Highlands County, Florida

Highlands County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 98,786.[2] Its county seat is Sebring.[3]

Highlands County
U.S. county
Highlands County Courthouse
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 27°20′N 81°20′W
Country United States
State Florida
FoundedApril 23, 1921
Named forcounty's terrain
SeatSebring
Largest citySebring
Area
 • Total1,106 sq mi (2,860 km2)
 • Land1,017 sq mi (2,630 km2)
 • Water89 sq mi (230 km2)  8.1%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
106,221[1]
 • Density101/sq mi (39/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district17th
Websitewww.hcbcc.net

Highlands County comprises the Sebring-Avon Park, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Highlands County was created in 1921 along with Charlotte, Glades, and Hardee, when they were separated from DeSoto County. It was named for the terrain of the county. It boasted the fifth-oldest population in America in 2012.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,106 square miles (2,860 km2), of which 1,017 square miles (2,630 km2) is land and 89 square miles (230 km2) (8.1%) is water.[4][5] In area, it is the 14th largest county in Florida. Highlands County is bounded on the east by the Kissimmee River. Lake Istokpoga, the largest lake in the county, is connected to the Kissimmee River by two canals; the Istokpoga canal, and the C41 (outflow) canal.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
19309,192—
19409,2460.6%
195013,63647.5%
196021,33856.5%
197029,50738.3%
198047,52661.1%
199068,43244.0%
200087,36627.7%
201098,78613.1%
2019 (est.)106,221[6]7.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2019[2]

As of 2015, there were 99,491 people and 39,931 households living in the county. The population density was 97.2 people per square mile. The racial makeup of the county was 85.8% White, 10.4% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 1.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races. 18.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 51.3% of the entire population are female. The median household income was $35,560 with 20.1% of the population being below the poverty level from 2009 to 2013.[11] The poverty line for Florida was $11,490 in 2013.[12]

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 87,366 people, 37,471 households, and 25,780 families living in the county. The population density was 85.00 people per square mile (32.82/km2). There were 48,846 housing units at an average density of 47.5 per square mile (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 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.

Transportation

Highways

Airports

Rail

Government

Highlands County is governed by five elected County Commissioners and an appointed County Administrator. The administrator has executive powers to implement all decisions, ordinances, motions, and policies/procedures set forth by the Board. The FY 2013-2014 adopted budget of the county is approximately $123 million and the county employees over 350 people in 31 departments of the administration. Other organizations of the county include, the Clerk of Courts with about 75 positions, Sheriff's Office with about 340 positions, County Appraisers Office with about 30 positions, Tax Collectors Office with about 40 positions, and Elections Office with 5 positions. In all there are about 860 positions in Highlands County government.

Law Enforcement

Highlands County Sheriffs Office is the primary law enforcement agency for the non incorporated areas of Highlands County, Paul Blackman is the Sheriff. The City of Sebring and Town of Lake Placid have their own respective police departments. Avon Park Police Department closed its doors in 2015, the Sheriffs Office is now the primary law enforcement agency for the town. All public safety in Highlands County utilize a Motorola P25 Trunked Radio System which was initiated by Polk County. Highlands and Hardee Counties have piggybacked onto the system. To date, Highlands County Law Enforcement is the only law enforcement on the entire system to use 24/7 ADP encryption.

Politics

Highlands County, like the relatively nearby southwest coast, is strongly Republican: the last Democrat to win a majority in the county was Harry Truman in 1948.[14] Like North Florida, but unlike the southwest coast, George Wallace was able to outpoll the Democratic Party here in 1968,[15] and only in 1992 and 1996 has the Republican candidate not won an absolute majority since then.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results
Year Republican Democratic Other
2020 66.8% 34,873 32.4% 16,938 0.8% 432
2016 64.3% 29,565 32.5% 14,937 3.3% 1,509
2012 60.9% 25,915 38.0% 16,148 1.1% 478
2008 58.4% 26,221 40.4% 18,135 1.3% 566
2004 62.4% 25,878 37.0% 15,347 0.6% 271
2000 57.5% 20,207 40.3% 14,169 2.2% 776
1996 46.3% 15,617 42.3% 14,250 11.4% 3,847
1992 44.8% 14,499 34.7% 11,237 20.5% 6,655
1988 67.1% 16,723 32.4% 8,091 0.5% 127
1984 69.5% 16,474 30.5% 7,217 0.0% 3
1980 62.0% 11,925 34.7% 6,688 3.3% 636
1976 52.9% 8,317 45.9% 7,218 1.3% 198
1972 79.5% 9,645 20.3% 2,458 0.2% 30
1968 43.0% 4,560 24.3% 2,582 32.7% 3,475
1964 52.9% 4,747 47.1% 4,233
1960 58.3% 4,369 41.7% 3,122
1956 60.3% 3,480 39.7% 2,296
1952 51.9% 2,952 48.1% 2,736
1948 34.5% 1,471 53.0% 2,257 12.5% 532
1944 29.3% 874 70.7% 2,113
1940 28.4% 878 71.6% 2,215
1936 30.7% 842 69.3% 1,898
1932 35.8% 851 64.2% 1,525
1928 66.5% 1,393 32.0% 669 1.5% 32
1924 33.4% 265 57.6% 457 9.1% 72

Economy

Top employers

The top private employers of Highlands County are as follows:[16]
1. Florida Hospital (1500)
2. Walmart (796)
3. Agero (600)
4. Highlands Regional Medical Center (413)
5. Delray Plants (350)
6. Palms of Sebring (257)
7. Alan Jay Automotive Network (250)
8. Lake Placid Health Care (210)
9. Positive Medical Transport (150)
10. E-Stone USA (87)

Libraries

Highlands County is part of the Heartland Library Cooperative which has 7 branches that serve Highlands County and some of the surrounding counties in the Florida Heartland, including Glades, DeSoto, Hardee, and Okeechobee.

Communities

Cities

Town

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/highlandscountyflorida/PST045217
  2. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  5. "GCT-PH1. Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2000". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2007-10-14.
  6. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  10. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
  11. "US Census Bureau". United States Census Bureau. 2014-12-04. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
  12. "2013 US Poverty Guidelines". United States Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved 2015-01-21.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  14. Sullivan, Robert David; ‘How the Red and Blue Map Evolved Over the Past Century’; America Magazine in The National Catholic Review; June 29, 2016
  15. David Leip’s Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections; 1968 Presidential General Election Data Graphs – Florida by County (see also other election years since 1960)
  16. http://www.lpfla.com/2014%20Highlands%20County%20Demographics.pdf Archived 2017-02-02 at the Wayback Machine IPFLA

Government links/Constitutional offices

Special districts

Judicial branch

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