City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Highland, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Highland - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

56,690
Residents
$77,979
Median income
$455,200
Median home
$3,236
Median rent (state)

Highland - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Highland places in the 59th percentile for household income and the 35th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

59th
percentile, household income
82nd
percentile, home value
98th
percentile, median rent
35th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Highland, CA

Highland is a small city in California, home to 56,690 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Highland households earn a median of $77,979 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.7%. Highland's housing stock carries a median value of $455,200, and the median resident age is 33.3 years. 22.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 57.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 155 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 150% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 1857.4 crimes per 100,000 residents, near the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts California at 110.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Above Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $3,236 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 99.8 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

56,690 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$77,979 /yr

Poverty 12.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Highland compare to other US cities?

Highland measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 59% higher than other cities
Home value 82% pricier than other cities
Median rent 98% pricier than other cities
Safety 35% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: Highland ranks #209 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Highland against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Highland toward the top of California's cities

Among the 1,458 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Highland ranks #138 - the 82nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Highland only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#811 of 1,338
39th percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#138 of 1,458
82nd percentile in California
Median Home Value
#769 of 1,343
43rd percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#374 of 1,450
74th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#807 of 1,458
45th percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

59thIncome percentile
35thSafety percentile

59th percentile nationally for median household income · 35th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Highland's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Highland's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 35 Avg. percentile National median
Highland's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Highland's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$455,200 18th percentile more affordable than 18% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Highland $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Highland, CA Highland, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Highland, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Highland, CA median $77,979/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Highland, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Highland, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 22.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
56,690
Median Income
$77,979
Median Home Value
$455,200
Median Age
33.3
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Labor force participation
57.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
22.8%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1857.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
534.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1322.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
15
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
56,000 residents56,500 residents57,000 residents57,500 residents58,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 56,954 residents 57,614 residents ▲ +1.2%
Highland's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
155
housing units authorized
Single-Family
155
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 62
2020 48
2021 31
2022 296
2023 51
2024 155

Permit volume increased 150% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.1%
Carpool
9.9%
Public Transit
0.9%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
7.2%
Other
1.1%

Based on 24,367 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Highland sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$3,236/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Fountain Valley
56,358 people
National City
55,960 people
Arcadia
55,550 people
South Whittier
55,201 people
Hacienda Heights
54,956 people
Gilroy
58,561 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Highland's 56,690 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Albany, OR
56,773 people
Kannapolis, NC
56,470 people
Fountainebleau, FL
56,453 people
Bartlett, TN
56,998 people
Bentonville, AR
56,326 people
Lacey, WA
57,088 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Highland's $77,979 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lake Crystal, MN
$77,979 median income
Travis Ranch, TX
$77,979 median income
Pawnee, IL
$77,977 median income
Wakefield, PA
$77,976 median income
Hood River, OR
$77,975 median income
Hampton, GA
$77,973 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Highland, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Highland, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 38.4% 6.4% 8.6% 31.7% 13.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 59.2% White 38.4% Black or African American 6.4% Asian 8.6% American Indian 1.4% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 31.7% Two or more races 13.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Highland compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Highland (this city) 56,690 $77,979
Fountain Valley 56,358 $111,797
National City 55,960 $64,248
Arcadia 55,550 $116,142
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Highland, CA?

What is the population of Highland, CA? +

Highland, CA counts 56,690 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Highland, CA? +

In Highland, the typical household earns $77,979 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Highland? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Highland; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Highland, CA safe? +

Highland has a total crime rate of 1857.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Highland, CA? +

A typical home in Highland is worth $455,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.