Indian River County is located along the Atlantic coast in east central Florida. Named for Indian River Lagoon, Indian River County was officially created on May 30, 1925 and now contains 503 square miles of land area and 114 square miles of water surface. The county seat is Vero Beach.

The Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge overlaps the northern end of Indian River County while Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness occupies a central place on Indian River Lagoon, just south of Sebastian Inlet State Park.

The Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway finds its southern terminus in Indian River County.