Population 23,803 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Highland
Household size in Highland
| Period | Highland | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.45 | 2.79 | 2.57 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.45 | 2.82 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.42 | 2.75 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.29 | 2.66 | 2.54 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.16 | −0.12 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Highland are small: just 2.29 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 dropped from 2.45, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people, only 16 have smaller households.
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
| Period | Highland | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.5 | 36.8 | 37.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.9 | 37.8 | 38.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.1 | 38.9 | 39.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 46.2 | 39.7 | 39.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.7 | +3.0 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Highland skews older: half of its residents are older than 46.2, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 41.5, in line with the national trend. Only seven of the 187 Indiana cities with 5,000+ people are 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
| Period | Highland | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 12.0% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.7% | 12.0% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.3% | 11.2% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.4% | 11.5% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.2 pts | −0.5 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in eight households in Highland (11.4%), close to the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is up 2.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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
Renters in Highland
| Period | Highland | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.7% | 32.1% | 28.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.8% | 34.8% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.0% | 35.5% | 30.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.5% | 34.5% | 29.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +2.3 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Highland is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.5% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Nearly four in ten owners (38.0%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally. Since 2006–10, the renter share has edged down 1.2 points, even as the national share rose.
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
| Period | Highland | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.4% | 9.8% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.6% | 9.8% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 8.9% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 7.2% | 9.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Only 5.4% of homes in Highland are vacant, far below the national rate of 9.6%, which usually means strong demand for housing. Vacancy is down 1.9 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Highland has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of Indiana cities.
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
| Period | Highland | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1966 | 1966 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1967 | 1967 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1966 | 1967 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1969 | 1970 | 1977 | 1980 |
| Change | +2 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Highland is a place of older homes: half were built before 1969, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the north.
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
| Period | Highland | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $974 | $1,060 | $763 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,010 | $1,142 | $819 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,039 | $1,306 | $903 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,305 | $1,602 | $1,146 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$331 | +$542 | +$384 | +$606 |
Rent in Highland runs $1,305 a month at the median, utilities included, below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $331 a month since 2006–10, up 34%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 32.7% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
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
Bachelor's degrees in Highland
| Period | Highland | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.8% | 33.9% | 23.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.3% | 35.2% | 24.6% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.1% | 37.9% | 27.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.8% | 40.9% | 30.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +7.0 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Highland than nationally: 29.8% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the northeast.
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
| Period | Highland | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 93.0% | 85.6% | 86.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.9% | 86.7% | 87.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.8% | 88.4% | 88.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.2% | 89.5% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +3.9 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Highland is above the national rate: 94.2% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has edged up 1.3 points, a smaller shift than nationally.
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
| Period | Highland | Chicago area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 9.1% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.9% | 10.8% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.7% | 6.3% | 4.9% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.9% | 6.3% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.0 pts | −2.8 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Highland is close to the national rate: 4.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is lower than in the Chicago area overall (6.3%). Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 3.0 points, mirroring the country.
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 compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highland | 2.29 | 46.2 | 11.4% | 21.5% | 5.4% | 1969 | $1,305 | 29.8% | 94.2% | 4.9% |
| Griffith | 2.37 | 38.3 | 17.1% | 26.8% | 5.9% | 1966 | $1,213 | 27.1% | 95.5% | 3.6% |
| Munster | 2.53 | 45.3 | 9.2% | 13.1% | 4.9% | 1975 | $1,678 | 50.5% | 95.5% | 5.7% |
| Hammond | 2.72 | 36.0 | 20.1% | 38.6% | 10.6% | 1954 | $1,161 | 16.7% | 82.2% | 7.0% |
| Schererville | 2.51 | 44.1 | 8.0% | 20.3% | 5.4% | 1989 | $1,372 | 34.0% | 94.8% | 4.5% |
| Lansing | 2.55 | 40.1 | 20.7% | 27.5% | 8.1% | 1965 | $1,376 | 28.3% | 93.4% | 9.4% |
| Lynwood | 2.71 | 42.7 | 15.7% | 26.9% | 12.8% | 1987 | $1,563 | 27.3% | 92.0% | 6.4% |
| Dyer | 2.63 | 44.9 | 8.8% | 10.0% | 3.4% | 1995 | $1,255 | 38.5% | 95.6% | 3.0% |
| East Chicago | 2.75 | 36.1 | 22.4% | 57.1% | 19.1% | 1943 | $910 | 11.8% | 73.9% | 8.2% |
| Gary | 2.56 | 38.1 | 25.5% | 49.5% | 24.1% | 1957 | $1,062 | 15.0% | 86.1% | 10.1% |
| Calumet City | 2.66 | 39.7 | 22.0% | 44.3% | 15.1% | 1964 | $1,293 | 21.8% | 88.8% | 11.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Ponte Vedra, FL · Little River, SC · Londonderry, NH · Lorton, VA · Louisville, CO · Loves Park, IL · Marietta, OH · Medford, NJ · New Brighton, MN · Palestine, 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. 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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