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CITY · 2010 ACS

Highlands

North Carolina · 924 residents · 6.249 sq mi
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The short version

Highlands has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $40,625. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 28%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $420,700. With a median age of 56.6, the population is older than the US median of 37.2. Despite a median home value of $420,700, the poverty rate sits 26% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Older
median age 56.6
US median: 37.2
More educated
46% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Less affordable
home values up 50%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
924
+2%since 2000
from 909 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
148 / sq mi
+2%since 2000
from 145 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
56.6
+11%since 2000
from 50.9 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
8729821K1K1K1990201020202024Highlands
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$40,625
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,750 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$46,383
+92%since 2000
from $24,120 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
31.8%
−2.9 ptssince 2009
from 34.7% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
17.5%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.621
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Information26.6%
US avg: 11.5%
Other services8.2%
US avg: 7%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 7.2%
Retail trade3%
US avg: 10.9%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services2.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2.4%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 3.1%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$420,700
+50%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $221,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,013
+51%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $529 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
40.8%
−33.8 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
23.9% rent
Vacancy rate
70.5%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 67.2% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
32.2%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 25.8% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
46.2%
+18.2 ptssince 2009
from 28.0% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
10.4
+58%since 2000
from 6.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic91.7%(847)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino5.7%(53)
Asian0.6%(6)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score15.3%(142)
Diversity Score
15
+104%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
45.8%
+6.9 ptssince 2000
from 38.8% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
92.1%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
14.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
10.8 min
+2%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
74.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 73.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
8.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.0% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
4.9%
+2.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
11.8%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
7.2%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
10.9%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
33.8%
−35.2 ptssince 2009
from 69.0% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
52.4%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
4.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
13.0%
−33.1 ptssince 2009
from 46.1% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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
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Compare Highlands to nearby cities

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Income$52,022+28%
Home value$240,000−43%
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HIGHLANDS VS
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Home value$450,000+7%
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HIGHLANDS VS
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Income$54,923+35%
Home value$281,700−33%
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Income$48,438+19%
Home value$178,100−58%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Highlands, North Carolina?

Highlands, North Carolina has about 924 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Highlands, North Carolina earns about $40,625 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 $420,700, and the typical rent is about $1,013 a month.

How educated are people in Highlands, North Carolina?

About 45.8% 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 17.5% of people in Highlands, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Highlands, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Highlands, North Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 24 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

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