City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

Highland, IN

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.

23,749
Residents
$76,219
Median income
$219,500
Median home
$1,317
Median rent (state)

Highland - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Highland lands in the 57th percentile for household income and the 40th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

57th
percentile, household income
48th
percentile, home value
47th
percentile, median rent
40th
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, IN

23,749 people live in Highland, Indiana - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Highland households earn a median of $76,219 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.9%. Home values in Highland run a median of $219,500, and the median resident age is 44.5 years. About 30.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 60.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 9 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 13% from five years earlier. Highland reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1693.7 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Indiana scores 93.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,317 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Indiana run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 24.0 minutes, with 83.7% driving alone and 6.9% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 95.9 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

23,749 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$76,219 /yr

Poverty 6.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does Highland compare to other US cities?

Where Highland sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 57% higher than other cities
Home value 48% pricier than other cities
Median rent 47% pricier than other cities
Safety 40% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Indiana, Highland ranks #76 of 109 Indiana cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Indiana-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Highland toward the top of Indiana's cities

Among the 771 Indiana cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Highland ranks #129 - the 83rd 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
#203 of 766
73rd percentile in Indiana
Median Gross Rent
#118 of 850
81st percentile in Indiana
Median Home Value
#129 of 771
83rd percentile in Indiana
Poverty Rate
#420 of 849
50th percentile in Indiana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#146 of 850
83rd percentile in Indiana

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 Indiana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

57thIncome percentile
40thSafety percentile

57th percentile nationally for median household income · 40th 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 50 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+)

$219,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 52% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $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, IN Highland, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Highland, IN-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, IN median $76,219/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, IN'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, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 30.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.0%

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

Population
23,749
Median Income
$76,219
Median Home Value
$219,500
Median Age
44.5
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Labor force participation
60.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
30.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1693.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
98.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1595.3
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
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
23,200 residents23,400 residents23,600 residents23,800 residents24,000 residents24,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 23,963 residents 23,409 residents ▼ -2.3%
Highland's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
9
housing units authorized
Single-Family
9
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 3
2021 2
2022 5
2023 4
2024 9

Permit volume increased 13% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.0 minutes
Drive Alone
83.7%
Carpool
4.2%
Public Transit
2.5%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
6.9%
Other
2.5%

Based on 11,523 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Indiana 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 Indiana 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
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,317/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
95.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

Munster
23,733 people
Greenfield
24,308 people
Avon
22,683 people
La Porte
22,125 people
Clarksville
22,121 people
St. John
21,639 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Highland's 23,749 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Chantilly, VA
23,744 people
Fountain Hills, AZ
23,768 people
Belton, TX
23,769 people
Webster Groves, MO
23,771 people
Roseburg, OR
23,773 people
San Fernando, CA
23,716 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Highland's $76,219 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Latta, OK
$76,216 median income
Victoria, KS
$76,214 median income
Hull, IA
$76,213 median income
Mitiwanga, OH
$76,213 median income
Berkley, CO
$76,232 median income
Lowell, MA
$76,205 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Highland, IN 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, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 73.2% 10.4% 8.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 18.4% White 73.2% Black or African American 10.4% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.5% Two or more races 8.5% 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 Indiana 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) 23,749 $76,219
Munster 23,733 $105,764
Greenfield 24,308 $74,949
Avon 22,683 $97,589
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Highland, IN?

What is the population of Highland, IN? +

Highland, IN counts 23,749 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Highland is $76,219 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 Indiana state average, a cost of living index of 93.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Indiana vary by metro area.

Is Highland, IN safe? +

Highland has a total crime rate of 1693.7 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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, IN? +

A typical home in Highland is worth $219,500, 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.