Highland, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Highland is a small city in Illinois with a population of 10,268. Residents earn $77,886 per year, which is 4% above the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
10,268 Population 1,434/sq mi density
$77,886 Median Income $42,790 per capita
$185,800 Home Value $262,587 Zillow
$776 Median Rent
58°F Avg Temperature
203 Violent Crime/100K 1,748 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.6 / 5.0
$77,886 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$185,800 home value, $776/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
203 violent crimes/100K (47% below avg)
B+
Education
3.5 / 5.0
31.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $77,886
4% higher than US avg
Home Value $185,800
34% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 203/100K
47% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 31.3%
7% lower than US avg
Median Rent $776
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.5%
14% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.1%
75% lower than US avg

How Highland Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population10,268
Median Age42.1 yrs
Density1,434/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A+
Median Income$77,886
Per Capita$42,790
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty3.1%
County GDP$16,575M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$185,800
Rent$776
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$262,587

Crime

F
Violent203/100K
Property1,748/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault152/100K
Burglary71/100K

Health

Obesity36.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.6%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp58°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain43.4 in/yr
Elevation550 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+31.3%
High School+96.5%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 56% / D 42%
Commute26 min
EV Stations3
Libraries19

Is Highland a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Highland receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Highland offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Highland is $77,886, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. Only 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Highland is $185,800, 34% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $776 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Highland is below the national average at 203 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,748 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

31.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Highland enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F. Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.4 inches, including 11.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Highland has a population of 10,268 with a density of 1,434 people per square mile. The median age is 42.1 years, 8% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.3%).

Population

10,268
Total Population
1,434
People / sq mi
42.1yrs
Median Age
8% above US avg
7.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51%
Female 49%

Race & Ethnicity

Highland vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.0%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.0%
70% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Highland vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Highland is $77,886, which is 4% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Highland vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$77,886
4% above US avg
Per Capita Income$42,790
Avg Weekly Wage$1,099
IRS Avg AGI$77,601

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.1%
75% below US avg
Establishments (County)5,398
County GDP$16,575M

Business (County)

Restaurants627
Healthcare682
Retail741
Manufacturing169

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,460
85% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.48%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.3 min
Work from Home10.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Highland is $185,800, 34% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $776 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $262,587.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$185,800
34% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$262,587
Median List Price$241,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$241,000
$/Sq Ft$134
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio102.8%
Price Drops30.8%
Inventory26

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$776
33% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied71.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,460
85% above US avg
Effective Rate3.48%
In Highland, 36.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.6% report depression. 18.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Highland vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.5%
14% above US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma10.4%
COPD5.6%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.3%
Physical Inactivity18.6%
Depression23.6%
Mental Distress17.8%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.8%
Checkup Rate75.7%
Premature Death9,159/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access87.6%
Healthcare Facilities682
Highland has a violent crime rate of 203 per 100,000 residents, 47% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,748 per 100,000 (11% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Highland vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent203.3/100K
47% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape30.5/100K
Robbery20.3/100K
Assault152.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,748.3/100K
11% below US avg
Burglary71.2/100K
Theft1,656.8/100K
Vehicle Theft20.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Highland has an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 34°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

34°F Jan (1°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average57.7°F
7% above US avg
January Average34°F (1°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.4 inches
14% above US avg
Snowfall11.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation550 ft (168 m)
Area7.2 sq mi (18.5 km²)
Population Density1,434/sq mi
Coordinates38.7698°N, 89.6861°W
County FIPS17119
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 31.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (7% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 13.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 55.8%
D 42.5%

Winner: Republican by 13.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+31.3%
7% below US avg
High School+96.5%
School Test Score5.34
B+ Education Grade (3.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density1,434/sq mi
Total Area7.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries19
Healthcare Facilities682
Restaurants627
Retail Stores741

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)34
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.3 min
Work from Home10.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Highland with another city: