Okeechobee County
Okeechobee County, Florida
Okeechobee, FL 34972
Phone: (863) 763-6441
Fax: (863) 763-9529
www.co.okeechobee.fl.us
In east-central FL, west of Fort Pierce; organized May 8, 1917 from Osceola and Palm Beach counties. Name Origin: For Lake Okeechobee, which forms the county's southern boundary; from Hitchiti (Muskhogan) Indian oki 'water' and chobi 'big.'
Area (sq mi):: 891.57 (land 773.94; water 117.63) Population per square mile: 51.50
Population 2005: 39,836 State rank: 44 Population change: 2000-20005 10.90%; 1990-2000 21.20% Population 2000: 35,910 (White 71.60%; Black or African American 7.90%; Hispanic or Latino 18.60%; Asian 0.70%; Other 12.10%). Foreign born: 11.50%. Median age: 36.70
Income 2000: per capita $14,553; median household $30,456; Population below poverty level: 16.00% Personal per capita income (2000-2003): $17,003-$18,726
Unemployment (2004): 6.30% Unemployment change (from 2000): -0.70% Median travel time to work: 27.70 minutes Working outside county of residence: 24.50%
See other counties in Florida.