Census-designated place · California
North Highlands, California
North Highlands, census-designated place, in Sacramento County, California. North Highlands had 47,957 people in the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates (±2,791). GEOID 0651924.
Residents, 2020-2024
47,957
±2,791 (90% margin)
2020 Census count: 49,327
Median household income
$65,495
±$4,671 (90% margin)
California: $99,122
Median home value
$367,600
±$8,885 (90% margin)
California: $734,700
Median gross rent
$1,636
±$59 (90% margin)
California: $2,036
Where is North Highlands and what county is it in?
North Highlands is a census-designated place: an unincorporated community the Census Bureau draws for counting, with no city government of its own, in Sacramento County, California. It covers 8.8 square miles of land, 5,600 residents per square mile in 2020.
North Highlands is in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 4 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in North Highlands, and is it growing?
The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts North Highlands's population at 47,957 (±2,791). The 2020 Census counted 49,327 residents.
The Census Bureau publishes yearly population estimates for incorporated places only; North Highlands is a census-designated place, so its figures come from the ACS and the 2020 Census.
| Measure | North Highlands | Sacramento County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 47,957 ±2,791 | 1,594,006 | no clear change |
| Households | 15,901 ±780 | 571,057 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.99 ±0.14 | 2.75 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 16,876 ±718 | 598,385 | +878 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in North Highlands?
The median resident of North Highlands is 34.2 years old; 26.2% are under 18 and 12.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 42.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 32.7%. 28.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | North Highlands | Sacramento County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.2 ±1.4 | 37.5 | +2.6 |
| Under 18 years | 26.2% ±2.0 pts | 22.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.1% ±1.3 pts | 15.3% | – |
| Male | 50.5% ±1.8 pts | 49.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 32.7% ±3.4 pts | 24.2% | +6.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 42.6% ±3.9 pts | 40.6% | −5.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 7.9% ±1.7 pts | 9.0% | −4.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 8.5% ±2.0 pts | 17.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.6 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 7.0% ±1.9 pts | 6.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.2 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 28.7% ±2.5 pts | 22.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 44.0% ±3.6 pts | 33.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.6% ±1.1 pts | 5.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.7% ±1.6 pts | 13.1% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.6% ±1.4 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.8% ±2.6 pts | 88.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.3% ±2.1 pts | 34.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.8% ±1.0 pts | 12.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 90.0% ±2.2 pts | 88.4% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in North Highlands earn?
Half of North Highlands's 15,901 households earn less than $65,495 a year (±$4,671), against $92,175 in Sacramento County and $99,122 in California. In 2015-2019 the median was $55,982 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,513 after inflation. 19.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | North Highlands | Sacramento County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,495 ±$4,671 | $92,175 | +$9,513 |
| Mean household income | $80,610 ±$4,572 | $118,175 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,670 ±$1,668 | $43,324 | +$2,824 |
| People below the poverty line | 19.6% ±3.9 pts | 12.5% | −5.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 26.9% ±7.1 pts | 16.0% | −10.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 26.2% ±3.4 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 96.1% ±1.4 pts | 97.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.0% ±2.2 pts | 94.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in North Highlands?
Owners occupy 51.1% of North Highlands's occupied homes and renters 48.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $367,600 by its owner (±$8,885). The median renter pays $1,636 a month including utilities, and 51.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | North Highlands | Sacramento County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $367,600 ±$8,885 | $534,200 | +$99,924 |
| Median gross rent | $1,636 ±$59 | $1,790 | +$258 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 51.2% ±6.2 pts | 46.3% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,903 ±$66 | $2,428 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 51.1% ±3.9 pts | 59.0% | +6.0 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 48.9% ±3.9 pts | 41.0% | – |
| Housing units | 16,876 ±718 | 598,385 | +878 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2% ±1.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.6% ±2.2 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.1% ±2.9 pts | 65.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.7% ±1.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 1.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 3.8% ±1.8 pts | 5.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.6% ±0.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 8.9% ±2.5 pts | 6.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How do people in North Highlands work and get to work?
70.2% of North Highlands's workers drive alone and 12.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | North Highlands | Sacramento County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.6% ±2.1 pts | 63.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3% ±1.3 pts | 6.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 70.2% ±3.9 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.5% ±3.1 pts | 9.4% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6% ±0.6 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Worked from home | 12.5% ±2.5 pts | 19.1% | +7.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 30.7 min ±2.4 | 27.3 min | +2.9 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in North Highlands?
8 census tracts lie mostly in North Highlands, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $46,150 (Tract 74.35) to $90,076 (Tract 74.03).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 74.02Sacramento County | 7,617 | $83,908 |
| Tract 74.34Sacramento County | 6,455 | $67,841 |
| Tract 75.03Sacramento County | 5,059 | $59,792 |
| Tract 74.13Sacramento County | 6,363 | $63,174 |
| Tract 74.03Sacramento County | 4,959 | $90,076 |
| Tract 74.24Sacramento County | 3,974 | $62,024 |
| Tract 75.01Sacramento County | 7,444 | $55,778 |
| Tract 74.35Sacramento County | 3,116 | $46,150 |
| Tract 73.01Sacramento County | 5,450 | $54,122 |
| Tract 75.04Sacramento County | 1,985 | $86,364 |
| Tract 74.14Sacramento County | 4,335 | $75,341 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in North Highlands) · Census block assignment files
How does North Highlands compare with other places in California?
North Highlands ranks 839th of 1,037 places in California with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population (ACS 2020-2024) | 196th | 1,076 |
| Residents per square mile | 207th | 1,077 |
| Median household income | 839th | 1,037 |
| Per capita income | 841st | 1,073 |
| Median home value | 819th | 1,054 |
| Median gross rent | 625th | 987 |
| Poverty rate | 144th | 836 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 799th | 988 |
| Median age | 831st | 1,075 |
| Owner-occupied share | 884th | 1,064 |
| Work from home | 528th | 822 |
| Travel time to work | 347th | 1,069 |
North Highlands's figures with every place in California (CSV)
Every place in California, sortable · Compare North Highlands with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for North Highlands?
8 of the 57 figures for North Highlands on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for North Highlands are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.