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COUNTY · 2000 CENSUS

Highlands County

Florida · 87,366 residents · 1,017.66 sq mi
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The short version

Highlands County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $30,160. Population has grown 28% since 1990. 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 24%. Median home value is $62,000. With a median age of 50.0, the population is older than the US median of 35.2.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $42,589
Older
median age 50.0
US median: 35.2
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 24%
More affordable
home values down 20%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $120,530
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
87,366
+28%since 1990
from 68,432 in 1990
1990 – 2025
Population density
86 / sq mi
+28%since 1990
from 67 / sq mi in 1990
US average: 242
Median age
50.0
−3%since 1990
from 51.4 in 1990
US average: 35.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
65K76K87K98K109K1990201020202024Highlands County
2024106K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$30,160
+8%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $21,146 in 1990
US average: $42,589
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,222
+42%since 1990
from $12,112 in 1990
US average: $21,522
Poverty rate
15.2%
Unchangedsince 1990
from 15.2% in 1990
US average: 12.4%
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$62,000
−20%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $58,500 in 1990
US average: $120,530
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$479
−2%inflation adjusted, since 1990
from $371 in 1990
US average: $602
Owner-occupied
79.7%
+1.6 ptssince 1990
from 78.0% in 1990
20.3% rent
Afford Score
2.1
−26%since 1990
from 2.8 in 1990
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Highlands County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

1990
White, non-Hispanic87.4%(59,814)
Black9.8%(6,682)
Hispanic / Latino5%(3,416)
Asian0.5%(359)
Diversity Score36.9%(25,278)
2000
White, non-Hispanic76.5%(66,814)
Black9.1%(7,925)
Hispanic / Latino12.1%(10,542)
Asian1%(881)
Diversity Score46.9%(40,969)
Diversity Score
47
+27%since 1990
from 37 in 1990
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.6%
+2.7 ptssince 1990
from 10.9% in 1990
US average: 24.4%
High school or higher
74.5%
+6.3 ptssince 1990
from 68.2% in 1990
US average: 80.3%
Graduate degree
5.2%
+1.2 ptssince 1990
from 4.0% in 1990
US average: 8.8%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.0 min
−8%since 1990
from 16.4 min in 1990
US average: 17.6
Section 07

Work & employment

No data for the years selected.

Section 08

People & community

No data for the years selected.

Drill deeper

Places similar to Highlands County

Navajo County
Pop 109,946
Calhoun County
Pop 115,834
Etowah County
Pop 103,886
Vigo County
Pop 106,512
Places similar to Highlands County
Head to head

Compare Highlands County to nearby counties

HIGHLANDS COUNTY VS
Okeechobee County
Income$57,984+92%
Home value$193,000+211%
Population42,608−62%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HIGHLANDS COUNTY VS
Glades County
Income$45,870+52%
Home value$137,000+121%
Population13,270−88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HIGHLANDS COUNTY VS
DeSoto County
Income$54,417+80%
Home value$174,100+181%
Population37,078−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HIGHLANDS COUNTY VS
Hardee County
Income$60,489+101%
Home value$153,600+148%
Population25,932−77%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Highlands County, Florida?

Highlands County, Florida has about 87,366 residents according to the 2000 Census.

What is the median household income in Highlands County, Florida?

The typical household in Highlands County, Florida earns about $30,160 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Highlands County, Florida expensive?

In Highlands County, Florida, the median home is worth about $62,000, and the typical rent is about $479 a month.

How educated are people in Highlands County, Florida?

About 13.6% of adults age 25 and over in Highlands County, Florida hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Highlands County, Florida?

About 15.2% of people in Highlands County, Florida live below the federal poverty line.

Has Highlands County, Florida grown since 1990?

Yes, Highlands County, Florida has grown since 1990. The population has added about 18,934 residents, a change of about 28 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

35 census tracts (top 20 by population)
Census Tract 9613.01Census Tract 9606.02Census Tract 9605.03Census Tract 9615Census Tract 9616.05Census Tract 9610Census Tract 9602Census Tract 9603Census Tract 9607Census Tract 9604.01Census Tract 9611Census Tract 9604.02Census Tract 9601.04Census Tract 9614.01Census Tract 9613.04Census Tract 9608Census Tract 9617.01Census Tract 9606.01Census Tract 9612.02Census Tract 9605.04
8 ZIP codes
ZIP 33825ZIP 33870ZIP 33852ZIP 33872ZIP 33875ZIP 33876ZIP 33857ZIP 33960
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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