Glades County, Florida

Last updated

Glades County
Gladesctycourthousefl01.jpg
Glades County Courthouse
Map of Florida highlighting Glades County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Florida
Florida in United States.svg
Florida's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 26°57′N81°11′W / 26.95°N 81.19°W / 26.95; -81.19
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Florida.svg Florida
FoundedApril 23, 1921
Named after Florida Everglades
Seat Moore Haven
Largest cityMoore Haven
Area
  Total
987 sq mi (2,560 km2)
  Land806 sq mi (2,090 km2)
  Water181 sq mi (470 km2)  18.3%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
12,126
  Estimate 
(2023)
12,786 Increase2.svg
  Density12/sq mi (4.7/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 17th
Website www.myglades.com

Glades County is a county located in the Florida Heartland region of the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2020 census, the population was 12,126, [1] making it the fourth-least populous county in Florida. Its county seat is Moore Haven. [2] Glades County is in the Clewiston micropolitan area, a Micropolitan statistical area (μSA) which also includes Hendry County. [3] These two counties, along with the Cape Coral-Fort Myers (Lee County) MSA and the Naples-Marco Island (Collier County) MSA, constitute the Cape Coral- Fort Myers- Naples Combined Statistical Area (CSA).

Contents

Awards

History

Indigenous people lived in this area for thousands of years. Due to warfare and exposure to infectious diseases after European contact, native tribes became depopulated. In the eighteenth century, when the area was under Spanish rule, Native American peoples of Creek and other tribes migrated into present-day Florida from Georgia. Africans and African Americans who escaped from slavery and shipwrecks also migrated to the area, where they created maroon communities. Some were given freedom by the Spanish in exchange for serving with their militias. Gradually the Seminole nation formed out of these multi-ethnic people. Some African-descended people set up communities near the Seminole and became known as Black Seminole. In the nineteenth century, most of the Seminole and many blacks were removed to Indian Territory after the Seminole Wars, a result of pressure from increasing Anglo-American settlement.

Glades County was created, in 1921, from Desoto County. It was named for the Florida Everglades, though most of the county is prairie and pinelands. [6]

It is one of five counties surrounding Lake Okeechobee and the Lake 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 local Seminole groups and Glades County settlers. Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation is located in the county.

Geography

According to the U.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 into Lake 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 the Clewiston micropolitan area (μSA) in July 2023. [8]

Adjacent counties

Climate

Climate data for Glades County, Florida (1980-2010)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
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)
Average precipitation 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]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1930 2,762
1940 2,745−0.6%
1950 2,199−19.9%
1960 2,95034.2%
1970 3,66924.4%
1980 5,99263.3%
1990 7,59126.7%
2000 10,57639.3%
2010 12,88421.8%
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]
Glades County, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2000 [15] Pop 2010 [16] Pop 2020 [17] % 2000% 2010% 2020
White (NH)7,2567,9477,13268.61%61.68%58.82%
Black or African American (NH)1,1061,5381,43410.46%11.94%11.83%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)4735181934.47%4.02%1.59%
Asian (NH)3146340.29%0.36%0.28%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)2200.02%0.02%0.00%
Other race alone (NH)910450.09%0.08%0.37%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)1051032380.99%0.8%1.96%
Hispanic or Latino 1,5942,7203,05015.07%21.11%25.15%
Total10,57612,88412,126100.00%100.00%
A map of racial demographics in Glades County, Florida by Census tract
Legend
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Non-Hispanic White
.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
40-50%
>90%
No population 2023 Racial Demographics in Glades County by Census tract.svg
A map of racial demographics in Glades County, Florida by Census tract
Legend

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 12,126 people, 4,859 households, and 3,247 families residing in the county.

As of the census [18] of 2000, there were 10,576 people, 3,852 households, and 2,765 families residing in the county. The population 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 or African American, 4.93% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 5.63% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. 15.07% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

In 2005 the population was 67.0% non-Hispanic white, 17.6% Latino, 10.5% African-American and 4.9% Native American. [19]

There were 3,852 households, out of which 25.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.30% were married 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.

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.

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. The per capita income for the county was $15,338. About 10.70% of families and 15.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.20% of those under age 18 and 11.20% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Politics

United States presidential election results for Glades County, Florida [22] [23]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
1924 8323.92%21261.10%5214.99%
1928 33153.73%28145.62%40.65%
1932 14821.89%52878.11%00.00%
1936 23531.00%52369.00%00.00%
1940 18027.95%46472.05%00.00%
1944 16430.54%37369.46%00.00%
1948 15027.03%27449.37%13123.60%
1952 26439.70%40160.30%00.00%
1956 30947.69%33952.31%00.00%
1960 31444.35%39455.65%00.00%
1964 54155.09%44144.91%00.00%
1968 26123.92%23021.08%60055.00%
1972 1,01978.81%25319.57%211.62%
1976 62431.76%1,31166.72%301.53%
1980 1,09845.96%1,20350.36%883.68%
1984 1,98765.00%1,07035.00%00.00%
1988 1,54759.66%1,03439.88%120.46%
1992 1,18535.12%1,30538.68%88426.20%
1996 1,36139.67%1,53044.59%54015.74%
2000 1,84154.71%1,44242.85%822.44%
2004 2,44358.33%1,71841.02%270.64%
2008 2,53359.45%1,67439.29%541.27%
2012 2,34458.54%1,60340.03%571.42%
2016 2,99668.37%1,27129.01%1152.62%
2020 3,78272.69%1,38526.62%360.69%
2024 4,03476.11%1,22223.06%440.83%

Voter registration

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 [24]
Political PartyTotal VotersPercentage
Republican 3,50650.88%
Democratic 1,95928.43%
No party affiliation1,30318.91%
Minor parties1221.77%
Total6,890100.00%

Energy and environment

Florida Public Service Commission voted unanimously to deny a request by Florida Power and Light to build a huge coal-fired power plant in Glades County, that was to be located several miles to the west of Lake Okeechobee. [25] The Glades County Commission also allowed the construction in 2007 of a 200-acre (0.81 km2) landfill on the southwest shore of Lake Okeechobee.

Libraries

Glades County is part of the Heartland Library Cooperative which serves Glades County and some of the surrounding counties, including Okeechobee, Highlands, Hardee, and DeSoto. Of the system's seven branches, the Moore Haven branch is the only one located in Glades County.

Communities

Indian reservation

County Seat

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Memorials

See also

Notes

    References

    1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
    3. "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Guidance on the Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). Executive Office of the President. July 21, 2023. p. 91. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
    4. Kinner, Derek L. (January 25, 2003). "Pool Effort Makes a Big Splash". The Florida Times Union.
    5. Browne, Don (October 6, 2014). "Muse Community Recognized For Fire Prevention Efforts". Southwest Florida Online - Sunday Morning News.
    6. "Florida Memory: History of Glades County". Florida Memory. 1939.
    7. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
    8. "Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Guidance on the Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). Executive Office of the President. July 21, 2023. p. 91. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
    9. "Climatological Information for Glades County, Florida", USA.com, 2003. Web: .
    10. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
    11. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
    12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
    13. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
    14. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
    15. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Glades County, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
    16. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Glades County, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
    17. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Glades County, Florida". United States Census Bureau .
    18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
    19. Source: https://web.archive.org/web/20110607002848/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/12/12043.html
    20. 1 2 3 4 "Glades County School District". Glades County School District. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
    21. "Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School". Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School.
    22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
    23. "Our Campaigns" . Retrieved June 22, 2025.
    24. "Voter Registration - By County and Party". www.dos.myflorida.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
    25. "Coal Plant Near Everglades Denied :: Sierra Club". Archived from the original on October 10, 2008. Retrieved September 11, 2008.
    26. "Jim J. Greer - Muse, Florida, USA - Specific Veteran Memorials".

    Government links/Constitutional offices

    Special districts

    Judicial branch

    26°57′N81°11′W / 26.95°N 81.19°W / 26.95; -81.19