Hendry County

Hendry County is the agricultural heartland of Southwest Florida. With a population of approximately 40,000, it is one of the smaller counties in the region but plays an outsized role in Florida's farming economy. The county seat is LaBelle, a small-town gem nestled on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River.

LaBelle retains the character of old Florida — oak-lined streets, a historic downtown, and a pace of life that moves with the seasons rather than tourist cycles. The Swamp Cabbage Festival, held each February, celebrates the town's heritage with a parade, rodeo events, and traditional Florida foods. The Caloosahatchee River provides opportunities for boating, fishing, and kayaking, and the town's riverfront park is a community gathering spot.

Clewiston, in the eastern part of the county, sits on the southern shore of Lake Okeechobee and calls itself "America's Sweetest Town" — a nod to the US Sugar Corporation, which has been headquartered there since the 1930s. Sugar cane fields stretch across the Everglades Agricultural Area surrounding Clewiston, and the sugar industry remains the backbone of the local economy. Clewiston also serves as a gateway to Lake Okeechobee, where bass fishing attracts anglers from around the world.

Agriculture defines Hendry County's economy and landscape. Citrus groves, sugar cane, cattle ranches, and vegetable farms create a patchwork of working lands. The county produces a significant portion of Florida's orange crop and is one of the state's leading agricultural counties by production value.

In recent years, Hendry County has seen growing interest in agritourism — farm tours, u-pick operations, and rural experiences that attract visitors from the more urbanized coast. The county's affordability, open spaces, and authentic Florida character make it an appealing destination for those seeking a quieter way of life.