Highwood, IL

Illinois · Metropolitan Area

Highwood is a small city in Illinois with a population of 5,243. Residents earn $101,862 per year, which is 36% above the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
5,243 Population 7,282/sq mi density
$101,862 Median Income $47,680 per capita
$454,500 Home Value $461,197 Zillow
$1,800 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
38 Violent Crime/100K 657 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.3 / 5.0
$101,862 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$454,500 home value, $1,800/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
38 violent crimes/100K (90% below avg)
A
Education
4.0 / 5.0
38.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $101,862
36% higher than US avg
Home Value $454,500
61% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 38/100K
90% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 38.1%
13% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,800
55% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.3%
13% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.7%
2% higher than US avg

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

People

Population5,243
Median Age35.9 yrs
Density7,282/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 59%

Economy

A
Median Income$101,862
Per Capita$47,680
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty12.7%
County GDP$82,869M
Commute31 min

Housing

A
Home Value$454,500
Rent$1,800
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$461,197

Crime

F
Violent38/100K
Property657/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault38/100K
Burglary113/100K

Health

Obesity36.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.5%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain39.5 in/yr
Elevation687 ft

Education

A
Bachelor's+38.1%
High School+79.5%
School Score5.34

Community

2024 VoteR 39% / D 60%
Commute31 min
EV Stations1
Libraries25

Is Highwood a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Highwood receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low crime rates, a highly educated population. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Highwood offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Highwood is $101,862, which is significantly higher than the national average — 36% above $75,149. This places Highwood among higher-income communities. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 12.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Highwood is $454,500, making it a premium housing market at 61% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,800 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. A price-to-income ratio of 4.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Highwood is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 38 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 657 per 100,000, 66% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 38.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 79.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Highwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 39.5 inches, including 33.6 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Highwood has a population of 5,243 with a density of 7,282 people per square mile. The median age is 35.9 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (58.5%), with 2.5% Black.

Population

5,243
Total Population
7,282
People / sq mi
35.9yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
0.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53.1%
Female 46.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Highwood vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only59.6%
24% below US avg
Spanish40.4%
201% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Highwood vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Highwood is $101,862, which is 36% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 12.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Highwood vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$101,862
36% above US avg
Per Capita Income$47,680
Avg Weekly Wage$1,751
IRS Avg AGI$143,679

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate12.7%
2% above US avg
Establishments (County)19,967
County GDP$82,869M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,607
Healthcare2,211
Retail2,099
Manufacturing811

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$13,960
299% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.07%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time31.1 min
Work from Home13.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Highwood is $454,500, 61% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,800 (55% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $461,197.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$454,500
61% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$461,197
Median List Price$600,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$600,000
$/Sq Ft$284
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio101.1%
Price Drops28.6%
Inventory7

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,800
55% above US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$2,240

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$774
1 Bedroom$854
2 Bedrooms$1,063
3 Bedrooms$1,370
4 Bedrooms$1,561

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied49.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$13,960
299% above US avg
Effective Rate3.07%
In Highwood, 36.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.5% report depression. 23.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.3%
13% above US avg
Diabetes11.5%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure30.6%
Asthma9.1%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity23.6%
Depression18.5%
Mental Distress15.2%
Physical Distress12.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.2%
Checkup Rate74.2%
Premature Death5,610/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access98.2%
Healthcare Facilities2,211
Highwood has a violent crime rate of 38 per 100,000 residents, 90% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 657 per 100,000 (66% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent37.5/100K
90% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault37.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property656.9/100K
66% below US avg
Burglary112.6/100K
Theft544.3/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson18.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)55

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Highwood has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.6°F
8% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.5 inches
4% above US avg
Snowfall33.6 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation687 ft (209 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density7,282/sq mi
Coordinates42.2060°N, 87.8129°W
County FIPS17097
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 38.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (13% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 20.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38.9%
D 59.7%

Winner: Democrat by 20.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+38.1%
13% above US avg
High School+79.5%
School Test Score5.34
A Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density7,282/sq mi
Total Area0.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries25
Healthcare Facilities2,211
Restaurants1,607
Retail Stores2,099

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)55
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute31.1 min
Work from Home13.8%

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