City · Illinois
Highland, Illinois
Highland, city, in Madison County, Illinois. Highland had 10,042 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 0.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 9,991 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 10,262 (±318). GEOID 1734670.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,042
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 9,991 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,262 ±318
Median household income
$82,551
±$12,519 (90% margin)
Illinois: $83,390
Median home value
$202,900
±$14,238 (90% margin)
Illinois: $263,300
Median gross rent
$855
±$110 (90% margin)
Illinois: $1,274
Where is Highland and what county is it in?
Highland is a city in Madison County, Illinois. It covers 7.2 square miles of land, 1,396 residents per square mile in 2020.
Highland is in the St. Louis, MO-IL metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 15 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Highland lies mostly within Helvetia Township and reaches into Saline Township, towns or townships with their own local government (2020 census blocks).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Highland, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 10,042 people lived in Highland on July 1, 2025, about level with 2020, faster than Illinois (−0.8%). The 2020 Census counted 9,991 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 10,262 (±318).
| Measure | Highland | Madison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,262 ±318 | 264,238 | no clear change |
| Households | 4,931 ±289 | 110,134 | +742 |
| Average household size | 2.05 ±0.11 | 2.35 | −0.30 |
| Housing units | 5,137 ±300 | 119,168 | +753 |
Highland's population since 2000
From 8,438 in 2000 to 10,042 in 2025: up 19.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Highland as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
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 Highland?
The median resident of Highland is 41.8 years old; 19.2% are under 18 and 19.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 4.3%. 3.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Highland | Madison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.8 ±3.1 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 19.2% ±2.9 pts | 21.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.8% ±2.3 pts | 18.5% | – |
| Male | 50.3% ±2.3 pts | 48.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% ±2.2 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.1% ±3.3 pts | 81.8% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 7.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 0.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.3% ±2.5 pts | 5.0% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.3% ±1.5 pts | 2.2% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.6% ±1.4 pts | 3.6% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.8% ±2.0 pts | 8.2% | – |
| With a disability | 17.4% ±3.4 pts | 15.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.7% ±0.9 pts | 4.7% | −2.0 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 97.6% ±1.4 pts | 93.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 35.8% ±5.3 pts | 31.0% | +7.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 12.1% ±3.6 pts | 11.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.8% ±3.9 pts | 88.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0% ±0.8 pts | 2.1% | – |
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 Highland earn?
Half of Highland's 4,931 households earn less than $82,551 a year (±$12,519), against $75,793 in Madison County and $83,390 in Illinois. In 2015-2019 it was $73,746 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Highland | Madison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $82,551 ±$12,519 | $75,793 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $94,798 ±$7,552 | $98,419 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,008 ±$2,850 | $41,560 | +$8,499 |
| People below the poverty line | 6.0% ±2.7 pts | 11.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.4% ±6.6 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.3% ±5.0 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Households with a computer | 95.7% ±2.2 pts | 94.9% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 95.4% ±2.3 pts | 91.0% | – |
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 Highland?
Owners occupy 72.7% of Highland's occupied homes and renters 27.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $202,900 by its owner (±$14,238). The median renter pays $855 a month including utilities, and 38.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Highland | Madison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $202,900 ±$14,238 | $173,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $855 ±$110 | $1,024 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.1% ±11.6 pts | 37.8% | +15.5 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,519 ±$101 | $1,511 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.7% ±5.5 pts | 74.2% | +7.4 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 27.3% ±5.5 pts | 25.8% | – |
| Housing units | 5,137 ±300 | 119,168 | +753 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±1.0 pts | 1.0% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.8% ±4.1 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.6% ±4.9 pts | 78.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5% ±1.1 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 8.9% ±3.2 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 10.8% ±3.2 pts | 14.6% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.4% ±2.8 pts | 5.7% | – |
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 many new homes is Highland building?
Builders took permits for 18 new housing units in Highland in 2025 (16 in single-family houses), 1.8 per 1,000 residents against 1.5 across Illinois.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Highland work and get to work?
82.6% of Highland's workers drive alone and 10.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.3 minutes.
| Measure | Highland | Madison County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.1% ±3.5 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.0% ±0.9 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 82.6% ±5.9 pts | 78.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.4% ±3.2 pts | 6.6% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 0.8% ±0.7 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.2% ±3.9 pts | 12.7% | +5.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.3 min ±1.9 | 24.9 min | +3.1 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 Highland?
3 census tracts lie mostly in Highland, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $79,180 (Tract 4036.04) to $97,463 (Tract 4036.01).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 4036.04Madison County | 6,261 | $79,180 |
| Tract 4036.01Madison County | 3,862 | $97,463 |
| Tract 4036.03Madison County | 1,933 | $96,172 |
| Tract 4037.02Madison County | 6,001 | $138,798 |
| Tract 4037.01Madison County | 6,670 | $135,774 |
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 Highland) · Census block assignment files
How does Highland compare with other places in Illinois?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Highland is the 3,213th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 225th-most populous of 1,294 in Illinois.
Highland ranks 596th of 1,380 places in Illinois with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 225th | 1,294 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 269th | 1,347 |
| Residents per square mile | 476th | 1,383 |
| Median household income | 596th | 1,380 |
| Per capita income | 365th | 1,383 |
| Median home value | 569th | 1,379 |
| Median gross rent | 829th | 1,280 |
| Poverty rate | 890th | 1,119 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 337th | 1,369 |
| Median age | 603rd | 1,383 |
| Owner-occupied share | 923rd | 1,382 |
| Work from home | 578th | 1,015 |
| Travel time to work | 531st | 1,382 |
Highland's figures with every place in Illinois (CSV)
Every place in Illinois, sortable · Compare Highland 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 Highland?
14 of the 57 figures for Highland 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 Highland 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' public schools in Highland.