Population 220 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Highland Lakes
Household size in Highland Lakes
| Period | Highland Lakes | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.05 | 2.63 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 1.76 | 2.73 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.17 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.53 | 2.63 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.48 | +0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Highland Lakes has 2.53 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has climbed from 2.05 in 2006–10, but in a place this small, survey estimates can swing a lot from one release to the next.
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 Lakes
| Period | Highland Lakes | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 67.5 | 40.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 67.8 | 42.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 67.3 | 43.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.1 | 43.5 | 40.1 |
| Change | −20.4 | +2.7 | +2.3 |
Highland Lakes skews older: half of its residents are older than 47.1, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families.
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 Lakes
| Period | Highland Lakes | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.7% | 12.4% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.8% | 12.2% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 20.6% | 11.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.8% | 11.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −11.9 pts | −1.0 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 2.8% of households in Highland Lakes, well below the national share of 11.6%.
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 Lakes
Renters in Highland Lakes
| Period | Highland Lakes | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.3% | 30.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.1% | 33.9% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.3% | 34.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 10.3% | 32.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +7.0 pts | +2.1 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 10.3% of households in Highland Lakes rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Just over four in ten owners (42.2%) have paid off their mortgages, about the same as nationally.
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 Lakes
| Period | Highland Lakes | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.4% | 17.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 32.4% | 17.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 35.4% | 15.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.1% | 12.5% | 9.6% |
| Change | −18.3 pts | −4.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 21.1% of the housing in Highland Lakes, 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.
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 Lakes
| Period | Highland Lakes | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1988 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1985 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1990 | 1986 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1989 | 1989 | 1980 |
| Change | +1 | +5 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Highland Lakes is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1989, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. That is in line with the rest of Florida.
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 Lakes
| Period | Highland Lakes | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $675 | $1,092 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,385 | $1,123 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $774 | $1,323 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,079 | $1,816 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,404 | +$724 | +$606 |
Rent in Highland Lakes runs $2,079 a month at the median, utilities included, well above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent takes 50.9% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Lakes
Bachelor's degrees in Highland Lakes
| Period | Highland Lakes | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.1% | 26.4% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.1% | 27.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.8% | 30.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 35.2% | 34.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +13.1 pts | +8.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a third of adults 25 and older in Highland Lakes (35.2%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 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 Lakes
| Period | Highland Lakes | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.8% | 85.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 93.3% | 86.5% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.0% | 88.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.7% | 90.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.9 pts | +4.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Highland Lakes have finished high school as nationally: 90.7%, against 89.3%.
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 Lakes
| Period | Highland Lakes | Florida | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 8.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 32.5% | 11.0% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 5.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.9% | 4.8% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.2 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Highland Lakes is close to the national rate: 5.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Florida overall (4.8%). 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 Lakes 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 Lakes | 2.53 | 47.1 | 2.8% | 10.3% | 21.1% | 1989 | $2,079 | 35.2% | 90.7% | 5.9% |
| Avon Park | 2.24 | 49.9 | 8.8% | 25.7% | 17.4% | 1984 | $1,014 | 15.0% | 83.7% | 6.8% |
| Avon Park Lakes | 2.17 | 60.2 | 6.8% | 14.6% | 21.9% | 1989 | $855 | 7.6% | 85.8% | 4.9% |
| Maxcy Quarters | 2.33 | 52.0 | 9.0% | 16.5% | 27.4% | 1996 | $974 | 17.3% | 96.0% | 0.5% |
| Frostproof | 2.51 | 50.7 | 11.4% | 20.5% | 27.8% | 1986 | $964 | 16.5% | 82.3% | 4.3% |
| Indian Lake Estates | 2.40 | 54.7 | 8.4% | 12.3% | 40.2% | 1989 | $745 | 6.8% | 85.2% | 4.8% |
| Hillcrest Heights | 2.33 | 47.3 | 8.4% | 15.1% | 28.2% | 1987 | $1,308 | 27.3% | 93.5% | 4.5% |
| Lemon Grove | 2.27 | 48.6 | 13.2% | 22.7% | 21.5% | 1999 | $913 | 12.6% | 69.2% | 1.0% |
| Fort Meade | 2.80 | 41.8 | 13.3% | 28.9% | 18.5% | 1981 | $1,023 | 9.3% | 78.1% | 3.8% |
| River Ranch | 2.20 | 48.2 | 10.2% | 24.6% | 49.6% | 1985 | $1,068 | 9.8% | 79.9% | 4.6% |
| Torrey | 3.63 | 30.2 | 17.7% | 37.2% | 20.8% | 1979 | $854 | 9.0% | 78.8% | 6.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Miller Dale Colony, SD · Mabel, PA · Maben, WV · Mabry, TX · Mack Creek Village, VA · Madoc, MT · Magan, KY · Mahkonce, MN · Mainstream, ME · Malaga, NM
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 Lakes. 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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