Glades County, Florida | |
|---|---|
 Glades County Courthouse | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofFlorida | |
| Coordinates:26°57′N81°11′W / 26.95°N 81.19°W /26.95; -81.19 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Florida |
| Founded | April 23, 1921 |
| Named after | Florida Everglades |
| Seat | Moore Haven |
| Largest city | Moore Haven |
| Area | |
• Total | 987 sq mi (2,560 km2) |
| • Land | 806 sq mi (2,090 km2) |
| • Water | 181 sq mi (470 km2) 18.3% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 12,126 |
• Estimate (2023) | 12,786 |
| • Density | 15.0/sq mi (5.81/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 17th |
| Website | www |
Glades County is acounty located in theFlorida Heartland region of theU.S. state ofFlorida. As of the2020 census, the population was 12,126,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in Florida. Itscounty seat isMoore Haven.[2] Glades County is in theClewiston micropolitan area, aMicropolitan statistical area (μSA) which also includesHendry County.[3] These two counties, along with theCape Coral-Fort Myers (Lee County) MSA and theNaples-Marco Island (Collier County) MSA, constitute theCape Coral-Fort Myers-NaplesCombined Statistical Area (CSA).
Indigenous people lived in this area for thousands of years. Due to warfare and exposure toinfectious diseases afterEuropean contact, native tribes became depopulated. In the eighteenth century, when the area was underSpanish rule,Native American peoples ofCreek and other tribes migrated into present-day Florida fromGeorgia.Africans andAfrican Americans who escaped fromslavery and shipwrecks also migrated to the area, where they createdmaroon communities. Some were given freedom by the Spanish in exchange for serving with their militias. Gradually theSeminole nation formed out of these multi-ethnic people. Some African-descended people set up communities near the Seminole and became known asBlack Seminole. In the nineteenth century, most of the Seminole and many blacks were removed toIndian Territory after theSeminole Wars, a result of pressure from increasing Anglo-American settlement.
Glades County was created, in 1921, from Desoto County. It was named for theFlorida Everglades, though most of the county is prairie and pinelands.[6]
It is one of five counties surroundingLake Okeechobee and theLake Okeechobee Scenic Trail.
Glades County sponsors one of Florida's oldest recurring festivals.Chalo Nitka Festival is a celebration of local history and culture, similar to a county fair. The festival also draws attention to the long and friendly relationship between the localSeminole groups and Glades County settlers.Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation is located in the county.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 987 square miles (2,560 km2), of which 806 square miles (2,090 km2) is land and 181 square miles (470 km2) (18.3%) is water.[7]
Fisheating Creek is a stream that flows intoLake Okeechobee in Florida. It is the only remaining free-flowing watercourse feeding into the lake and the second-largest natural source for the lake.
Glades was added to theClewiston micropolitan area (μSA) in July 2023.[8]
| Climate data for Glades County, Florida (1980-2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 73.7 (23.2) | 76.3 (24.6) | 80.0 (26.7) | 84.1 (28.9) | 89.3 (31.8) | 91.1 (32.8) | 91.8 (33.2) | 91.8 (33.2) | 90.1 (32.3) | 86.1 (30.1) | 80.2 (26.8) | 75.1 (23.9) | 84.1 (29.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 47.8 (8.8) | 50.9 (10.5) | 54.6 (12.6) | 58.0 (14.4) | 64.6 (18.1) | 70.2 (21.2) | 71.8 (22.1) | 72.4 (22.4) | 71.4 (21.9) | 65.2 (18.4) | 57.3 (14.1) | 51.1 (10.6) | 61.3 (16.3) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 1.9 (48) | 2.5 (64) | 3.3 (84) | 2.3 (58) | 3.3 (84) | 8.6 (220) | 7.7 (200) | 7.9 (200) | 6.7 (170) | 2.7 (69) | 2.0 (51) | 1.9 (48) | 50.8 (1,296) |
| Source: USA.com[9] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 2,762 | — | |
| 1940 | 2,745 | −0.6% | |
| 1950 | 2,199 | −19.9% | |
| 1960 | 2,950 | 34.2% | |
| 1970 | 3,669 | 24.4% | |
| 1980 | 5,992 | 63.3% | |
| 1990 | 7,591 | 26.7% | |
| 2000 | 10,576 | 39.3% | |
| 2010 | 12,884 | 21.8% | |
| 2020 | 12,126 | −5.9% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 12,786 | [10] | 5.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] 1790-1960[12] 1900-1990[13] 1990-2000[14] 2010-2019[1] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[15] | Pop 1990[16] | Pop 2000[17] | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 4,611 | 5,634 | 7,256 | 7,947 | 7,132 | 76.95% | 74.22% | 68.61% | 61.68% | 58.82% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 805 | 916 | 1,106 | 1,538 | 1,434 | 13.43% | 12.07% | 10.46% | 11.94% | 11.83% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 336 | 425 | 473 | 518 | 193 | 5.61% | 5.60% | 4.47% | 4.02% | 1.59% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 7 | 10 | 31 | 46 | 34 | 0.12% | 0.13% | 0.29% | 0.36% | 0.28% |
| Native Hawaiian orPacific Islander alone (NH) | x[20] | x[21] | 2 | 2 | 0 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.00% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 5 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 45 | 0.08% | 0.01% | 0.09% | 0.08% | 0.37% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x[22] | x[23] | 105 | 103 | 238 | x | x | 0.99% | 0.80% | 1.96% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 228 | 605 | 1,594 | 2,720 | 3,050 | 3.81% | 7.97% | 15.07% | 21.11% | 25.15% |
| Total | 5,992 | 7,591 | 10,576 | 12,884 | 12,126 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Non-Hispanic White 40–50% >90% No population |
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 12,126. The median age was 45.3 years. 16.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 25.8% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 135.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 143.8 males age 18 and over.[24]
The racial makeup of the county was 68.0%White, 12.1%Black or African American, 1.7%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Asian, <0.1%Native Hawaiian andPacific Islander, 7.1% from some other race, and 10.9% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 25.2% of the population.[25]
17.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 82.7% lived in rural areas.[26]
There were 4,250 households in the county, of which 25.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 49.2% were married-couple households, 21.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[24]
There were 6,491 housing units, of which 34.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.4% were owner-occupied and 19.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 14.4%.[24]
As of the2000 census, there were 10,576 people, 3,852 households, and 2,765 families residing in the county. Thepopulation density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). There were 5,790 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.99%White, 10.53%Black orAfrican American, 4.93%Native American, 0.33%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 5.63% fromother races, and 1.58% from two or more races. 15.07% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.[27]
There were 3,852 households, out of which 25.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% weremarried couples living together, 8.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 22.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.91.[27]
In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 18.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 121.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 125.40 males.[27]
The median income for a household in the county was $30,774, and the median income for a family was $34,223. Males had a median income of $29,196 versus $20,987 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $15,338. About 10.70% of families and 15.20% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.20% of those under age 18 and 11.20% of those age 65 or over.[27]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1924 | 83 | 23.92% | 212 | 61.10% | 52 | 14.99% |
| 1928 | 331 | 53.73% | 281 | 45.62% | 4 | 0.65% |
| 1932 | 148 | 21.89% | 528 | 78.11% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 235 | 31.00% | 523 | 69.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 180 | 27.95% | 464 | 72.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 164 | 30.54% | 373 | 69.46% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 150 | 27.03% | 274 | 49.37% | 131 | 23.60% |
| 1952 | 264 | 39.70% | 401 | 60.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 309 | 47.69% | 339 | 52.31% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 314 | 44.35% | 394 | 55.65% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 541 | 55.09% | 441 | 44.91% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 261 | 23.92% | 230 | 21.08% | 600 | 55.00% |
| 1972 | 1,019 | 78.81% | 253 | 19.57% | 21 | 1.62% |
| 1976 | 624 | 31.76% | 1,311 | 66.72% | 30 | 1.53% |
| 1980 | 1,098 | 45.96% | 1,203 | 50.36% | 88 | 3.68% |
| 1984 | 1,987 | 65.00% | 1,070 | 35.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 1,547 | 59.66% | 1,034 | 39.88% | 12 | 0.46% |
| 1992 | 1,185 | 35.12% | 1,305 | 38.68% | 884 | 26.20% |
| 1996 | 1,361 | 39.67% | 1,530 | 44.59% | 540 | 15.74% |
| 2000 | 1,841 | 54.71% | 1,442 | 42.85% | 82 | 2.44% |
| 2004 | 2,443 | 58.33% | 1,718 | 41.02% | 27 | 0.64% |
| 2008 | 2,533 | 59.45% | 1,674 | 39.29% | 54 | 1.27% |
| 2012 | 2,344 | 58.54% | 1,603 | 40.03% | 57 | 1.42% |
| 2016 | 2,996 | 68.37% | 1,271 | 29.01% | 115 | 2.62% |
| 2020 | 3,782 | 72.69% | 1,385 | 26.62% | 36 | 0.69% |
| 2024 | 4,034 | 76.11% | 1,222 | 23.06% | 44 | 0.83% |
According to the Secretary of State's office, Republicans are a majority of registered voters in Glades County.
| Glades County Voter Registration & Party Enrollment as of July 31, 2022[32] | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Party | Total Voters | Percentage | |||
| Republican | 3,506 | 50.88% | |||
| Democratic | 1,959 | 28.43% | |||
| No party affiliation | 1,303 | 18.91% | |||
| Minor parties | 122 | 1.77% | |||
| Total | 6,890 | 100.00% | |||
Florida Public Service Commission voted unanimously to deny a request by Florida Power and Light to build a hugecoal-fired power plant in Glades County, that was to be located several miles to the west ofLake Okeechobee.[33]The Glades County Commission also allowed the construction in 2007 of a 200-acre (0.81 km2) landfill on the southwest shore ofLake Okeechobee.
Glades County is part of the Heartland Library Cooperative which serves Glades County and some of the surrounding counties, includingOkeechobee,Highlands,Hardee, andDeSoto. Of the system's seven branches, the Moore Haven branch is the only one located in Glades County.
Places adjacent to Glades County, Florida | |
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Municipalities and communities ofGlades County, Florida,United States | ||
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| City |  | |
| CDP | ||
| Indian reservation | ||
| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Ghost towns | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
26°57′N81°11′W / 26.95°N 81.19°W /26.95; -81.19
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| National | |
| Other | |
