Highlands, NC

Full City Profile · North Carolina · Macon County County

3.1 /5.0
B Good
1,276 Population 204/sq mi density
$63,750 Median Income $48,722 per capita
$666,300 Home Value $1,063,191 Zillow
$905 Median Rent 27.2% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$63,750 median income, 3.7% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$666,300 home value, $905/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
53.0% bachelor's degree or higher

Highlands, NC

At a Glance

Median Income
$63,750
15% below
$48,722 per capita
Home Value
$666,300
136% above
Zillow: $1,063,191
Median Rent
$905/mo
22% below
27.2% of income on rent
Violent Crime
0/100K
100% below
1,693/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
53.0%
57% above
95.8% high school+
Unemployment
3.7%
3% above
11.3% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
32.0%
0% below
11.9% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
51°F

How Highlands Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Highlands's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
85%
Home Value
236%
Rent
78%
Poverty
91%
Bachelor's
157%
Unemployment
103%
Crime
0%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Highlands a Good Place to Live?

B
3.1 / 5.0 - Good
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Highlands residents earn a median household income of $63,750 , which is 15% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $48,722. The unemployment rate stands at 3.7% (3% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 1,457 business establishments, including 131 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Highlands is $666,300 , 136% above the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $1,063,191. Median rent is $905/month, with 27.2% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 94.3 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1980.

Safety & Crime

Highlands reports 0 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 100% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,693/100K.

Education

53.0% of adults in Highlands hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% above the national average). 95.8% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.6/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Highlands has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 88.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Data Overview

People

Population1,276
Median Age58.4 yrs
Density204/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Foreign Born9.6%
Veterans8.0%

Economy

B+
Median Income$63,750
Per Capita$48,722
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty11.3%
County GDP$2,130M
Avg Weekly Wage$893

Housing

F
Home Value$666,300
Rent$905
Ownership59.0%
Zillow$1,063,191
Housing Units2,487
Rent Burden27.2%

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property1,693/100K

Health

Obesity32.0%
Diabetes8.4%
Smoking11.9%
Heart Disease5.1%
Premature Death10,667/100K

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
Rain88.3 in/yr
AQI34 (Good)
Elevation3,849 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+53.0%
High School+95.8%
Graduate+23.7%
School Score5.6/10

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 31%
Commute14 min
Broadband90.3%
Internet Speed79 Mbps
EV Stations11
Libraries3

Did You Know?

Highlands was founded in 1875.
The median home in Highlands was built in 1980.
19.4% work from home.
The nearest airport is Oconee County Regional (32 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.472 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
12.6% of the population has a disability.
There are 131 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 3 fatal vehicle crashes.