CensusEasy
CITY

Highlands

North Carolina · 1,127 residents (2025 est.) · 6.249 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Highlands has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $71,509. Population has grown 18% since 2000. 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $700,900. With a median age of 62.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. 58% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, well above the US average, yet household income trails the national figure — a profile common to graduate-student tracts and academic hubs.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 62.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
58% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 73%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,074
+18%since 2000
from 909 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
172 / sq mi
+18%since 2000
from 145 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
62.7
+23%since 2000
from 50.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,127 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
8729821K1K1K1990201020202024Highlands
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,509
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,750 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$63,661
+164%since 2000
from $24,120 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
44.9%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 34.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
7.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.477
−23%since 2010
from 0.621 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade12%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services6.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing4.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing4.9%
US avg: 0.4%
Wholesale trade4%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance1.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$700,900
+73%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $221,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$650
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $529 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
67.2%
−7.4 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
32.8% rent
Vacancy rate
73.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2009
from 67.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.8%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 25.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
22.7%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 28.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
9.8
+49%since 2000
from 6.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
71
RELATED:See current rent listings in Highlands on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.4%(876)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3%(27)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.5%(68)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.8%(932)
Black5.2%(56)
Hispanic / Latino5.9%(63)
Asian1.5%(16)
Other0.7%(7)
Diversity Score30.1%(323)
Diversity Score
30
+300%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
57.8%
+19.0 ptssince 2000
from 38.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.9%
+12.2 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
20.9%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.6 min
+37%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
43.6%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 73.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.2%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
23.7%
+21.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
25.5%
+11.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
+0.2 ptssince 2011
from 4.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
45.5%
−1.4 ptssince 2011
from 47.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
1.8%
−8.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
38.3%
−30.7 ptssince 2009
from 69.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.4%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
49.6%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
6.8%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.5%
−38.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.5%
−1.9 ptssince 2012
from 13.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
12.4%
−75.7 ptssince 2013
from 88.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.8%
+18.8 ptssince 2017
from 73.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.9%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 90.3% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
6.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 6.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Highlands

Greenwood
Pop 1,153
Plantation Mobile Home Park
Pop 1,032
Center Hill
Pop 1,081
North DeLand
Pop 1,102
Places similar to Highlands
Head to head

Compare Highlands to nearby cities

HIGHLANDS VS
Seneca
Income$52,022−27%
Home value$240,000−66%
Population9,424+736%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HIGHLANDS VS
Brevard
Income$54,103−24%
Home value$450,000−36%
Population8,098+619%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HIGHLANDS VS
Waynesville
Income$54,923−23%
Home value$281,700−60%
Population11,006+877%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HIGHLANDS VS
Toccoa
Income$48,438−32%
Home value$178,100−75%
Population9,539+746%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Highlands, North Carolina?

Highlands, North Carolina has about 1,074 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Highlands, North Carolina?

The typical household in Highlands, North Carolina earns about $71,509 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Highlands, North Carolina expensive?

In Highlands, North Carolina, the median home is worth about $700,900, and the typical rent is about $650 a month.

How educated are people in Highlands, North Carolina?

About 57.8% of adults age 25 and over in Highlands, North Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Highlands, North Carolina?

About 7.9% of people in Highlands, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Highlands, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Highlands, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 126 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
North Carolina
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Highlands with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Highlands, North Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy