Total enrollment
4,547
-659 (-13%) vs SY 2017-18
Hardee County
Florida · Public K-12
Hardee County is one of Florida's public-school counties, with 11 campuses serving about 4,547 students (6 elementary and 3 high). Median household income in the county is roughly $60,489.
7-year change in Hardee County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
-1 (-10%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
29%
was 29%
% Hispanic
63%
was 63%
% Black
6%
was 6%
% Asian
1%
was 1%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
11
1 districts
Enrollment
4,547
NCES CCD
Median income
$60,489
Below Florida avg
Free/reduced lunch
74.9%
Above Florida avg
Elementary
6
2,163 students
Middle
0
schools
High
3
2,332 students
Combined / other
2
52 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
HARDEE
4,547 students · 1 district in Hardee County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Hardee County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
12.1%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
20.3%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
5.9%
civilian labor
Median age
36
24.4% under 18
Test scores in Hardee County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 7 schools ranked. Florida state average: 57.1%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 63.4%
- ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 53.7%
- HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL· 49.0%
- HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL· 47.6%
- BOWLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 46.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- NORTH WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 44.3%
- HILLTOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 45.8%
- BOWLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 46.0%
- HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL· 47.6%
- HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL· 49.0%
| Name | City | Level | Grades | Enrollment | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Wauchula | High | 09-12 | 1,347 | · |
| HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL | Wauchula | High | 06-12 | 958 | · |
| WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Wauchula | Elementary | PK-05 | 577 | · |
| NORTH WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Wauchula | Elementary | PK-05 | 516 | · |
| ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Zolfo Springs | Elementary | PK-05 | 512 | · |
| HILLTOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Wauchula | Elementary | PK-05 | 298 | · |
| BOWLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | Bowling Green | Elementary | PK-05 | 260 | · |
| HARDEE VIRTUAL FRANCHISE | Wauchula | Combined | KG-12 | 52 | · |
| PIONEER CAREER ACADEMY | Wauchula | High | 06-12 | 27 | · |
| HARDEE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM | Wauchula | Combined | KG-12 | 0 | · |
| HARDEE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM (DISTRICT PROVIDED) | Wauchula | Elementary | KG-05 | 0 | · |
Cities in Hardee County
About Hardee County
In Florida, Hardee County is a rural-scale county of about 25,675 residents. 11 public schools across the county educates about 4,547 students between them.
In context, census numbers show typical household earnings sit around $60,489, roughly 12% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 20% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 12% lower than the Florida median.
For a sense of the school types, Hardee County covers 6 elementary schools (2,163 students), 3 high schools (2,332), and 2 combined or other schools.
HARDEE is the biggest district by enrollment, covering about 4,547 students across Hardee County.
Five-year track record. Total public-school enrollment in Hardee County has declined 13% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 5,206 students to 4,547. Over that span, Hardee County shed 1 school, going from 10 to 9.
On allk12, the community for Hardee County discusses sports rivalries, cross-district programs, and shared facilities. Discussions cut across districts, schools, and grade levels.
Frequently asked questions
Hardee County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data