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CITY

Highlands

New Jersey · 4,350 residents (2025 est.) · 0.74 sq mi
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The short version

Highlands is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $91,913. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 52% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $455,000. With a median age of 46.8, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.8
US median: 38.9
More educated
52% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 96%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,518
−11%since 2000
from 5,097 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
6,105 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 6,888 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.8
+21%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,350 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K5K5K5K5K1990201020202024Highlands
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$91,913
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,692 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$69,009
+135%since 2000
from $29,369 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
59.7%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 12.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.500
+17%since 2010
from 0.428 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information16.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration7.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade6%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food4.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Retail trade0.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$455,000
+96%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $127,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,658
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $760 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
61.0%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 55.1% in 2000
39.0% rent
Vacancy rate
12.9%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
27.5%
−13.2 ptssince 2009
from 40.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
36.8%
−11.8 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.0
+78%since 2000
from 2.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Highlands on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.5%(4,716)
Black1%(52)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(207)
Asian1%(50)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.7%(747)
2024
White, non-Hispanic80.5%(3,636)
Black7.3%(330)
Hispanic / Latino7.8%(351)
Asian0.8%(37)
Other3.6%(164)
Diversity Score42.4%(1,918)
Diversity Score
42
+189%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
51.5%
+25.1 ptssince 2000
from 26.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.3%
+7.4 ptssince 2000
from 87.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
21.3%
+12.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
35.4 min
+23%since 2000
from 28.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
62.3%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 66.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.6%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 9.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
8.3%
−1.8 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
18.5%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
3.3%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.6%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.5% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.5%
−4.8 ptssince 2011
from 12.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
59.6%
−16.0 ptssince 2011
from 75.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
14.2%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 16.2% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
51.3%
−17.0 ptssince 2009
from 68.3% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Female
50.2%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Foreign born
11.7%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 6.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.6%
−42.0 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.3%
+7.7 ptssince 2012
from 10.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.4%
−77.8 ptssince 2013
from 84.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.5%
+14.1 ptssince 2017
from 74.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
87.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 88.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2016
from 7.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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HIGHLANDS VS
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HIGHLANDS VS
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HIGHLANDS VS
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Home value$492,400+8%
Population13,607+213%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Highlands, New Jersey?

Highlands, New Jersey has about 4,518 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Highlands, New Jersey?

The typical household in Highlands, New Jersey earns about $91,913 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Highlands, New Jersey expensive?

In Highlands, New Jersey, the median home is worth about $455,000, and the typical rent is about $1,658 a month.

How educated are people in Highlands, New Jersey?

About 51.5% of adults age 25 and over in Highlands, New Jersey hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Highlands, New Jersey?

About 10.1% of people in Highlands, New Jersey live below the federal poverty line.

Has Highlands, New Jersey grown since 1990?

Yes, Highlands, New Jersey has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 331 residents, a change of about -7 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →