Highlands County, Florida

Infobox U.S. County
county = Highlands County
state = Florida


founded date = April 23
founded year = 1921
seat wl = Sebring
largest city wl = Sebring
city type =
area_total_sq_mi = 1106.28
area_total_km2 = 2865.25
area_land_sq_mi = 1028.27
area_land_km2 = 2663.21
area_water_sq_mi = 78.01
area_water_km2 = 202.01
area percentage = 7.05%
census yr = 2000
pop = 86366
density_sq_mi = 85.0
density_km2 = 32.82
time zone = Eastern
footnotes =
web = www.hcbcc.net
named for = county's terrain| Highlands County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the population is 97,346. [cite web |url=http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2006-01-12.xls |title=Annual Estimates of the Population for the Counties of Florida:April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006 |publisher=US Census Bureau |accessdate=2007-10-14] Its county seat is Sebring, Florida.GR|6 The county comprises the Sebring, Florida Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Highlands County was created in 1921, when it was separated from Desoto County. It was named for the terrain of the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of convert|1106.28|sqmi|km2|1. convert|1028.27|sqmi|km2|1 of it is land and convert|78.01|sqmi|km2|1 of it (7.05%) is water.cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/GCTTable?_bm=y&-context=gct&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-CONTEXT=gct&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_GCTPH1_US25&-tree_id=4001&-redoLog=false&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=04000US12&-format=ST-2|ST-2S&-_lang=en
title=GCT-PH1. Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2000 |publisher=US Census Bureau |accessdate=2007-10-14]

Adjacent counties

*Osceola County, Florida - north
*Okeechobee County, Florida - east
*Glades County, Florida - south
*Charlotte County, Florida - southwest
*DeSoto County, Florida - west
*Hardee County, Florida - west
*Polk County, Florida - northwest

National protected area

* Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (part)

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 87,366 people, 37,471 households, and 25,780 families residing in the county. The population density was 85.00 peolple per square mile (32.82/km²). There were 48,846 housing units at an average density of 47.5/sq mi (18.34/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.47% White, 9.33% Black or African American, 0.44% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 4.14% from other races, and 1.53% from two or more races. 12.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2005 Highlands County's population was 73.8% non-Hispanic white, 15.1% Latino, 9.6% African-American and 1.2% Asian.cite web |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12055.html |title=QuickFacts: Highlands County, Florida |publisher=US Census Bureau |accessdate=2007-08-25]

In 2000 there were 37,471 households out of which 20.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 26.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.70.

In the county the population was spread out with 19.20% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 19.30% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 33.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,160, and the median income for a family was $35,647. Males had a median income of $26,811 versus $20,725 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,222. About 10.20% of families and 15.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.60% of those under age 18 and 7.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated

*Avon Park
*Lake Placid
*Sebring

Unincorporated

*Avon Park Lakes
*Brighton
*Cornwell
*De Soto City
*Fort Basinger
*Fort Kissimmee
*Hicora
*Lorida
*Placid Lakes
*Spring Lake
*Sun 'n Lake of Sebring
*Sylvan Shores
*Venus

ee also

*Florida Heartland

References

External links

Government links/Constitutional offices

* [http://www.hcbcc.net/index.htm Highlands County Board of County Commissioners] official website
* [http://www.heartlineweb.org/elections/ Highlands County Supervisor of Elections]
* [http://www.appraiser.co.highlands.fl.us/ Highlands County Property Appraiser]
* [http://www.hctaxcollector.com/ Highlands County Tax Collector]

pecial districts

* [http://www.highlands.k12.fl.us/ Highlands County Public Schools]
* [http://www.sfwmd.gov South Florida Water Management District]
* [http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us Southwest Florida Water Management District]
* [http://www.myhlc.org Heartland Library Cooperative]

Judicial branch

* [http://www.hcclerk.org/ Highlands County Clerk of Courts]
* [http://www.jud10.org/pd.htm Public Defender, 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida] serving Hardee, Highlands, and Polk counties
* [http://www.fpaa.state.fl.us/Circuit/%5C%5Cjud10.flcourts.org/sa.htm Office of the State Attorney, 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida]
* [http://www.jud10.org/ Circuit and County Court for the 10th Judicial Circuit of Florida]

Tourism links

* [http://www.highlandscvb.com/ Highlands County Convention and Visitors Bureau]
* Highlands Hammock State Park