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Highlands, NC
Town in Macon County, North Carolina.
Population
1,074
Land area
6.2sq mi
People per sq mi
172
ZIP codes
0
Highlands and its ZIP codes
Highlands at a glance
- The median household income is $71,509, close to the North Carolina median.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $700,900 (about 2.4 times the North Carolina figure) and median rent is $650 a month.
Local data for Highlands, NC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Highlands, NC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$71,509
Poverty rate
7.9%
Median home value
$700,900
Median rent
$650/mo
Homeownership
67.2%
Bachelor's or higher
57.8%
Median age
62.7
Average commute
14.6 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: German Americans (154), Irish Americans (140), Scottish Americans (60).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Macon County. PPP loans are for Highlands.
Unemployment rate
3.3%
Aug 2026, -0.4 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$48,238
12,592 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$55,969
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$330M
FY 2026, $8,903 per person
How people get to work
Highlands, NC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone43.6%
- Carpooled7.2%
- Public transit0.0%
- Walked25.5%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.0%
- Worked from home23.7%
Average one-way commute: 14.6 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Highlands, NC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: landslide
Storm events since 1996
479
Countywide, mostly winter weather
Flood insurance policies
211
0.8% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
78° / 24°F
88.3 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone6 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Highlands, NC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
31.0%
U.S. 33.3% -2.3 pts
Diabetes
14.1%
U.S. 12.1% +2.0 pts
Smoking
10.4%
U.S. 12.8% -2.4 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
7.4%
U.S. 11.1% -3.7 pts
Cities near Highlands
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| CashiersCensus-designated place | 7.1 mi | 4.1 |
| Sky Valley, GACity | 8.9 mi | 3 |
| GlenvilleCensus-designated place | 9.3 mi | 1.3 |
| Dillard, GACity | 12 mi | 1.8 |
| FranklinTown | 13 mi | 4.9 |
| Mountain City, GATown | 14 mi | 1.8 |
| Tamassee, SCCensus-designated place | 16 mi | 1.2 |
| Clayton, GACity | 17 mi | 3.4 |
| Forest HillsVillage | 17 mi | 0.5 |
| Salem, SCTown | 17 mi | 0.9 |
| CullowheeCensus-designated place | 18 mi | 3.8 |
| Longcreek, SCCensus-designated place | 19 mi | 1.9 |
| Tiger, GATown | 19 mi | 0.8 |
| Tate City, GACensus-designated place | 21 mi | 1 |
| WebsterTown | 21 mi | 1 |
| Walhalla, SCCity | 21 mi | 3.9 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Highlands, NC in?
- Highlands is in Macon County, North Carolina.
- What is the population of Highlands, NC?
- About 1,074 people live in Highlands, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Highlands?
- Nearby places include Cashiers (7.1 mi), Sky Valley, GA (8.9 mi), Glenville (9.3 mi), Dillard, GA (12 mi), Franklin (13 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023