Hardee County

A smaller Florida county found south of Lakeland, Hardee County is home to Wauchula, Florida. It's located off Highway 17, which connects Zolfo Springs, Bowling Green, and Wauchula, the only three towns in the county.

Explore the Hardee County Communities below...

Top Industries in Hardee County

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, & Hunting dominate the industries in Hardee County. However, Mining, Quarrying, and Oil & Gas Extraction are the highest paying industries found throughout the county.

Other industries found within Hardee County, FL include:

• Retail Trade
• Construction
• Utilities
• Education
• Transportation
• Food Preparation & serving

Compared to other Florida Counties, Hardee County has a high number of residents working in the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry occupations and within Law Enforcement. In addition, a new AdventHealth was constructed in 2017, which has added more workers in the healthcare field to the county.

Hardee County Community Map

Things to Do in Hardee County

Known for Cowboys, Canoes, and Pioneers, Hardee County offers plenty of unique attractions throughout. Zolfo Springs is one of the towns found here and offers Pioneer Park, which includes a highly-rated Wildlife Refuge. It's also home to the Cracker Trail Museum & Village.

Wauchula offers a downtown perfect for shopping and dining with several good options. It's also home to Heritage Park, which offers a beautiful fountain with Sandhill crane sculptures. Those seeking adventure will find it through Peace River Paddle Sports & Kuleana Adventures.

Bowling Green, the other town found in Hardee County, offers Payne's Creek Historic State Park. This park provides a look at history dating back to 1849 and offers a playground, trails, and more.

The county is also home to Hardee Lakes Park, which is about 1,200 acres in size with four lakes and plenty of things to do. Solomon's Castle is another popular attraction offering something very unique with a Boat in the Moat Restaurants, beautiful trails, and tours of the actual castle.

Heritage Park Antiques is a popular spot for shopping with plenty of furniture, glassware, chalk paint, and so much more. Another popular shop found in Hardee County is the Hardee Ranch Supply store, which provides all kinds of options for those needing feed, tack, and other ranch supplies.

Events & Festivals in Hardee County

Along with the many attractions, Hardee County is home to several events held throughout the year. Pioneer Park Days may be the biggest and most popular event held in Zolfo Springs of the year. It's usually held in February each year.

The Hardee County Fair is another huge event held every year and offers plenty of fun for those within the area. It features a thrilling midway with plenty of rides and plenty of fair food.

The Peace River Pro Rodeo Classic is also rather popular. This event offers a look at the Women's Professional Rodeo Association with a total of eight events over two days.

Many other events are held throughout the year in Hardee County. With Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Lake Placid not far away, residents gain access to many other events and things to do just a short drive away.

Tampa, Fort Myers, and Orlando are also all within day-trip distance making it easy to enjoy some of the best Florida has to offer from Hardee County.