Hardee County, Florida

Hardee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 27,731. Its county seat is Wauchula. Hardee County is in what is known as the “Bone Valley,” which contains most of North America’s phosphate deposits and a large portion of the world’s deposits. Phosphate is primarily used to produce fertilizers for food production. In 2004, Hurricane Charley swept through the region, and a significant number of the structures in the county were damaged or lost altogether. In addition to cattle that were being driven across the state, the area’s rich soil helped launch one of the America’s most productive growing regions. Need proof? Look around and you’ll see more John Deere dealers here than there are Starbucks in Seattle.