Total enrollment
4,547
-392 (-8%) vs SY 2020-21
Hardee County
Florida · Public K-12
Hardee County is one of Florida's public-school counties, with 11 schools serving about 4,547 students (6 elementary and 3 high). Median household income in the county is roughly $60,489.
4-year change in Hardee County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
9
0 (0%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Hardee County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Florida | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 48.7% | #52 of 63 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 4,547 | #50 of 65 | #1,430 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 9 | #50 of 65 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 17.2:1 | #26 of 65 | #2,318 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 74.9% | #4 of 65 | #603 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 51.8% | #48 of 64 | #1,011 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Hardee County school rankings
Residents
25,675
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
11
1 districts
Enrollment
4,547
students · 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 8% since SY 2020-21, moving from about 4,939 students to 4,547.
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
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data