Hillcrest Heights is a town in Polk County, Florida, United States. Hillcrest Heights is part of the Lakeland–Winter Haven Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 243 at the 2020 census.
History
In 1917, the Lakeside Club was built on the south shore of Crooked Lake.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all land.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild winters. According to the Köppen climate classification, the Town of Hillcrest Heights has a humid subtropical climate zone (Cfa).
Government
Hillcrest Heights has a town council made up of five members including a mayor and vice mayor. The town does not have a city manager and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the town. Police services are contracted through the Polk County Sheriffs Office Department. In the most recent 2009 elections, only the incumbent commissioners qualified and were elected by default.
Annexations
Although the town is only , the residents and government of Hillcrest Heights have been aggressive in keeping the status quo in the town. Because of encroaching annexations by the City of Frostproof, the town is exploring the possibility of annexing Crooked Lake and nearby shores which would increase the size of the town to . Although the annexation would not increase the population of Hillcrest Heights, it would help stop development of nearby areas. Many residents of adjacent census-designated place (CDP) of Babson Park, with a population of over 1,000 are also fearful of the Frostproof annexations, and the Babson Park Visioning Group is considering either incorporating the CDP or asking for annexation by Hillcrest Heights.
2010 and 2020 census
{| class="wikitable"
|+Hillcrest Heights racial composition<br> (Hispanics excluded from racial categories)<br> (NH = Non-Hispanic)<br>
!Race
!Pop 2010
!Pop 2020
!% 2010
!% 2020
|-
|White (NH)
|231
|199
|90.94%
|81.89%
|-
|Black or African American (NH)
|7
|5
|2.76%
|2.06%
|-
|Native American or Alaska Native (NH)
|1
|0
|0.39%
|0.00%
|-
|Asian (NH)
|0
|0
|0.00%
|0.00%
|-
|Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian (NH)
|0
|0
|0.00%
|0.00%
|-
|Some other race (NH)
|0
|1
|0.00%
|0.41%
|-
|Two or more races/Multiracial (NH)
|0
|6
|0.00%
|2.47%
|-
|Hispanic or Latino (any race)
|15
|32
|5.91%
|13.17%
|-
|Total
|254
|243
|100.00%
|100.00%
|-
|}
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 243 people, 102 households, and 81 families residing in the town.
As of the 2010 United States census, there were 254 people, 103 households, and 93 families residing in the town.
2000 census
As of the census
Transportation
- State Road 17 – The Scenic Highway going through the center of town, leading northward to Highland Park and Lake Wales, and southward to Frostproof.
- US 27 – A divided highway six miles (10 km) west of town.
Education
There are no public schools in Hillcrest Heights, though all of them are served by Polk County Public Schools. Generally students will attend elementary school at nearby Babson Park Elementary, and then go on to Frostproof Middle-Senior High School or take advantage of the Lake Wales charter school system.
Warner University is a few miles west of town.
References
External links
- Town of Hillcrest Heights (official website)