Population 2,296 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Highland County
Household size in Highland County
| Period | Highland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.14 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.11 | 2.68 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.06 | 2.68 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.32 | 2.62 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.18 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Households in Highland County are small: just 2.32 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.14, but in a place this small, much of that may be survey noise rather than real change.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Highland County
| Period | Highland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 51.5 | 38.2 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 58.7 | 39.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 60.3 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 56.8 | 40.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.3 | +2.1 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 56.8, Highland County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Only one other Virginia county is older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Highland County
| Period | Highland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.6% | 11.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 5.5% | 11.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 3.7% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.5% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 3.5% of households in Highland County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Highland County has the lowest share of single-parent households of any Virginia county.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Highland County
Renters in Highland County
| Period | Highland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.4% | 31.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.6% | 33.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.1% | 33.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 11.1% | 32.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −12.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Highland County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 11.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 64.1% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Few Virginia counties have a lower share of renters: only two of 133.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Highland County
| Period | Highland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.1% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 43.9% | 10.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 45.5% | 9.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 46.9% | 8.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Highland County: 46.9% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Highland County has the highest vacancy rate of any Virginia county.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Highland County
| Period | Highland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1948 | 1978 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1958 | 1980 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1974 | 1981 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1970 | 1984 | 1980 |
| Change | +23 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Highland County is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1970, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. Highland County has older homes than at least four in five Virginia counties.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Highland County
| Period | Highland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $526 | $1,143 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $447 | $1,238 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $616 | $1,436 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $854 | $1,743 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$329 | +$600 | +$606 |
Rent in Highland County runs $854 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. The typical renter here spends 30.3% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Highland County has lower rents than at least four in five Virginia counties.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Highland County
Bachelor's degrees in Highland County
| Period | Highland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.2% | 35.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.1% | 36.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.8% | 39.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.9% | 42.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.7 pts | +7.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Highland County than nationally: 29.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Highland County
| Period | Highland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 73.8% | 86.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 80.1% | 88.3% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.8% | 89.9% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.0% | 91.6% | 89.3% |
| Change | +15.3 pts | +4.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Highland County have finished high school as nationally: 89.0%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Virginia overall (91.6%).
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Highland County
| Period | Highland County | Virginia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 0.6% | 6.0% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 1.9% | 7.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.1% | 4.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.9% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | +9.3 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Highland County runs well above the national rate: 9.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4%. Only one other Virginia county has higher unemployment. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Highland County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland County | 2.32 | 56.8 | 3.5% | 11.1% | 46.9% | 1970 | $854 | 29.9% | 89.0% | 9.9% |
| Pocahontas County | 2.38 | 49.0 | 6.6% | 16.4% | 43.7% | 1979 | $742 | 19.8% | 86.1% | 10.7% |
| Harrisonburg City | 2.64 | 31.1 | 11.4% | 60.5% | 11.7% | 1983 | $1,209 | 42.9% | 86.8% | 7.3% |
| Rockingham County | 2.60 | 40.5 | 10.3% | 24.7% | 9.6% | 1985 | $1,246 | 29.8% | 88.0% | 2.6% |
| Webster County | 2.81 | 48.2 | 8.6% | 22.7% | 31.0% | 1975 | $703 | 12.5% | 82.2% | 8.6% |
| Greene County | 2.67 | 42.9 | 11.8% | 16.6% | 8.5% | 1993 | $1,284 | 31.8% | 91.2% | 1.9% |
| Nicholas County | 2.55 | 46.0 | 10.2% | 17.8% | 23.2% | 1980 | $712 | 24.6% | 90.5% | 6.3% |
| Madison County | 2.52 | 46.6 | 8.4% | 22.2% | 10.6% | 1981 | $1,206 | 27.2% | 89.1% | 4.8% |
| Clay County | 2.62 | 43.5 | 13.5% | 24.0% | 24.2% | 1985 | $620 | 11.4% | 84.6% | 12.7% |
| Culpeper County | 2.83 | 39.7 | 12.1% | 25.0% | 5.4% | 1992 | $1,461 | 27.4% | 87.1% | 2.6% |
| Orange County | 2.58 | 42.4 | 9.1% | 21.3% | 9.1% | 1991 | $1,515 | 29.1% | 90.9% | 2.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Pendleton County, WV · Lucas County, IA · Luce County, MI · Lunenburg County, VA · Lyman County, SD · Lynn County, TX · Lyon County, IA · Ozark County, MO · Palo Alto County, IA · Parmer County, TX
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Highland County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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