Wauchula is a city and the county seat of Hardee County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 4,900. Wauchula has been called the "cucumber capital of the world", although citrus has become a more important agricultural crop over the past few decades. It is home to the downtown's Wauchula Historic District and Albert Carlton Estate.

Official town website ↗

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

How Wauchula ranks

All →

#44Cheapest rent in FL #56Lowest property tax in FL #73Most affordable in FL All FL rankings →

Town numbers

ZIP code33873

Area code863

Living in Wauchula

Housing in Wauchula

$238K▲ 1.3% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Wauchula home is worth about $238,000, up 1.3% in a year, 37% below the Florida typical home.

Only 2 sales in May 2026, too few for a market read. The typical value is the steadier guide.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Safety in Wauchula

—

Not graded

A grade needs all of the FBI's latest years (2023–2025). Wauchula's police department reported only 2023 and 2024, so we don't grade it yet. The figures below are still real.

Violent crime per 1,000

Wauchula 2.8

Florida 2.6

U.S. 3.6

Property crime per 1,000

Wauchula 8.7

Florida 12.6

U.S. 17.7

FBI crime data, 2024 · crimes reported to policeCrime & safety →

Work & commute in Wauchula

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Wauchula for work: only 18% work in town. The top destinations are Bartow (3%), Lakeland (2%) and Sebring (2%). Half commute less than 30 miles.

Bartow

Lakeland

Sebring

Ona

18%Work in townlive and work in Wauchula 30 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 2,923Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Wauchula →

Health in Wauchula

D⁻

Health Grade D−

Healthier than 4% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Florida

1better than FL·17worse

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 8 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▲ 6▼ 5 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 6▼ 1 close Mind 3▼ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

6.9%Fewer adults who have had cancerFL 9.1% · better 30.5%More older adults who have lost all their teethFL 12.7% · worse

Care nearby

Adventhealth WauchulaWauchula · 0.4 mi · ER · rural critical access

Cfhc Wauchula Primary CareWauchula · 0.6 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careShortage · county-wide

DentalShortage · county-wide

Mental healthShortage · county-wide

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CDC's estimate for Wauchula · CMS · HRSAHealth in Wauchula →

Natural hazards in Wauchula

Very high

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 94% of U.S. communities.

💨 Strong wind🌀 Hurricanes🌊 Inland flooding

11Does Wauchula flood?paid flood claims since 2004 9Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Wauchula

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Wauchula →

Climate in Wauchula

Full climate →

Wauchula has warm winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 92°, a January night drops to 49°, and snow is almost unheard of.

75° / 51°Winter

85° / 60°Spring

92° / 72°Summer

85° / 65°Fall

How much snow does Wauchula get?Almost none.Rain & snow →Does it ever freeze?In about 81% of years.Frost →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.3° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Wauchula →

Schools in Wauchula

All Wauchula schools →

C⁺

School Grade C+

The public schools Wauchula’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 60% of Florida’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they sit near the middle.

See how Wauchula’s schools compare in FL →

DistrictHARDEESchools5

Wauchula Elementary School B-Elementary · Grades PK–5 · 577 students Hardee Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided)Elementary · Grades K–5 Pioneer Career Academy DHigh · Grades 6–12 · 27 students Hardee Virtual Franchise C+Other · Grades K–12 · 52 students Hardee Virtual Instruction ProgramOther · Grades K–12

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within FL. Ratings are from neighbors.