City

Highlands, NC

1 ZIP code  ·  Macon County  ·  North Carolina

👥4,266Population
💰$68,874Median HH Income▼ 10% below avg
🎂61.8Median Age
🏠$596,100Median Home Value▲ 114% above avg
🎓57.3%College Grads▲ 48% above avg
📊1.6%Unemployment▼ 68% below avg
People & Population (ACS 2023 — weighted avg)
♂ Male 52.6% Female 47.4% ♀

Race & Ethnicity

White: 90.4%Hispanic: 6.2%Black: 2%Asian: 0.4%Other: 0.4%Race
White90.4%
Hispanic6.2%
Black2.0%
Asian0.4%
Other0.4%

Age Breakdown

Under 5
2%
5–17
9%
18–24
3%
25–44
15%
45–64
29%
65+
25%

Key Indicators

Median Age61.8 yrs
Avg HH Size1.82
Below Poverty7.9% ▼ 21% below avg
College Grads57.3% ▲ 48% above avg
Unemployment1.6% ▼ 68% below avg
No HS Diploma28 (0.8%)
HS Graduate488 (14.5%)
Some College214 (6.4%)
Associates702 (20.9%)
Bachelors195 (5.8%)
Graduate Degree1,730 (51.5%)

Education

No HS: 0.8%HS Grad: 14.5%Some College: 6.4%Associates: 20.9%Bachelors: 5.8%Graduate: 51.5%Edu
No HS0.8%
HS Grad14.5%
Some College6.4%
Associates20.9%
Bachelors5.8%
Graduate51.5%
Housing & Income

Housing Tenure

Owner: 73.1%Renter: 26.9%Tenure
Owner73.1%
Renter26.9%

Home Value Distribution

$50k–$100k
1%
$100k–$150k
2%
$150k–$200k
4%
$200k–$300k
12%
$300k–$500k
22%
Over $500k
59%

Financials

Median HH Income$68,874 ▼ 10% below avg
Median Home Value$596,100 ▲ 114% above avg
Home/Income Ratio8.7x (nat avg ~3.5x)
Median Rent$862/mo
Total Housing Units6,089
Vacant Units3,794

Income Distribution

Under $25k
18%
$25k–$50k
11%
$50k–$75k
25%
$75k–$100k
8%
$100k–$150k
16%
$150k–$200k
6%
Over $200k
15%
Employment & Commute

How People Get to Work

Drove Alone
81%
Walked
7%
Work From Home
12%

Commute Time

Under 15 min
49%
15–30 min
34%
30–45 min
11%
Over 45 min
6%
Housing Stock

Year Built

Before 1940
1%
1940s–1950s
6%
1960s–1970s
18%
1980s–1990s
20%
2000+
55%
About Highlands, NC

Highlands is a city in North Carolina, located in Macon County. The city spans 1 ZIP code and is home to approximately 4,266 residents. It is an older city, with a median age of 61.8 years.

Economically, Highlands is a solidly middle-class community. The median household income of $68,874 is near the national average. Approximately 7.9% of residents live below the poverty line. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, well below the national average.

The real estate market in Highlands is a premium housing market. Median home values stand at $596,100, which is more than double the national average. Renters typically pay around $862 per month. Homeownership is high at 73.1%, typical of suburban and family-oriented communities.

The population of Highlands is well-educated. 57.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — above the national average. The community is primarily White (90.39%).

Highlands, NC offers residents a cost-conscious lifestyle within North Carolina.

ZIP Codes in Highlands
ZIPPopulationMedian IncomeMedian HomeMedian RentUnemp.CollegeOwner Occ.
28741 4,266 $68,874 $596,100 $862 1.6% 57.3% 73.1%