CountyScore

Hardee County

Florida · FL

#43 in Florida
62.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Hardee County, Florida

Hardee exceeds national livability median

Hardee County's composite score of 70.4 outperforms the national median of 50.0, placing it at approximately the 84th percentile nationally. This 41% advantage indicates above-average livability by national composite standards.

Hardee ranks just above state average

At 70.4, Hardee County slightly exceeds Florida's state average of 69.4, positioning it in the middle range of Florida's 67 counties. The narrow margin reflects comparable livability to many statewide peers.

Strong housing affordability drives appeal

Hardee County excels with a cost score of 81.5, median home value of $129,400, and median monthly rent of $954—among Florida's most affordable options. These exceptional housing costs create strong accessibility for budget-conscious residents.

Income and taxes present dual pressures

Hardee faces meaningful challenges with an income score of 18.8 (median household income $54,231) and elevated tax burden (72.8 tax score, 1.050% effective rate). Safety, health, school, and environmental data remain unavailable for fuller assessment.

Suits remote workers prioritizing affordability

Hardee County appeals to remote workers, retirees, and budget-conscious families seeking low housing costs and simpler living in a rural setting. The county's exceptional affordability compensates for limited local income opportunities and higher relative tax rates.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax72.8Cost81.5SafetyComing SoonHealth51.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome18.8Risk30.8WaterComing Soon
🏛72.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼18.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤51.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡30.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Hardee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Boulder County
Colorado
62.3
Median income: $102,772
Martin County
Florida
62.3
Median income: $80,701
Okaloosa County
Florida
62.3
Median income: $79,097
Cumberland County
Maine
62.3
Median income: $92,983
Kalamazoo County
Michigan
62.3
Median income: $70,525

Deep Dives

Hardee County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Hardee County

via TaxByCounty

Hardee has one of Florida's highest rates

Hardee County's effective tax rate of 1.050% ranks among the highest in Florida and well above the national median. The median property tax of $1,358 reflects the county's steep taxation of modest home values, creating a real burden for residents.

Second-highest taxes in the state

Hardee ranks second-highest in Florida for property tax rate at 1.050%, just behind Glades County at 1.013%, and 44% above the state average of 0.731%. Its median property tax of $1,358 is 72% above the state median of $1,885 relative to home values.

Heaviest burden in South Central Florida

Hardee's 1.050% rate rivals only Glades County statewide and far exceeds surrounding rural counties like DeSoto and Polk. For homeowners with modest incomes in this agricultural region, Hardee's tax rate represents an unusually heavy burden.

Median home: $1,358 in annual taxes

A homeowner with a $129,400 median-valued home in Hardee County pays approximately $1,358 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill climbs to $1,693; without one, it falls to $1,118.

Appeal your assessment—savings are critical

With the state's second-highest tax rate, Hardee County homeowners should absolutely challenge overassessments. If your assessed value exceeds comparable recent sales in your area, a Value Adjustment Board appeal could recoup hundreds annually and ease the county's heavy tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Hardee County

via CostByCounty

Hardee keeps housing affordable

Hardee County residents spend 21.1% of income on rent, below the national affordability standard and well below Florida's state average. With a median household income of $54,231 and rent at $954 monthly, Hardee offers solid affordability for working families in rural central Florida.

Hardee below Florida average

At 21.1%, Hardee's rent-to-income ratio undershoots Florida's 22.5% state average, making it a genuinely affordable county despite lower overall incomes. The $954 median rent falls $279 below the state median, positioning Hardee as an accessible rental market in the state.

Hardee's moderate affordability

Hardee's $954 rent sits between Gilchrist ($855) and Gulf ($1,161), with the county's $54,231 income providing reasonable balance for working residents. Among comparable rural counties, Hardee occupies the middle ground—not the absolute cheapest, but offering good value without sacrificing economic diversity.

Hardee's working-family housing

Renters spend $954 monthly from a $54,231 median income, consuming 21.1% of earnings and preserving adequate funds for family needs. Homeowners encounter median monthly costs of $636 (14% of income), with median home values of $129,400 making homeownership genuinely attainable for working families.

Hardee: affordable working-family choice

Hardee County suits working families seeking moderate housing costs without extreme rurality, positioned between Florida's most affordable and average markets. If you need reliable affordability with reasonable economic opportunity, Hardee's balanced profile delivers solid relocation value for household builders and savers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Hardee County

via IncomeByCounty

Hardee's income moderately below national mark

Hardee County's median household income of $54,231 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $20,500, placing it solidly below the U.S. average. The county's per capita income of $26,225 is also below national benchmarks, reflecting limited economic opportunities in this agricultural region.

Below-average earner within Florida

Hardee County's median household income of $54,231 sits 17.1% below Florida's state average of $65,468, ranking it in the lower half of Florida counties. The per capita income of $26,225 is also below the state average of $35,698, indicating modest earning power across households.

Hardee competes with agricultural counties

Hardee's $54,231 median household income is higher than Glades County ($38,905) and Hamilton County ($47,696) but trails Gadsden ($46,047). The county's economy remains agriculture-focused, limiting employment diversity and wage growth compared to more urbanized neighboring areas.

Housing remains very affordable

Hardee's rent-to-income ratio of 21.1% sits well below the 30% affordability threshold, making housing costs manageable for most households. With a median home value of $129,400, the county offers excellent housing values that don't strain household budgets significantly.

Build savings through smart budgeting

Hardee's low housing costs provide households with opportunities to save, pay down debt, and invest for future growth despite modest incomes. Explore agricultural employment advancement, vocational training, and remote work opportunities to supplement local income sources and strengthen financial foundations.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Hardee County

via HealthByCounty

Hardee's health profile demands attention

At 74.0 years, Hardee County's life expectancy falls 2.1 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly three in ten residents (28.3%) report poor or fair health—the highest rate in this analysis and well above the national average of 17.8%.

Lowest self-reported health in Florida

Hardee's 74.0-year life expectancy trails Florida's 75.8-year state average, and its 28.3% poor or fair health rate is the highest among these eight counties. The 17.9% uninsured rate also exceeds the state average of 14.4%, compounding barriers to preventive care.

Worst self-reported health regionally

Hardee's 28.3% poor or fair health rate surpasses all neighbors in this group, with Hamilton County at 26.4% as the second-worst. The county's 16 primary care providers per 100,000 is among the lowest, and 19 mental health providers per 100,000 indicates sparse behavioral health resources.

Dual crisis: uninsured + provider shortage

Hardee has just 16 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, forcing many to travel for routine care, and 17.9% of residents lack health insurance entirely. Nearly three in ten report poor health—the highest rate in this group—suggesting both access barriers and underlying health vulnerabilities.

Insurance opens doors to better care

With 17.9% of Hardee residents uninsured and 28.3% reporting poor health, getting coverage is an urgent priority. Contact healthcare.gov or Florida Medicaid at 1-888-540-6446 to find a plan—taking this step can be life-changing.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Hardee County

via RiskByCounty

Hardee County sits below national average

Hardee County's composite risk score of 69.18 falls below the national average, earning a relatively low risk rating. The inland South Florida location provides protection from extreme coastal hazards, though hurricane exposure remains meaningful.

Below Florida's state average risk

Hardee's score of 69.18 sits below Florida's state average of 75.74, positioning it among the safer counties in the state. The agricultural inland character limits flood and tornado exposure compared to coastal peers.

Riskier than nearby Glades County

Hardee's 69.18 score exceeds nearby Glades County (48.03) while remaining below Polk and Highlands counties, reflecting its mid-range position in Central Florida. The county sits between coastal and interior risk zones.

Wildfires and hurricanes lead threats

Wildfire risk of 82.89 is Hardee's highest hazard, driven by agricultural burning and forested areas, while hurricane risk of 91.36 remains substantial. Tornado risk of 42.49 and flood risk of 26.37 lag well behind these primary concerns.

Balance wildfire and hurricane coverage

Hardee residents should prioritize homeowners insurance with strong wind coverage for hurricanes, given the 91.36 risk score. Wildfire coverage through riders or supplemental policies is equally important for protecting structures in agricultural and forested zones.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.