New Jersey · Metropolitan Area
Highland Lakes is a small town in New Jersey with a population of 3,941. Residents earn $129,500 per year, which is 72% above the national average.
Based on current data, Highland Lakes receives an overall livability score of 4.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include long commute times. Highland Lakes stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.
The median household income in Highland Lakes is $129,500, which is significantly higher than the national average — 72% above $75,149. This places Highland Lakes among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 4.6%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 2.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 44 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.
The median home value in Highland Lakes is $291,200, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,862 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.
Highland Lakes is a highly educated community — 50.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 98.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.
Highland Lakes experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
| English Only | 87.4% |
| 11% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 12.6% |
| 6% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $129,500 |
| 72% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $69,912 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,129 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $97,341 |
| Unemployment | 4.6% |
| 28% above US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 2.4% |
| 81% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 3,624 |
| County GDP | $6,729M |
| Restaurants | 285 |
| Healthcare | 375 |
| Retail | 406 |
| Manufacturing | 97 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $10,140 |
| 190% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 3.48% |
| Commute Time | 44.2 min |
| Work from Home | 24.1% |
| Census Median | $291,200 |
| 3% above US avg | |
| Median List Price | $482,499 |
| Median List Price | $482,499 |
| $/Sq Ft | $224 |
| Homes Sold | 5 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 97.8% |
| Price Drops | 28.6% |
| Inventory | 14 |
| Census Median Rent | $1,862 |
| 60% above US avg |
| Studio | $1,599 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,759 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $2,132 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $2,658 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $3,005 |
| Owner-Occupied | 92.6% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $10,140 |
| 190% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 3.48% |
| Obesity | 25.2% |
| 21% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 6.7% |
| Heart Disease | 4.2% |
| High Blood Pressure | 26.9% |
| Asthma | 9.4% |
| COPD | 4.0% |
| Stroke | 2.1% |
| Binge Drinking | 20.0% |
| Physical Inactivity | 17.5% |
| Depression | 19.2% |
| Mental Distress | 15.6% |
| Physical Distress | 9.9% |
| Insurance Rate | 95.1% |
| Checkup Rate | 75.6% |
| Premature Death | 6,516/100K |
| Food Environment | 9.1/10 |
| Exercise Access | 93.4% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 375 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 14 |
| Annual Average | 50.0°F |
| 7% below US avg | |
| January Average | 27°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 52.2 inches |
| 37% above US avg |
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Area | 4.3 sq mi (11.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 912/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 41.1706°N, 74.4632°W |
| County FIPS | 34037 |
Winner: Republican by 24.9 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 50.7% |
| 50% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 98.6% |
| School Test Score | 6.24 |
| RUCC Code 1 | Metro — 1 million+ |
| Population Density | 912/sq mi |
| Total Area | 4.3 sq mi |
| Public Libraries | 7 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 375 |
| Restaurants | 285 |
| Retail Stores | 406 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 14 |
| Avg Commute | 44.2 min |
| Work from Home | 24.1% |