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Highlands, NC
Full City Profile · North Carolina · Macon County County
2.8
/5.0
C+
Fair
1,276
Population
204/sq mi density
$63,750
Median Income
$48,722 per capita
$666,300
Home Value
$1,010,831 Zillow
$905
Median Rent
27.2% income on rent
51°F
Avg Temperature
302 sunny days/yr
411
Violent Crime/100K
7,084 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$63,750 median income, 1.8% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$666,300 home value, $905/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
411 violent crimes/100K (8% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
53.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Highlands experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 302 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 88.3 inches. The area receives 10.2 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 40.
Temperature
33°F Jan (1°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 50.9°F |
| 6% below US avg | |
| January Average | 33°F (1°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,849 ft (1,173 m) |
| Area | 6.2 sq mi (15.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 204/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 35.0538°N, 83.1976°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Macon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Oconee County Regional (CEU) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 40.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0400 ppm |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 73.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 73.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 21.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Relatively Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | No Rating |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively High |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F (1°C) | 6.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 37°F (3°C) | 6.3 in | |
| March | 44°F (7°C) | 7.9 in | Wettest |
| April | 52°F (11°C) | 5.8 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 6.9 in | |
| June | 65°F (19°C) | 6.3 in | |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 6.3 in | |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 6.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 6.0 in | |
| October | 54°F (12°C) | 5.6 in | Driest |
| November | 45°F (7°C) | 6.9 in | |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 6.7 in |
Highlands has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 33°F in January to 68°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 77.3 inches, with March being the wettest month (7.9") and October the driest (5.6").