Highland City, Florida Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Highland City, Florida had a total population of 13,276, the 290th largest community in Florida, with a median household income of $90,947, which is 22% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Highland City Quick Facts
How Highland City Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 12,732 | 13,276 | +4.3% |
| Median household income | $88,628 | $90,947 | +2.6% |
| Median home value | $301,600 | $347,100 | +15.1% |
How Highland City Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 65 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Highland City Rankings in Florida
Explore Florida Rankings
Other Cities in Polk County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | 119,961 | $64,185 | 13.2% | $249,400 |
| Poinciana | 75,068 | $68,015 | 14.9% | $290,700 |
| Winter Haven | 55,200 | $59,648 | 16.4% | $269,800 |
| Haines City | 34,234 | $65,975 | 16.1% | $288,900 |
| Bartow | 20,438 | $68,178 | 18.1% | $234,100 |
| Auburndale | 18,530 | $77,911 | 9.6% | $296,200 |
| Lake Wales | 16,785 | $56,347 | 22.4% | $239,300 |
| Davenport | 13,238 | $73,685 | 14.1% | $333,300 |
| Lakeland Highlands | 12,102 | $108,263 | 2.7% | $385,000 |
| Medulla | 10,985 | $70,802 | 8.8% | $319,800 |
Cities Similar to Highland City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Palm Beach | 13,238 | $90,049 | $513,000 | 50.2% | 7.7% |
| Conway | 12,928 | $87,405 | $405,800 | 41.5% | 8.9% |
| Fernandina Beach | 13,420 | $97,903 | $555,400 | 53.3% | 11.3% |
| Key Largo | 13,026 | $85,778 | $643,900 | 39.1% | 9.9% |
| Pasadena Hills | 13,505 | $84,821 | $338,900 | 32.1% | 4.3% |
Population Overview
Highland City is a small city located in Florida, within Polk County. The total population is 13,276. It ranks as the 290th most populous out of 955 Census-designated places in Florida.
Age Demographics
The median age in Highland City is 39.2 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 42.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Highland City is $90,947. This is 22% higher than the state median of $74,568. It is also 13% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.9%. This is 53% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 4.8%. The median home value is $347,100. Housing costs are 3% lower than the state median of $359,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 79.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Highland City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 16.9%.
Education
33.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 34.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Highland City, Florida is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Florida state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 955 Census-designated places in Florida. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Highland City, Florida?
Highland City, Florida has a population of 13,276 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Highland City, FL?
The median household income in Highland City is $90,947, which is 13% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Highland City, FL?
The poverty rate in Highland City is 5.9%. This means approximately 780 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Highland City, Florida?
Highland City's population is 67.6% White, 10.1% Black, 16.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Highland City, FL?
The median home value in Highland City is $347,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Highland City, Florida?
33.1% of adults (25+) in Highland City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.