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CITY · 2020 ACS

Highlands

California · 2,359 residents · 1.3 sq mi
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The short version

Highlands is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $217,500. Population has declined 11% since 1990. 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than tripled since 1990, reaching $1,846,600. With a median age of 46.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 176% more than the California median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 46.0
US median: 38.8
More educated
65% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 117%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,359
−11%since 1990
from 2,652 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,815 / sq mi
−11%since 1990
from 2,040 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 280
Median age
46.0
+21%since 1990
from 38.1 in 1990
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
2K2K3K3K3K19902024Highlands
20242K
19902024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$217,500
+56%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $70,603 in 1990
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$97,582
+285%since 1990
from $25,346 in 1990
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
79.6%
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
2.6%
+2.2 ptssince 1990
from 0.4% in 1990
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services13.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration11.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance9.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Retail trade9.3%
US avg: 10%
Professional, scientific, technical6.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food5.7%
US avg: 2%
Information3.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade3.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Education & health services3.1%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,846,600
+117%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $429,000 in 1990
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,459
+30%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $956 in 1990
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
83.6%
−1.6 ptssince 1990
from 85.2% in 1990
16.4% rent
Afford Score
8.5
+40%since 1990
from 6.1 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Highlands on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic80.5%(2,135)
Black4%(107)
Hispanic / Latino9.2%(244)
Asian12.2%(324)
Other3.2%(86)
Diversity Score54.3%(1,441)
2020
White, non-Hispanic52.5%(1,239)
Black0.8%(20)
Hispanic / Latino6.3%(149)
Asian30.5%(720)
Other8.5%(200)
Diversity Score76.2%(1,797)
Diversity Score
76
+40%since 1990
from 54 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
64.7%
+12.5 ptssince 1990
from 52.2% in 1990
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.7%
+2.7 ptssince 1990
from 95.0% in 1990
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
38.6%
+16.6 ptssince 1990
from 22.0% in 1990
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
30.8 min
+47%since 1990
from 20.9 min in 1990
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
64.8%
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
1.6%
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.2%
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
60.4%
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
66.6%
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.1%
Female
47.9%
Foreign born
14.2%
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
0.7%
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Highlands

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Pop 1,026
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Pop 2,617
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Golden Beach
Pop 1,029
Places similar to Highlands
Head to head

Compare Highlands to nearby cities

HIGHLANDS VS
Hillsborough
Income$250,001+15%
Home value$2,000,001+8%
Population11,206+357%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HIGHLANDS VS
Belmont
Income$205,297−6%
Home value$2,000,001+8%
Population28,752+1074%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HIGHLANDS VS
San Mateo
Income$153,504−29%
Home value$1,618,700−12%
Population103,337+4118%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HIGHLANDS VS
San Carlos
Income$237,470+9%
Home value$2,000,001+8%
Population29,261+1094%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Highlands, California?

Highlands, California has about 2,359 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Highlands, California?

The typical household in Highlands, California earns about $217,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Highlands, California expensive?

In Highlands, California, the median home is worth about $1,846,600, and the typical rent is about $2,459 a month.

How educated are people in Highlands, California?

About 64.7% of adults age 25 and over in Highlands, California hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Highlands, California?

About 2.6% of people in Highlands, California live below the federal poverty line.

Has Highlands, California grown since 1990?

Yes, Highlands, California has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 293 residents, a change of about -11 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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