Highland, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Highland, Indiana had a total population of 23,680, the 43rd largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $78,062, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 23,749 | 23,680 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $76,219 | $78,062 | +2.4% |
| Median home value | $219,500 | $233,300 | +6.3% |
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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Highland Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Lake County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | 19.1% | $159,900 |
| Gary | 68,113 | $38,731 | 33.1% | $94,700 |
| Merrillville | 36,476 | $67,587 | 12.6% | $211,400 |
| Crown Point | 34,393 | $101,686 | 6.9% | $294,800 |
| Schererville | 29,701 | $89,466 | 7.7% | $314,900 |
| Hobart | 29,558 | $75,160 | 10.0% | $215,200 |
| East Chicago | 26,022 | $42,125 | 26.3% | $105,400 |
| Munster | 23,733 | $110,187 | 6.0% | $334,300 |
| St. John | 22,567 | $131,467 | 2.1% | $406,300 |
| Dyer | 16,400 | $107,159 | 6.2% | $322,200 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenfield | 24,940 | $76,127 | $216,400 | 26.3% | 5.3% |
| Avon | 23,437 | $98,486 | $323,800 | 40.1% | 5.7% |
| Franklin | 26,168 | $82,380 | $231,500 | 27.8% | 11.0% |
| Seymour | 22,371 | $64,426 | $162,800 | 18.1% | 15.5% |
| Munster | 23,733 | $110,187 | $334,300 | 49.9% | 6.0% |
Population Overview
Highland is a small city located in Indiana, within Lake County. The total population is 23,680. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Highland is 44.6 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 38.1 years. 10.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Highland is $78,062. This is 8% higher than the state median of $71,957. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.6%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $233,300. Housing costs are 7% higher than the state median of $218,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 78.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Highland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.3% vs 8.6%).
Education
29.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Highland, Indiana 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 Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. 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, Indiana?
Highland, Indiana has a population of 23,680 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Highland, IN?
The median household income in Highland is $78,062, which is 3% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Highland, IN?
The poverty rate in Highland is 11.6%. This means approximately 2,724 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Highland, Indiana?
Highland's population is 65.7% White, 8.7% Black, 20.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Highland, IN?
The median home value in Highland is $233,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Highland, Indiana?
29.5% of adults (25+) in Highland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.