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Highland Lake, AL

Alabama · Metropolitan Area

Highland Lake is a small town in Alabama with a population of 516. Residents earn $65,625 per year, which is 13% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
516 Population 317/sq mi density
$65,625 Median Income $43,093 per capita
$268,500 Home Value $283,781 Zillow
$950 Median Rent 25.0% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature 304 sunny days/yr
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$65,625 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$268,500 home value, $950/mo rent
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
30.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $65,625
13% lower than US avg
Home Value $268,500
5% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 30.4%
10% lower than US avg
Median Rent $950
18% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.4%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.8%
45% lower than US avg

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

People

Population516
Median Age60.0 yrs
Density317/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 99%
Veterans9.1%

Economy

A
Median Income$65,625
Per Capita$43,093
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty6.8%
County GDP$1,535M
Commute42 min

Housing

A
Home Value$268,500
Rent$950
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$283,781
Housing Units274
Rent Burden25.0%

Health

Obesity36.4%
Uninsured11.1%
Smoking18.9%
Depression28.1%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F (17°C)
AQI41 (Good)
Rain57.4 in/yr
Sunny Days304/yr
Elevation960 ft (293 m)

Education

B
Bachelor's+30.4%
High School+88.7%
Graduate+9.4%
School Score4.40

Community

2024 VoteR 90% / D 9%
Commute42 min
Broadband89.4%
Libraries2

Is Highland Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Highland Lake receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Highland Lake stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Highland Lake is $65,625, 13% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. Only 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Highland Lake is $268,500, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $950 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

30.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.4/10.

Climate & Weather

Highland Lake enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. With 304 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 57.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Highland Lake has a population of 516 with a density of 317 people per square mile. The median age is 60.0 years, 54% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (99.4%).

Population

516
Total Population
317
People / sq mi
60.0yrs
Median Age
54% above US avg
1.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.8%
Female 49.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Highland Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.3%
26% above US avg
Spanish0.7%
95% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Highland Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Highland Lake is $65,625, which is 13% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 42 minutes.

Income: Highland Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$65,625
13% below US avg
Per Capita Income$43,093
Avg Weekly Wage$879
IRS Avg AGI$62,345

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.8%
45% below US avg
Establishments (County)956
County GDP$1,535M

Business (County)

Restaurants58
Healthcare74
Retail132
Manufacturing43

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,734
50% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.65%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time41.6 min
Drive Alone80.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Highland Lake is $268,500, 5% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $950 (18% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $283,781.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$268,500
5% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$283,781
Median List Price$349,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$349,900
$/Sq Ft$166
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.3%
Price Drops33.3%
Inventory3

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$950
18% below US avg
Rent Burden25.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$716
1 Bedroom$772
2 Bedrooms$936
3 Bedrooms$1,206
4 Bedrooms$1,381

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.0%
Housing Units274
Median Year Built1976

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,734
50% below US avg
Effective Rate0.65%
In Highland Lake, 36.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 11.1% of residents lack health insurance. 18.9% are current smokers. 28.1% report depression. 28.8% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.4%
13% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure36.6%
Asthma10.6%
COPD8.8%
Cancer7.5%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.9%
35% above US avg
Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity28.8%
Depression28.1%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress15.2%
Short Sleep38.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.4%
Uninsured11.1%
29% above US avg
Checkup Rate77.2%
Dental Visits50.0%
Premature Death11,898/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access42.3%
Healthcare Facilities74
Highland Lake has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 57.4 inches. The area enjoys 304 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.3°F
15% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)
Sunny Days304 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall57.4 inches
51% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation960 ft (293 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density317/sq mi
Coordinates33.8946°N, 86.4226°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS01009
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 30.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (10% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 81-point margin. 89.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 90.2%
D 9.2%

Winner: Republican by 81 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+30.4%
10% below US avg
High School+88.7%
Graduate Degree+9.4%
School Test Score4.40
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density317/sq mi
Total Area1.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.4%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities74
Restaurants58
Retail Stores132

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)12
FEMA Disaster Declarations91

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute41.6 min
Drive Alone80.1%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.2%

Nearby Cities

Oneonta, AL 6,943 pop · 5.3 mi Ashville, AL 2,748 pop · 9.7 mi Cleveland, AL 1,366 pop · 10.9 mi Springville, AL 4,949 pop · 11.2 mi Remlap, AL 2,369 pop · 11.5 mi Altoona, AL 1,211 pop · 12.1 mi Locust Fork, AL 1,312 pop · 12.9 mi Gallant, AL 1,215 pop · 13.3 mi Odenville, AL 5,015 pop · 13.4 mi Steele, AL 1,293 pop · 13.6 mi Susan Moore, AL 1,323 pop · 13.7 mi Argo, AL 4,456 pop · 14.8 mi Snead, AL 1,490 pop · 15.4 mi Margaret, AL 5,538 pop · 15.5 mi
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