Highlands, NJ

New Jersey · Metropolitan Area

Highlands is a small town in New Jersey with a population of 4,575. Residents earn $90,082 per year, which is 20% above the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
4,575 Population 6,182/sq mi density
$90,082 Median Income $73,460 per capita
$394,800 Home Value $559,988 Zillow
$1,848 Median Rent
54°F Avg Temperature
141 Violent Crime/100K 1,293 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$90,082 median income, 5.8% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$394,800 home value, $1,848/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
141 violent crimes/100K (63% below avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
53.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $90,082
20% higher than US avg
Home Value $394,800
40% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 141/100K
63% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 53.7%
59% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,848
59% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 30.5%
5% lower than US avg
Unemployment 5.8%
61% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 2.2%
82% lower than US avg

How Highlands Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population4,575
Median Age49.3 yrs
Density6,182/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

A
Median Income$90,082
Per Capita$73,460
Unemployment5.8%
Poverty2.2%
County GDP$145,934M
Commute40 min

Housing

A
Home Value$394,800
Rent$1,848
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$559,988

Crime

F
Violent141/100K
Property1,293/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault121/100K
Burglary465/100K

Health

Obesity30.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression16.3%
Heart Disease4.7%

Climate

Avg Temp54°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain52.5 in/yr
Elevation5 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+53.7%
High School+90.7%
School Score6.24

Community

2024 VoteR 28% / D 72%
Commute40 min
EV Stations4
Libraries63

Is Highlands a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Highlands receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, long commute times. Highlands offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Highlands is $90,082, 20% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The unemployment rate of 5.8% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 2.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 40 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Highlands is $394,800, 40% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $1,848 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Highlands is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 141 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,293 per 100,000, 34% below the national average.

Education

Highlands is a highly educated community — 53.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 90.7% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.2/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Highlands experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 54°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Highlands has a population of 4,575 with a density of 6,182 people per square mile. The median age is 49.3 years, 27% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.4%), with 1.8% Hispanic, 3.8% Black.

Population

4,575
Total Population
6,182
People / sq mi
49.3yrs
Median Age
27% above US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.3%
Female 47.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Highlands vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.7%
16% above US avg
Spanish9.3%
31% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Highlands vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Highlands is $90,082, which is 20% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 2.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 40 minutes.

Income: Highlands vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$90,082
20% above US avg
Per Capita Income$73,460
Avg Weekly Wage$1,153
IRS Avg AGI$82,172

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.8%
61% above US avg
Poverty Rate2.2%
82% below US avg
Establishments (County)74,847
County GDP$145,934M

Business (County)

Restaurants6,391
Healthcare7,173
Retail10,184
Manufacturing1,465

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,470
113% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.89%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time39.6 min
Work from Home22.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Highlands is $394,800, 40% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,848 (59% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $559,988.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$394,800
40% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$559,988
Median List Price$495,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$495,000
$/Sq Ft$558
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio99.6%
Price Drops25.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,848
59% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$3,750

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,599
1 Bedroom$1,759
2 Bedrooms$2,132
3 Bedrooms$2,658
4 Bedrooms$3,005

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,470
113% above US avg
Effective Rate1.89%
In Highlands, 30.5% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 16.3% report depression. 18.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Highlands vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity30.5%
5% below US avg
Diabetes7.6%
Heart Disease4.7%
High Blood Pressure27.8%
Asthma9.3%
COPD4.7%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity18.6%
Depression16.3%
Mental Distress15.7%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Checkup Rate75.7%
Premature Death6,345/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access100.0%
Healthcare Facilities7,173
Highlands has a violent crime rate of 141 per 100,000 residents, 63% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,293 per 100,000 (34% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Highlands vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent141.4/100K
63% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery20.2/100K
Assault121.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,293.2/100K
34% below US avg
Burglary464.7/100K
Theft788.0/100K
Vehicle Theft40.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)70

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Highlands has an average annual temperature of 54°F (12°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

33°F Jan (1°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average53.7°F
1% below US avg
January Average33°F (1°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.5 inches
38% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation5 ft (2 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density6,182/sq mi
Coordinates40.4042°N, 73.9882°W
County FIPS36047
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 53.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 44-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 28%
D 72%

Winner: Democrat by 44 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+53.7%
59% above US avg
High School+90.7%
School Test Score6.24
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density6,182/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations4
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries63
Healthcare Facilities7,173
Restaurants6,391
Retail Stores10,184

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)70
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute39.6 min
Work from Home22.8%

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