Highlands, New Jersey Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Highlands, New Jersey had a total population of 4,518, the 319th largest borough in New Jersey, with a median household income of $91,913, which is 11% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Highlands Quick Facts
How Highlands 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 | 4,575 | 4,518 | -1.2% |
| Median household income | $90,082 | $91,913 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $394,800 | $455,000 | +15.2% |
How Highlands 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: 66 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Highlands Rankings in New Jersey
Explore New Jersey Rankings
Other Cities in Monmouth County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long Branch | 32,530 | $79,653 | 15.5% | $574,000 |
| Tinton Falls | 19,361 | $117,308 | 6.8% | $478,000 |
| Asbury Park | 15,295 | $75,544 | 21.9% | $581,100 |
| West Freehold | 14,883 | $130,800 | 4.0% | $529,000 |
| Eatontown | 13,575 | $90,463 | 4.4% | $492,400 |
| Red Bank | 12,862 | $97,477 | 8.7% | $504,900 |
| Freehold | 12,507 | $85,707 | 14.3% | $416,800 |
| Robertsville | 12,035 | $210,661 | 2.6% | $685,100 |
| Keansburg | 9,719 | $81,428 | 10.7% | $311,800 |
| Matawan | 9,710 | $123,354 | 10.5% | $467,800 |
Cities Similar to Highlands
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackwood | 4,443 | $90,061 | $235,500 | 21.8% | 11.4% |
| Oak Valley | 4,413 | $93,472 | $242,600 | 17.8% | 16.2% |
| Neptune City | 4,606 | $88,864 | $420,700 | 30.5% | 16.9% |
| Buena | 4,520 | $79,697 | $256,800 | 25.6% | 8.7% |
| Ellisburg | 4,829 | $90,417 | $330,900 | 42.9% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Highlands is a small community located in New Jersey, within Monmouth County. The total population is 4,518. It ranks as the 319th most populous out of 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey.
Age Demographics
The median age in Highlands is 46.8 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 13.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.7% 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 Highlands is $91,913. This is 11% lower than the state median of $103,556. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.1%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.7%. The unemployment rate is 7.5%. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $455,000. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $454,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 61.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 63.8%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Highlands is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (80.5% vs 50.9%). The Hispanic or Latino population (7.8%) is well below the state average of 22.5%. The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 10.1%.
Education
51.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 18% higher than the state rate of 43.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.3%. Notably, 21.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Highlands, New Jersey 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 New Jersey state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 700 Census-designated places in New Jersey. 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 Highlands, New Jersey?
Highlands, New Jersey has a population of 4,518 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Highlands, NJ?
The median household income in Highlands is $91,913, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Highlands, NJ?
The poverty rate in Highlands is 10.1%. This means approximately 455 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Highlands, New Jersey?
Highlands's population is 80.5% White, 7.3% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Highlands, NJ?
The median home value in Highlands is $455,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Highlands, New Jersey?
51.5% of adults (25+) in Highlands hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.