Highwood, Illinois Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Highwood, Illinois had a total population of 5,301, the 326th largest city in Illinois, with a median household income of $107,875, which is 29% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Highwood Quick Facts
How Highwood 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 | 5,243 | 5,301 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $101,862 | $107,875 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $454,500 | $405,400 | -10.8% |
How Highwood 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: 61 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Highwood Rankings in Illinois
Explore Illinois Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukegan | 89,076 | $71,919 | 15.3% | $190,900 |
| Mundelein | 31,915 | $108,340 | 8.2% | $309,700 |
| North Chicago | 30,643 | $60,172 | 24.5% | $159,600 |
| Gurnee | 30,510 | $119,628 | 5.2% | $344,300 |
| Highland Park | 30,398 | $168,094 | 4.2% | $607,300 |
| Round Lake Beach | 27,079 | $86,059 | 14.8% | $199,200 |
| Vernon Hills | 26,876 | $121,943 | 6.1% | $412,300 |
| Zion | 24,600 | $63,104 | 16.0% | $183,800 |
| Grayslake | 20,929 | $113,972 | 6.3% | $309,500 |
| Libertyville | 20,525 | $165,667 | 4.2% | $512,000 |
Cities Similar to Highwood
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Holiday | 5,641 | $107,875 | $256,400 | 31.0% | 2.9% |
| Mount Zion | 5,660 | $103,365 | $201,100 | 35.4% | 4.0% |
| Grandwood Park | 5,262 | $126,736 | $330,500 | 59.2% | 2.8% |
| Monee | 5,108 | $91,969 | $240,500 | 31.4% | 6.2% |
| Willow Springs | 5,868 | $103,583 | $378,300 | 37.9% | 4.1% |
Population Overview
Highwood is a small city located in Illinois, within Lake County. The total population is 5,301. It ranks as the 326th most populous out of 1,445 Census-designated places in Illinois.
Age Demographics
The median age in Highwood is 41.0 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Highwood is $107,875. This is 29% higher than the state median of $83,390. It is also 34% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.8%. The unemployment rate is 6.0%. This is 3% higher than the state rate of 5.8%. The median home value is $405,400. Housing costs are 54% higher than the state median of $263,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 56.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 67.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Highwood is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.6%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 13.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (36.6% vs 18.8%). The Asian population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 5.9%.
Education
39.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% higher 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 80.6%. Notably, 17.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Highwood, 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 Highwood, Illinois?
Highwood, Illinois has a population of 5,301 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Highwood, IL?
The median household income in Highwood is $107,875, which is 34% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Highwood, IL?
The poverty rate in Highwood is 16.0%. This means approximately 832 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Highwood, Illinois?
Highwood's population is 57.1% White, 1.1% Black, 36.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Highwood, IL?
The median home value in Highwood is $405,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Highwood, Illinois?
39.1% of adults (25+) in Highwood hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.