaMartin County is a county in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 126,731. The U.S. Census Bureau 2008 estimate for the county is 138,660. Its county seat is Stuart, Florida.- History :...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- east - St. Lucie CountySt. Lucie County, FloridaSt. Lucie County is a county located in the state of Florida. The county seat is the city of Fort Pierce. In the year 2000, the population was 192,695. As of the year 2010, the United States Census Bureau sets the population at 277,789.- History :...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- east - Palm Beach CountyPalm Beach County, FloridaPalm Beach County is the largest county in the state of Florida in total area, and third in population. As of 2010, the county's estimated population was 1,320,134, making it the twenty-eighth most populous in the United States...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- southeast - Glades CountyGlades County, FloridaGlades County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 10,576. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 11,252 . Its county seat is Moore Haven, Florida.- History :...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- southwest - Hendry CountyHendry County, FloridaHendry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 36,210. The U.S. Census Bureau 2007 estimate for the county is 39,611 . Its county seat is La Belle. The county comprises the Clewiston, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Hendry County...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- southwest - Highlands CountyHighlands County, FloridaHighlands County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the population was 97,346. Its county seat is Sebring, Florida. The county comprises the Sebring, Florida, Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- west - Polk CountyPolk County, FloridaPolk County is located in central Florida between the Tampa Bay and Greater Orlando metropolitan areas. The county was established by the state government in 1861 on the eve of the American Civil War and named after former United States president James K. Polk. The county seat is Bartow and its...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- northwest - Osceola CountyOsceola County, FloridaOsceola County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 172,493. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county is 244,045, making it the 17th fastest-growing county in the United States. Its county seat is Kissimmee.- History :Osceola County was...
, FloridaFloridaFlorida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
- northwest
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 35,910 people, 12,593 households, and 9,016 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 46 people per square mile (18/km²). There were 15,504 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 79.28% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 7.92% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.54% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.67% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 9.56% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.99% from two or more races. 18.61% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
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.
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Unincorporated
- Cypress QuartersCypress Quarters, FloridaCypress Quarters is a census-designated place in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,150 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Cypress Quarters is located at ....
- Taylor CreekTaylor Creek, FloridaTaylor Creek is a census-designated place in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,289 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Taylor Creek is located at ....
- Ancient Oaks
- Catterson
- Barber QuartersBarber Quarters, FloridaBarber Quarters is an unincorporated community in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. It is a suburb of Okeechobee, located to its north on U.S Route 441.-Geography:Barber Quarters is located at ....
- Basinger
- Basswood Estates
- Dixie Ranch Acres
- Fort DrumFort Drum, FloridaFort Drum is a town in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. It is located on US 441, between Yeehaw Junction and Okeechobee. A service plaza on Florida's Turnpike is named after the town. The Fort Drum Wildlife Management Area was named for its proximity to the town and is known as the...
- Hilolo
- Mildred
- Sherman
- Treasure IslandTreasure Island, FloridaTreasure Island is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 7,450. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the city had a population of 7,521.-Geography:...
- Upthegrove Beach
- Whispering PinesWhispering Pines, FloridaWhispering Pines is an unincorporated community in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States. It is a suburb of Okeechobee, located to its north on US 441.-Geography:Whispering Pines is located at ....
- Four Seasons
See also
- Florida HeartlandFlorida HeartlandThe Florida Heartland is a region of Florida located to the north and west of Lake Okeechobee, composed of six inland, non-metropolitan counties — DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, and Okeechobee. In 2000, The US Census Bureau recorded the population of the region at 229,509...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Okeechobee County, FloridaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Okeechobee County, FloridaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Okeechobee County, Florida.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties on the National Register of Historic Places in Okeechobee County, Florida, United States...
Governmental
- Board of County Commissioners
- Constitutional Officers
- School district
- Multi-county Districts
- Judicial
Non-governmental
- Okeechobee Official Discussion Forum
- Willson-Mixon & Associates, Inc.
- 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