Okeechobee County (US: /oʊkiˈtʃoʊbi/^[1]) is a county located in the Florida Heartland region of the state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 39,644.^[2] The county seat is Okeechobee.^[3]

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Okeechobee County
County
County of Okeechobee
The Okeechobee County Judicial Center, in Okeechobee
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 27°23′N 80°53′W
Country	United States
State	Florida
Founded	May 8, 1917
Named for	Lake Okeechobee
Seat	Okeechobee
Largest city	Okeechobee
Area
• Total	892 sq mi (2,310 km2)
• Land	769 sq mi (1,990 km2)
• Water	123 sq mi (320 km2)  13.8%
Population  (2020)
• Total	39,644
• Density	52/sq mi (20/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	34972, 34973, 34974
Area code	863
Congressional district	17th
Website	www.co.okeechobee.fl.us

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Okeechobee County was incorporated in 1917. It was named for Lake Okeechobee, which was itself named for the Seminole Indian^[4] words okee (water) and chobee (big).

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 892 square miles (2,310 km²), of which 769 square miles (1,990 km²) is land and 123 square miles (320 km²) (13.8%) is water.^[5]

Okeechobee County comprises the Okeechobee, FL Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA), which is included in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Port St. Lucie, FL Combined Statistical Area. The μSA was first designated by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget in 2003.^[6][7]

The Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, part of the Florida National Scenic Trail, runs along the Herbert Hoover Dike around the Lake.

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 39,644 people, 14,601 households, and 9,837 families residing in the county.

As of the census of 2010, there were 39,996 people, 13,857 households, and 9,016 families residing in the county. The population density was 46 inhabitants per square mile (18/km²). There were 15,504 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (8/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.9% White, 8.6% Black or African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.2% from two or more races. 24.5% 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.^[17]

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 in 2000 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.

In 2010 the median income for a household in the county was $36,929, 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.

Okeechobee County is part of the Heartland Library Cooperative which serves Okeechobee County and some of the surrounding counties, including Glades, Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto. The seven-branch library system has one branch in the city of Okeechobee and is also affiliated with Indian River State College through its Dixon Hendry campus.

• Florida Heartland
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Okeechobee County, Florida
• Treasure Coast