North Carolina
Highlands is a small town in North Carolina with a population of 1,276. Residents earn $63,750 per year, which is 15% below the national average.
Based on current data, Highlands receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Highlands offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Highlands is $63,750, 15% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. 11.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 14 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Highlands is $666,300, making it a premium housing market at 136% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $905 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. With a home price-to-income ratio of 10.5x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.
Highlands is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,250 per 100,000, 219% above the national average.
Highlands is a highly educated community — 53.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 95.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.5/10.
Highlands experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 88.3 inches, including 10.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
| English Only | 93.9% |
| 20% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 6.1% |
| 54% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $63,750 |
| 15% below US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $48,722 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $893 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $66,451 |
| Unemployment | 1.8% |
| 50% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 11.3% |
| 9% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 1,457 |
| County GDP | $2,130M |
| Restaurants | 131 |
| Healthcare | 107 |
| Retail | 218 |
| Manufacturing | 31 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,064 |
| 16% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.61% |
| Commute Time | 13.8 min |
| Work from Home | 19.4% |
| Census Median | $666,300 |
| 136% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $1,010,831 |
| Census Median Rent | $905 |
| 22% below US avg |
| Studio | $932 |
| 1 Bedroom | $981 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,161 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,499 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,780 |
| Owner-Occupied | 59.0% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,064 |
| 16% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 0.61% |
| Obesity | 32.0% |
| 0% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 8.4% |
| Heart Disease | 5.1% |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.6% |
| Asthma | 10.5% |
| COPD | 5.7% |
| Stroke | 2.6% |
| Binge Drinking | 17.8% |
| Physical Inactivity | 19.3% |
| Depression | 26.3% |
| Mental Distress | 16.4% |
| Physical Distress | 11.2% |
| Insurance Rate | 79.5% |
| Checkup Rate | 77.3% |
| Premature Death | 10,667/100K |
| Food Environment | 7.5/10 |
| Exercise Access | 100.0% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 107 |
| Total Violent | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Murder | 0.0/100K |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Rape | 0.0/100K |
| Robbery | 0.0/100K |
| Assault | 0.0/100K |
| Total Property | 6,250.0/100K |
| 219% above US avg | |
| Burglary | 1,616.4/100K |
| Theft | 4,418.1/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 215.5/100K |
| Arson | 0.0/100K |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 3 |
| Safety Grade | C+ |
| Safety Score | 2.5 / 5.0 |
| Annual Average | 50.9°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 88.3 inches |
| 132% above US avg | |
| Snowfall | 10.2 inches/yr |
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Elevation | 3,849 ft (1,173 m) |
| Area | 6.3 sq mi (16.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 204/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.0538°N, 83.1976°W |
| County FIPS | 37113 |
Winner: Republican by 38 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 53.0% |
| 57% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 95.8% |
| School Test Score | 5.46 |
| RUCC Code 7 | Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K |
| Population Density | 204/sq mi |
| Total Area | 6.3 sq mi |
| EV Charging Stations | 11 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 11 |
| Public Libraries | 3 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 107 |
| Restaurants | 131 |
| Retail Stores | 218 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 3 |
| Avg Commute | 13.8 min |
| Work from Home | 19.4% |