Glades County
FL · Pop. 12,324 · Rural County
Glades County is a rural county in Florida, spanning 807 square miles with 12,324 residents at a density of 15.3 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on sugarcane, haylage, sweet corn. The median home price is $115,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.01%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.1°F and average winter lows of 52.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.8 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Hendry Regional Medical Center is 20.8 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 76.2% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 365-day growing season in USDA zone 10a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A median home price of $115,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 15.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Broadband reaches only 76.2% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- The nearest hospital, Hendry Regional Medical Center, is 20.8 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 21.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Glades County, FL is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 63/100
- Median home price
- $115k
- Property tax
- 1.01%
- Growing season
- 365 days (zone 10a)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.8"
- Broadband
- 76.2%
- Nearest hospital
- Hendry Regional Medical Center, 20.8 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Glades County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Glades County?
- Glades County is in USDA hardiness zone 10a with a 365-day growing season, average summer highs of 93.1°F, and average winter lows of 52.1°F. The established crops are sugarcane, haylage, sweet corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $115,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.01%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 76.2% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Hendry Regional Medical Center is 20.8 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore Florida Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Florida
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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