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CITY · 2020 ACS

Highlands

North Carolina · 1,072 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 $55,938. Population has grown 18% since 2000. 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $590,100. With a median age of 61.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Despite a median home value of $590,100, the poverty rate sits 20% above the US average — a pattern often seen in resort and college towns.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 61.8
US median: 38.8
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 77%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,072
+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: 280
Median age
61.8
+21%since 2000
from 50.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8729821K1K1K1990201020202024Highlands
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$55,938
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,750 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,345
+71%since 2000
from $24,120 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
39.0%
+4.3 ptssince 2009
from 34.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
15.5%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information17.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing9.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Wholesale trade8.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Construction5.4%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing4.1%
US avg: 0.5%
Other services3.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration1.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Retail trade1.2%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance0.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 2%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$590,100
+77%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $221,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$965
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $529 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
75.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
24.1% rent
Afford Score
10.5
+61%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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic86.8%(931)
Black0.7%(7)
Hispanic / Latino7.2%(77)
Asian1.3%(14)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score21.9%(235)
Diversity Score
22
+192%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
51.6%
+12.8 ptssince 2000
from 38.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
96.3%
+11.5 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
22.4%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
8.0 min
−25%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
58.5%
−15.2 ptssince 2009
from 73.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.0%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.5%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 4.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.4%
+7.4 ptssince 2011
from 47.0% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
45.9%
−23.1 ptssince 2009
from 69.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
43.6%
−4.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
56.4%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
7.6%
+4.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
19.9%
−68.2 ptssince 2013
from 88.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Highlands

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Pop 1,102
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HIGHLANDS VS
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HIGHLANDS VS
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HIGHLANDS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Highlands, North Carolina?

Highlands, North Carolina has about 1,072 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Highlands, North Carolina earns about $55,938 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 $590,100, and the typical rent is about $965 a month.

How educated are people in Highlands, North Carolina?

About 51.6% 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 15.5% of people in Highlands, North Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Highlands, North Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Highlands, North Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 124 residents, a change of about 13 percent over that period.

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

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