Highlands, Texas Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Highlands, Texas had a total population of 6,335, the 366th largest community in Texas, with a median household income of $52,167, which is 34% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 34% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
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 | 7,339 | 6,335 | -13.7% |
| Median household income | $54,524 | $52,167 | -4.3% |
| Median home value | $191,400 | $214,400 | +12.0% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 67 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Highlands Rankings in Texas
Explore Texas Rankings
Other Cities in Harris County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 2,328,253 | $64,813 | 19.9% | $277,800 |
| Pasadena | 149,433 | $64,927 | 18.9% | $209,600 |
| Pearland | 127,514 | $118,842 | 4.1% | $356,300 |
| The Woodlands | 121,002 | $140,701 | 5.5% | $511,700 |
| League City | 116,215 | $121,099 | 5.4% | $360,000 |
| Atascocita | 99,354 | $118,226 | 7.4% | $307,400 |
| Baytown | 85,205 | $59,910 | 18.2% | $197,300 |
| Missouri City | 76,558 | $94,390 | 7.1% | $311,400 |
| Spring | 68,580 | $88,997 | 10.4% | $231,500 |
| Channelview | 43,605 | $64,422 | 20.3% | $195,900 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penitas | 6,444 | $48,993 | $167,000 | 11.7% | 23.8% |
| Carthage | 6,601 | $51,250 | $164,200 | 14.6% | 11.0% |
| Keene | 6,691 | $51,695 | $225,300 | 23.1% | 13.6% |
| Wilmer | 6,391 | $59,626 | $157,200 | 15.8% | 32.7% |
| Gladewater | 6,227 | $58,810 | $174,000 | 20.5% | 22.5% |
Population Overview
Highlands is a small city located in Texas, within Harris County. The total population is 6,335. It ranks as the 366th most populous out of 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas.
Age Demographics
The median age in Highlands is 40.6 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 35.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Highlands is $52,167. This is 34% lower than the state median of $78,476. It is also 35% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.8%. This is 29% lower than the state poverty rate of 13.8%. The unemployment rate is 10.1%. This is 91% higher than the state rate of 5.3%. The median home value is $214,400. Housing costs are 24% lower than the state median of $283,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 80.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 62.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Highlands is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 40.5%.
Education
11.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 67% lower than the state rate of 33.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 79.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Highlands, Texas 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 Texas state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,795 Census-designated places in Texas. 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, Texas?
Highlands, Texas has a population of 6,335 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Highlands, TX?
The median household income in Highlands is $52,167, which is 35% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Highlands, TX?
The poverty rate in Highlands is 9.8%. This means approximately 621 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Highlands, Texas?
Highlands's population is 48.8% White, 7.9% Black, 40.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Highlands, TX?
The median home value in Highlands is $214,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Highlands, Texas?
11.3% of adults (25+) in Highlands hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.