City profile · North Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Highlands, NC

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

1,276
Residents
$63,750
Median income
$666,300
Median home
$964
Median rent (state)

Highlands - the verdict

Nationally, Highlands sits in the 41st percentile for household income and the 40th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

41st
percentile, household income
92nd
percentile, home value
12th
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: Highlands, NC

Highlands is a small town in North Carolina, home to 1,276 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $63,750 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.3%. Home values in Highlands run a median of $666,300, and the median resident age is 58.4 years. 53.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 46.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Highlands reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1693.4 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Highlands's yearly average temperature at 50.9°F with 88.3 inches of precipitation per year and 10.2 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in North Carolina run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, North Carolina scores 94.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $964 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in North Carolina run around $215, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 80.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

1,276 residents

Census ACS 2023 - North Carolina

Median Household Income

$63,750 /yr

Poverty 11.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

94.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, North Carolina average

How does Highlands compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 41% higher than other cities
Home value 92% pricier than other cities
Median rent 12% 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.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to North Carolina alone, Highlands ranks #57 of 195 North Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

North Carolina-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Highlands's strongest outlier among North Carolina cities

Among the 708 North Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Highlands ranks #11 - the 98th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Highlands only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#294 of 700
58th percentile in North Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#527 of 746
28th percentile in North Carolina
Median Home Value
#11 of 708
98th percentile in North Carolina
Poverty Rate
#327 of 746
56th percentile in North Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#72 of 746
90th percentile in North Carolina

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

41stIncome percentile
40thSafety percentile

41st percentile nationally for median household income · 40th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Highlands's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Highlands'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 43 Avg. percentile National median
Highlands'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 Highlands's home value compares nationally

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

$666,300 8th percentile more affordable than 8% 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%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Highlands $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 - Highlands, NC Highlands, NC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Highlands, NC-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 Highlands, NC median $63,750/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%
Highlands, NC'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 Highlands, NC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 53.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 46.6%

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

Population
1,276
Median Income
$63,750
Median Home Value
$666,300
Median Age
58.4
Poverty Rate
11.3%
Labor force participation
46.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
53.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1693.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1693.4
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.9°F
Annual Precipitation
88.3"
Annual Snowfall
10.2"

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,060 residents1,080 residents1,100 residents1,120 residents1,140 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,069 residents 1,127 residents ▲ +5.4%
Highlands's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
54.0%
Carpool
6.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
20.4%
Work from Home
19.4%

Based on 511 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for North Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$215
estimated/month

Estimates reflect North Carolina 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 North Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Highlands sits in

Cost of Living Index
94.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$964/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
80.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in North Carolina

Arrowhead Beach
1,277 people
South Henderson
1,274 people
Denton
1,271 people
Bayboro
1,282 people
Candor
1,284 people
Southmont
1,293 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Highlands's 1,276 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Redway, CA
1,276 people
Greenfield, MO
1,276 people
Pioneer, OH
1,276 people
West Pelzer, SC
1,276 people
Rustburg, VA
1,276 people
Markesan, WI
1,276 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Highlands's $63,750 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Kellyton, AL
$63,750 median income
Golovin, AK
$63,750 median income
Peeples Valley, AZ
$63,750 median income
Banks, AR
$63,750 median income
Lakeview, CA
$63,750 median income
Malaga, CA
$63,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Highlands, NC 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 Highlands, NC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.0% 7.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 10.1% White 87.0% Black or African American 3.1% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 7.8% Two or more races 0.9% 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 Highlands compares to nearby North Carolina cities

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

City Population Median Household Income
Highlands (this city) 1,276 $63,750
Arrowhead Beach 1,277 $64,107
South Henderson 1,274 $36,417
Denton 1,271 $46,061
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Highlands, NC?

What is the population of Highlands, NC? +

Highlands, NC counts 1,276 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Highlands, NC? +

In Highlands, the typical household earns $63,750 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Highlands? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Highlands; the closest available measure is the North Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 94.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within North Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Highlands, NC safe? +

Highlands has a total crime rate of 1693.4 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 Highlands, NC? +

The median home value in Highlands is $666,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Highlands? +

The average annual temperature in Highlands runs 50.9°F, 88.3 inches of precipitation, and 10.2 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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.