Key Indicators – Hardee County
Source: FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Updated 08/29/25 0935
Maps – Housing
Map – Household Vacancy
The percentage of all housing units that are currently vacant and not occupied by the owner or a renter.
At 17.6% Hardee County has a housing vacancy rate higher than 61% of counties in the state, but comparable to most of the neighboring counties.
Source: Owner-Occupied Housing Units (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Homeownership
The percentage of all occupied households in which the occupant owns the house
The homeowner occupancy rate in Hardee County is 71.4%, putting Hardee County in the lowest 40% of counties for home owner occupancy.
Source: Owner-Occupied Housing Units (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Rental Vacancy
The percentage of all houses for rent that remain vacant
The rental vacancy rate in Hardee County is 3.1%. This is amongst the lowest rental vacancy rates in the state of Florida, and is a lower vacancy rate than all of the surrounding counties.
Source: Rental Vacancy Rate (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Median Home Value
Median value of all listed homes sold in the county in 2023
The median home value in Hardee County is $129,400. This is in the lowest 20% of median home values in the state of Florida, and is lower than the median home value in all of the surrounding counties.
Source: Median Owner-Occupied Housing Unit Value (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Housing Cost Burden (All Households)
Renters and homeowners spending more than 30% of income on housing
24.1% of all residents in Hardee County are considered Housing Burdened. That is, 24.1% of Hardee County residents spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. This is actually a relatively low rate of burden in the state of Florida, and is a burden rate that is less than 2/3 of Florida counties.
Map – Housing Cost Burden (Homeowners Only)
Homeowners spending more than 30% of their income on a mortgage and other housing costs
13.1% of all homeowners in Hardee County are considered Housing Burdened. That is, 13.1% of Hardee County homeowners spend more than 30% of their monthly income on mortgage costs. This is one of the lowest homeowner cost burden rates in the state of Florida.
Map – Housing Cost Burden (Renters)
Renters paying more than 30% of their income towards rent
58.9% of Hardee County renters spend more than 30% of their monthly income on rental costs, and are thus considered housing burdened. The renter burden rate in Hardee County is lower than 2/3 of Florida counties.
Map – Homelessness
Total number of reported homeless persons in the county
It is estimated that approximately 195 homeless individuals reside in Hardee County. Notably, the median number of homeless persons per county across Florida is also 195.
Map – Public Assistance
Percentage of county residents receiving SNAP benefits, rental assistance, or other direct cash government assistance.
28% of Hardee County residents receive rental assistance, SNAP benefits, or direct cash benefits, the highest rate in the area, and one of the highest government assistance rates in the state of Florida.
Source: Households Receiving Cash Public Assistance or Food Stamps (Census ACS), FL healthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Severe Housing Problems
Percentage of households lacking kitchen facilities, lacking working plumbing, overcrowded, or paying more than 50% of income toward housing
With 11.9% of its residents experiencing severe housing problems, Hardee County’s rate is lower than that of over two-thirds of other Florida counties.
Source: Population with Severe Housing Problems, FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Home Ownership Statistics – Hardee County
Rental Statistics – Hardee County
ALICE Dashboard
Some families exceed the income level of the Federal Poverty Line, but still struggle to collect enough income to make ends meet and provide basic necessities. These families fall below the ALICE threshold.
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. These workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin, while keeping our local communities running.
