Hendry County FL Health Insurance Agency

Hendry County is a rural county located in the Florida Heartland region of the United States.

Area code: 863

Elevation: 13 ft (4 m)

Zip Codes: 33440, 33930, 33935, 33944, 33975

Population (2026): 47,085 (Projected)

GPS: Latitude: 26.5512 Longitude: -81.1553

An Overview of Hendry County, Florida

Hendry County is an expansive, agriculturally-rich county situated on the southern shores of Lake Okeechobee. Established in 1923 and named after Captain Francis A. Hendry, a prominent cattle rancher and early pioneer, the county serves as a cornerstone of Florida’s “Heartland.” It is defined by its vast sugarcane fields, citrus groves, and cattle ranches, and it serves as a vital link between the Gulf and Atlantic coasts via the Caloosahatchee River and the Okeechobee Waterway. The county features two primary incorporated hubs: LaBelle, the picturesque county seat known for its riverfront charm and “Old Florida” Victorian architecture, and Clewiston, famously dubbed “America’s Sweetest Town” due to its role as a global leader in sugar production. While much of the land remains wild and rural—encompassing significant portions of the Everglades and Big Cypress—it is a community defined by its hardworking agricultural heritage and deep-rooted connection to the land.

Key Statistics and Economic Overview

Hendry County’s demographics reflect a growing, culturally diverse community with a strong emphasis on agricultural labor and industrial resilience.

• Population & Demographics: With a projected population approaching 47,000, Hendry County is experiencing steady growth. The median age is approximately 35 years, notably younger than the state average, indicating a high concentration of young families. The community is majority Hispanic (approx. 60%), creating a vibrant multicultural environment unique to the Florida interior.
  
• Economic Profile: The local economy is dominated by the Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting sectors, with U.S. Sugar serving as the region’s largest employer. Other major industries include construction and retail trade. While the median household income is approximately $43,350—lower than coastal Florida averages—the county has seen a significant 15.6% increase in property values recently, indicating a shift toward long-term economic development and modernization.
  
• Housing and Lifestyle: Hendry County maintains a high homeownership rate of approximately 73.6%. The housing market is characterized by a mix of historic riverfront homes, rural ranch estates, and newer suburban developments in the Port LaBelle area. The lifestyle is focused on outdoor heritage, featuring traditions like the annual Swamp Cabbage Festival and a community-wide passion for fishing, hunting, and land conservation.

Top Places for Visitors to Explore in Hendry County

While Hendry County is prized for its agricultural privacy, its unique geography provides access to some of the most iconic natural and cultural sites in South Florida.

• Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail (LOST): This massive trail system circles the largest freshwater lake in Florida. Visitors can hike or bike atop the Herbert Hoover Dike for unparalleled views of the lake’s vast ecosystem and world-class bass fishing waters.
• Billie Swamp Safari: Located on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, this park offers airboat rides, swamp buggy tours, and a chance to see native Florida wildlife—including alligators and panthers—in their natural habitat.
• LaBelle Nature Park: Tucked along the Caloosahatchee River, this park offers a peaceful escape with oak-shaded trails and geocaching opportunities, showcasing the “River of Grass” environment in a manageable, family-friendly setting.
• Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum: This Smithsonian-affiliated museum provides an immersive look at the history and culture of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. It features over 180,000 artifacts and a scenic boardwalk through a cypress dome.
• Skydive Spaceland Florida: For those seeking a high-altitude experience, this premier skydiving center in Clewiston offers tandem jumps with views spanning from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico.
• LaBelle Heritage Museum: Located in the historic downtown district, this museum preserves the local history of the region’s pioneers, cattle kings, and the steamboat era that once dominated the Caloosahatchee.