Okeechobee County, Florida

Okeechobee County is an inland county centered around massive Lake Okeechobee, Florida’s “liquid heart.” Okeechobee serves as the county seat and is a small community known for its strong fishing culture.

There are no beaches here, but airboat rides and outdoor recreation are popular attractions. Cattle ranches stretch across much of the northern part of the county, while the annual Speckled Perch Festival celebrates the area’s fishing heritage. The region has a strong rural character, with ranching and fishing playing important roles in local life.

The lake’s levee provides miles of trails for hiking and biking, offering scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Okeechobee County moves at a slower pace than Florida’s coastal destinations, with fishing, ranching, and outdoor recreation shaping everyday life. At night, the wide-open surroundings also provide excellent opportunities for stargazing.

CategoryDetails
County NameOkeechobee County
County SeatOkeechobee
PopulationApproximately 42,000
Cities, Towns, and CommunitiesOkeechobee, Buckhead Ridge, Glades County (partial)
Interstates and HighwaysU.S. 441, State Road 70
FIPS Code12-093
Total Area (Land and Water)769 square miles (land: 685 sq mi, water: 84 sq mi)
Adjacent Counties (and Direction)Indian River County (Northeast), Martin County (East), St. Lucie County (East), Glades County (Southwest), Hendry County (Southwest), Highlands County (West), Palm Beach County (Southeast), Polk County (Northwest), Osceola County (Northwest)
Time ZoneEastern Time Zone (ET)
StateFlorida
Coordinates27.2379° N, 80.8286° W
EtymologyNamed after Lake Okeechobee, with “Okeechobee” derived from a Native American term meaning “big water”
Major LandmarksLake Okeechobee, Kissimmee River, Okeechobee Battlefield Park
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