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
Housing Overview
Median Home Value
$666,300
136% above
US avg: $281,900
Median Rent
$905/mo
22% below
US avg: $1,163/mo
Homeownership Rate
59.0%
10% below US avg (65.4%)
Total Housing Units
2,487
Median year built: 1980
Home Value by Source
Census Median
$666,300
Zillow (ZHVI)
$1,063,191
Census ACS, Zillow ZHVI, Redfin median sale price
Ownership vs. Renting
59.0%
Owner-Occupied
41.0%
Renter-Occupied
US avg: 65.4% owner-occupied
Fair Market Rents (HUD FY2026)
Studio
$932/mo
1 Bedroom
$981/mo
2 Bedroom
$1,161/mo
3 Bedroom
$1,499/mo
4 Bedroom
$1,780/mo
Census median rent:
$905/mo
Affordability & Housing Stock
Rent Burden
27.2%
of renters spending 30%+ of income on housing
12% below US avg (31.0%)
Median Year Built
1980
Average age of housing stock: 46 years
Homeownership Rate
59.0%
Complete Housing Data
Home Values
| Census Median Value | $666,300 |
| Zillow Home Value (ZHVI) | $1,063,191 |
Rent
| Census Median Rent | $905 |
| FMR Studio | $932 |
| FMR 1-Bedroom | $981 |
| FMR 2-Bedroom | $1,161 |
| FMR 3-Bedroom | $1,499 |
| FMR 4-Bedroom | $1,780 |
Market
Ownership & Stock
| Owner-Occupied | 59.0% |
| Renter-Occupied | 41.0% |
| Homeownership Rate | 59.0% |
| Total Housing Units | 2,487 |
| Median Year Built | 1980 |
| Rent Burden | 27.2% |