Highlands County, Florida
Highlands County is located in south-central Florida along the Lake Wales Ridge, one of the oldest and most geologically significant landforms in the state. With a population of approximately 105,000, the county is centered on the city of Sebring and includes the communities of Avon Park and Lake Placid. The county covers 1,028 square miles of rolling terrain dotted with hundreds of freshwater lakes, citrus groves, and scrub habitat, and has long been known as a center of the Florida citrus industry, a retirement destination, and the home of Sebring International Raceway.
Geography and Natural Features
Highlands County sits atop the Lake Wales Ridge, an ancient sand ridge that was once an island chain during periods of higher sea levels. This geological history has produced unique scrub habitats that support numerous endemic plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. The Archbold Biological Station, an internationally renowned research facility in the southern part of the county, studies the ecology of the Florida scrub and has documented dozens of species unique to the ridge.
The county contains over 100 named lakes, including Lake Istokpoga, one of the largest natural lakes in Florida, which supports a nationally recognized largemouth bass fishery. Lake June-in-Winter, Lake Jackson, and Lake Placid are among the other prominent lakes. The landscape transitions from the ridge's well-drained sandy soils, which support citrus and scrub, to lower-lying flatwoods and wetlands. Highlands Hammock State Park, one of the original Florida state parks established in the 1930s with help from the Civilian Conservation Corps, protects ancient hardwood hammock, cypress swamp, and a boardwalk trail through one of the most impressive old-growth cypress stands in the state. The climate is subtropical with warm winters and hot, humid summers.
County Seat and Government
Sebring, with a population of approximately 11,000, serves as the county seat. The city was founded in 1912 and planned around a central circular park, which gives the downtown a distinctive layout. Highlands County operates under a commission form of government with a five-member Board of County Commissioners elected from single-member districts.
Key Communities
Avon Park, the oldest city in Highlands County and one of the oldest in south-central Florida, has a population of roughly 10,500. The city is home to South Florida State College and the Avon Park Air Force Range, a large military training area used for air-to-ground weapons training by units from across the southeastern United States. Lake Placid, known as the "Caladium Capital of the World" for its production of the ornamental plant, is a small community famous for its extensive collection of murals painted on downtown buildings depicting local history and culture.
Economy and Major Employers
Citrus production has historically been the backbone of Highlands County's economy, and despite the devastating impact of citrus greening disease, the county remains one of Florida's top citrus-producing counties. Orange and grapefruit groves, along with juice processing facilities, provide employment and economic output. Cattle ranching is also significant, with large ranches occupying the flatlands between the ridge and the county's western areas.
AdventHealth Sebring and AdventHealth Lake Placid provide healthcare services and are among the county's largest employers. The Highlands County School District, county government, and South Florida State College are major public-sector employers. The Avon Park Air Force Range provides military and civilian employment. Tourism contributes through lake-based recreation, the Sebring International Raceway (which hosts the 12 Hours of Sebring endurance race, one of the most prestigious sports car races in the world), and seasonal visitors. Retirement-related services and spending are significant economic contributors as the county's population skews older than the state average.
Education and Transportation
South Florida State College, headquartered in Avon Park, offers associate and baccalaureate degree programs and workforce training. The Highlands County School District serves approximately 13,000 students. U.S. Route 27 is the primary north-south corridor through the county, connecting it to the Orlando and Miami metropolitan areas. U.S. Route 98 provides east-west access. Sebring Regional Airport offers general aviation services.