Highland, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Highland, Illinois had a total population of 10,262, the 224th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $82,551, which is 1% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Highland Quick Facts
How Highland 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 | 10,268 | 10,262 | -0.1% |
| Median household income | $77,886 | $82,551 | +6.0% |
| Median home value | $185,800 | $202,900 | +9.2% |
How Highland 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Highland Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granite City | 26,549 | $59,205 | 14.8% | $104,300 |
| Edwardsville | 26,474 | $86,721 | 11.6% | $299,800 |
| Alton | 25,279 | $54,568 | 21.0% | $103,700 |
| Collinsville | 24,031 | $67,612 | 12.0% | $163,600 |
| Godfrey | 17,712 | $94,543 | 6.4% | $192,200 |
| Glen Carbon | 13,977 | $97,168 | 4.9% | $282,000 |
| Troy | 11,647 | $112,434 | 2.0% | $268,000 |
| Wood River | 10,279 | $62,703 | 13.9% | $108,100 |
| Bethalto | 9,239 | $64,775 | 12.3% | $168,900 |
| Maryville | 8,316 | $100,670 | 2.7% | $261,800 |
Cities Similar to Highland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestwood | 10,579 | $75,752 | $195,200 | 26.2% | 13.0% |
| Lyons | 10,339 | $70,993 | $257,300 | 18.4% | 14.0% |
| Peru | 9,775 | $74,808 | $154,300 | 23.1% | 9.0% |
| River Grove | 10,451 | $69,858 | $241,800 | 24.9% | 6.2% |
| Roscoe | 10,706 | $93,036 | $227,800 | 32.5% | 5.5% |
Population Overview
Highland is a small city located in Illinois, within Madison County. The total population is 10,262. It ranks as the 224th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Highland is 41.8 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Highland is $82,551. This is 1% lower than the state median of $83,390. It is also 2% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.0%. This is 49% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 82% lower than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $202,900. Housing costs are 23% lower than the state median of $263,300. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Highland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
Highland has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.5%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (91.1% vs 58.1%). The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 18.8%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
35.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 37.9%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Highland, Illinois 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 Illinois state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois. 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, Illinois?
Highland, Illinois has a population of 10,262 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Highland, IL?
The median household income in Highland is $82,551, which is 2% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Highland, IL?
The poverty rate in Highland is 6.0%. This means approximately 602 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Highland, Illinois?
Highland's population is 91.1% White, 0.2% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Highland, IL?
The median home value in Highland is $202,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Highland, Illinois?
35.8% of adults (25+) in Highland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.