Highlands County, FL

County

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2021 Population

101,174

3.25% 1-year decline

US Senator

Marco Rubio

Republican Party

US Senator

Rick Scott

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

53.7

0.739% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

15.9%

0.984% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$46,895

7.29% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$131,900

9.46% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

34,303

0.105% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Highlands County, FL had a population of 101k people with a median age of 53.7 and a median household income of $46,895. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Highlands County, FL declined from 104,574 to 101,174, a −3.25% decrease and its median household income grew from $43,708 to $46,895, a 7.29% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Highlands County, FL are White (Non-Hispanic) (65.1%), White (Hispanic) (12.7%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.8%), Other (Hispanic) (5.45%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.85%).

None of the households in Highlands County, FL reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

94.4% of the residents in Highlands County, FL are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Highlands County, FL are South Florida State College (739 degrees awarded in 2021) and UR Beauty & Barber Academy (16 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Highlands County, FL was $131,900, and the homeownership rate was 76.6%.

Most people in Highlands County, FL drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21 minutes. The average car ownership in Highlands County, FL was 2 cars per household.

Highlands County, FL borders Charlotte County, FL, DeSoto County, FL, Glades County, FL, Hardee County, FL, Okeechobee County, FL, Osceola County, FL, and Polk County, FL.

United States Florida Sebring, FL

Population & Diversity

Highlands County, FL is home to a population of 101k people, from which 94.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 11.2% of Highlands County, FL residents were born outside of the country (11.3k people).

In 2021, there were 5.12 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (65.9k people) in Highlands County, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12.9k White (Hispanic) and 8.9k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

94.4%

2021 Citizenship

94.2%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 94.4% of Highlands County, FL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Highlands County, FL was 94.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Highlands County, FL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Highlands County, FL

White (Non-Hispanic)
65.9k ± 475
White (Hispanic)
12.9k ± 1.13k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
8.9k ± 387

21.1%

Hispanic Population

21.4k people

21.1% of the people in Highlands County, FL are hispanic (21.4k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Highlands County, FL as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Florida.

Most Common Origin

Cuba
993,450 ± 23,894 people
Haiti
340,538 ± 14,212 people
Colombia
292,600 ± 13,189 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Florida was Cuba, the natal country of 993,450 Florida residents, followed by Haiti with 340,538 and Colombia with 292,600.

Foreign-Born Population

11.2%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

11.3k people

11.3%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

11.8k people

As of 2021, 11.2% of Highlands County, FL residents (11.3k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Highlands County, FL was 11.3%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Highlands County, FL compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,756 ± 372
Korea
1,208 ± 264
Gulf War (1990s)
896 ± 274

Highlands County, FL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.11 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Highlands County, FL employs 34.3k people. The largest industries in Highlands County, FL are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,384 people), Retail Trade (4,745 people), and Construction (3,463 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($68,462), Wholesale Trade ($60,203), and Public Administration ($46,609).

Males in Florida have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $51,213. The income inequality in Florida (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

34.3k

2021 Value

± 1,656

−0.105%

1 Year decline

± 6.89%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Highlands County, FL declined at a rate of −0.105%, from 34.3k employees to 34.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Highlands County, FL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,191 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,582 people), and Management Occupations (2,651 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Highlands County, FL.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Florida (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

34.3k

2021 Value

± 1,656

−0.105%

1 Year decline

± 6.89%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Highlands County, FL declined at a rate of −0.105%, from 34.3k employees to 34.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Highlands County, FL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,384 people), Retail Trade (4,745 people), and Construction (3,463 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Highlands County, FL, though some of these residents may live in Highlands County, FL and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$35,363

Median earning men ± $1,983

$29,698

Median earning women ± $2,962

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($107,014), Wholesale Trade ($60,372), and Public Administration ($45,758).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($48,981), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($42,821), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($38,899).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Florida. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Florida.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,125
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
444
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
428
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$513k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$149k
Retail Trade
$116k
Manufacturing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Florida to other states, or from other states to Florida.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Florida product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $93.7B, followed by Electronics ($57.8B) and Pharmaceuticals ($56.4B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Florida products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Florida.

$640B

2020 Value in Florida

$1.41T

Projected 2050 Value in Florida

121% growth

In 2020, total outbound Florida trade was $640B. This is expected to increase 121% to $1.41T by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Florida trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Florida to other states, or from other states to Florida.

Most Common Trade Partners

Georgia
$22.9B
Texas
$17.8B
California
$14.6B

In 2020, the top outbound Florida domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $22.9B, followed by Texas with $17.8B and California and $14.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Florida shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Highlands County, FL went to Donald J. Trump with 66.8% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (32.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.427%).

Marco Rubio and Rick Scott are the senators currently representing the state of Florida. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Florida is currently represented by 28 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (66.8%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (32.5%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.427%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Highlands County, FL for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Florida

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.

Marco Rubio

Senator from Florida

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Rick Scott

Senator from Florida

Assumed office on January 8, 2019
Inauguration delayed in order to finish his term as Governor of Florida.

Marco Rubio and Rick Scott are the senators currently representing Florida.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Florida over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Florida

Florida is currently represented by 28 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Florida have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Highlands County, FL awarded 755 degrees. The student population of Highlands County, FL in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 979 male students and 1,817 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Highlands County, FL are White (358 and 48.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (267 and 35.9%), Black or African American (69 and 9.29%), and Unknown (18 and 2.42%).

The largest universities in Highlands County, FL by number of degrees awarded are South Florida State College (739 and 97.9%) and UR Beauty & Barber Academy (16 and 2.12%).

The most popular majors in Highlands County, FL are Liberal Arts & Sciences (234 and 31%), Registered Nursing (78 and 10.3%), and Corrections (64 and 8.48%).

The median tuition cost in Highlands County, FL for a public four year colleges is $3,135 for in-state students and $11,829 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 2,796 students enrolled in Highlands County, FL, 35% men and 65% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,142 records, of which 63% were women and 37% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
234 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
73 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
11 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Highlands County, FL was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 234 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Highlands County, FL according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

South Florida State College
739 degrees awarded
UR Beauty & Barber Academy
16 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was South Florida State College with 739 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 291 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Highlands County, FL, which is 0.627 times less than the 464 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 358 degrees mean that there were 1.34 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 267 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 4-year or above ($3,135) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($30) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,220) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.

Measure

In 2021, 1.12% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 1.13% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Florida.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (4.9M), Some college (3.57M), and Bachelors Degree (3.2M).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Highlands County, FL was $131,900 in 2021, which is 0.539 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $120,500 to $131,900, a 9.46% increase. The homeownership rate in Highlands County, FL is 76.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Highlands County, FL have an average commute time of 21 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Highlands County, FL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Highlands County, FL is $46,895. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Highlands County, FL was Census Tract 9613.01 with a value of $65,313, followed by Census Tract 9616.02 and Census Tract 9615, with respective values of $62,750 and $58,269.

In 2022, 14.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Highlands County, FL. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.6%.

Housing

Property

$131,900

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,982

$33,694

Median Property Taxes

±$1,432

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Highlands County, FL the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Highlands County, FL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

76.6%

Homeownership

2021

65.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 76.6% of the housing units in Highlands County, FL were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 77%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Highlands County, FL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9613.01
Census Tract 9616.02
Census Tract 9615

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Highlands County, FL was Census Tract 9613.01 with a value of $65,313, followed by Census Tract 9616.02 and Census Tract 9615, with respective values of $62,750 and $58,269.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Highlands County, FL colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$46,895

Median Household Income

± $2,297

44k

Number of Households

± 1,839

In 2021, the median household income of the 44k households in Highlands County, FL grew to $46,895 from the previous year's value of $43,708.

The following chart displays the households in Highlands County, FL distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $60k - $75k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Highlands County, FL is from Florida.

0.473

2021 Wage GINI in Florida

0.472

2020 Wage GINI in Florida

In 2021, the income inequality in Florida was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.108% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Florida was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Florida in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Florida across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (77.1%)
Carpooled (11.5%)
Worked At Home (6.24%)

In 2021, 77.1% of workers in Highlands County, FL drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.5%) and those who worked at home (6.24%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

21 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Highlands County, FL have a shorter commute time (21 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.79% of the workforce in Highlands County, FL have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Highlands County, FL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Highlands County, FL distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Highlands County, FL have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 14.3% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Highlands County, FL. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

15.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Highlands County, FL (15.9k out of 99.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 75+.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Highlands County, FL is White, followed by Hispanic and Black.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 26.6% of the children was living in poverty in Highlands County, FL. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 10.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 318 in Highlands County, FL. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 32.2 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

87.6% of the population of Highlands County, FL has health coverage, with 24.9% on employee plans, 19.9% on Medicaid, 25% on Medicare, 15.3% on non-group plans, and 2.46% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Highlands County, FL see 1741 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.752% increase from the previous year (1728 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2424 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1333 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48% were men and 52% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,741 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Highlands County, FL

Primary care physicians in Highlands County, FL see an average of 1,741 patients per year. This represents a 0.752% increase from the previous year (1,728 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Highlands County, FL in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 18.3% under 18 years, 14.4% between 18 and 34 years, 32.2% between 35 and 64 years, and 35.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48% were men and 52% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

12.4%

Uninsured

24.9%

Employer Coverage

19.9%

Medicaid

25%

Medicare

15.3%

Non-Group

2.46%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Highlands County, FL grew by 1.24% from 12.3% to 12.4%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Highlands County, FL changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 64.4 in Highlands County, FL.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Highlands County, FL.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 32% in Highlands County, FL.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Highlands County, FL.

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