Homeland, Florida

{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox settlement |name = Homeland, Florida |official_name = |settlement_type = Census-designated place |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |pushpin_map = USA Florida#USA |pushpin_label = Homeland |pushpin_label_position = top  |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = Florida |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Polk  |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = |leader_name = |established_title = |established_date =  |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_12.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 31, 2021}}</ref> |area_total_km2 = 1.10 |area_land_km2 = 1.10 |area_water_km2 = 0.00 |area_total_sq_mi = 0.42 |area_land_sq_mi = 0.42 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.00  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_total = 305 |population_footnotes = |population_density_km2 = 277.37 |population_density_sq_mi = 717.65  |timezone = Eastern (EST) |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = EDT |utc_offset_DST = -4 |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/> |elevation_ft = 144 |coordinates = {{coord|27|49|05|N|81|49|37|W|display=inline,title}}  |postal_code_type = ZIP codes |postal_code = 33847 |area_code = 863 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = 12-32250 |blank1_name = GNIS feature ID |blank1_info = 2583354<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2583354}}</ref> |website = |footnotes = }} '''Homeland''' is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Polk County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, Homeland had a population of 305.<ref name="Census2020PLLede">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N&for=place%3A32250&in=state%3A12|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=March 11, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> It has a post office and a historical park. It is part of the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Lakeland–Bartow. ==History== Peace Creek (now Bartow, Florida) and Fort Meade were the two largest cities in Polk County. Homeland was a stop midway between them, and gradually began to attract settlers. The original settlement was called Bethel, but the name was changed to Homeland.<ref name="Homeland Visitor's Guide">{{cite web | url = http://www.polk-county.net/WorkArea/linkit.aspx?LinkIdentifier=id&ItemID=950 | title = Homeland Visitors Guide | accessdate = 2010-09-28 | publisher = Polk County Official Site }}</ref> A school and several churches were built in the area. The school was closed down in 1956 as Homeland became eclipsed by its neighbor to the north, Bartow. The school building is now part of Homeland Heritage Park, an educational park for elementary Polk County school children.<ref name="Homeland Visitor's Guide"/>

Homeland has one church: The First Baptist Church of Homeland. The pastor, Thomas Henry, has been the pastor since October 30, 2022.

==Geography== Homeland is located approximately six miles south of the center of Bartow.<ref name="Directions from Bartow to Homeland">{{cite web | url = http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m&lat=27.859815&lon=-81.831685&zoom=13&q1=bartow%2C%20florida&q2=homeland%2C%20florida | title = Directions from Bartow to Homeland | accessdate = 2010-09-28 | publisher = Yahoo! Maps }}</ref>

==Demographics== {{US Census population |align = left |2020= 305 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2016}}</ref> }}{{clear left}}

==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

Category:Unincorporated communities in Polk County, Florida Category:Bartow, Florida Category:Unincorporated communities in Florida Category:Census-designated places in Florida