Highlands County, FL

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Population

100,177

1.33% growth

Median Age

53.1


Median Household Income

$36,374

1.42% growth

Poverty Rate

18.7%


Number of Employees

31,980

1.34% growth

Median Property Value

$87,900

1.5% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Highlands County, FL had a population of 100k people with a median age of 53.1 and a median household income of $36,374. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Highlands County, FL grew from 98,862 to 100,177, a 1.33% increase and its median household income grew from $35,865 to $36,374, a 1.42% increase.

The population of Highlands County, FL is 68.4% White Alone, 18.9% Hispanic or Latino, and 9.25% Black or African American Alone. N/A% of the people in Highlands County, FL speak a non-English language, and 93.5% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Highlands County, FL are South Florida State College (677 degrees awarded in 2016).

The median property value in Highlands County, FL is $87,900, and the homeownership rate is 74.7%. Most people in Highlands County, FL commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 19.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Highlands County, FL is 2 cars per household.

Photo by Giuseppe Milo

United StatesFloridaSebring, FL

Economy

The economy of Highlands County, FL employs 32k people. The largest industries in Highlands County, FL are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,199 people), Retail Trade (5,096 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (2,953 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($85,972), Utilities ($73,250), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($41,690).

Median household income in Highlands County, FL is $36,374. Males in Highlands County, FL have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,078. The income inequality in Highlands County, FL (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$36,374

2017 value

± $1,135

1.42%

1 Year Growth

± 4.09%

Households in Highlands County, FL have a median annual income of $36,374, which is less than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $35,865 in 2016, which represents a 1.42% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Highlands County, FL compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$58,931

Average Male Salary

± $842

$44,078

Average Female Salary

± $574

In 2017, full-time male employees in Florida made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Florida by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $54,227 ± $3,227

  2. Alaska Native

    $50,175 ± $47,169

  3. White

    $47,927 ± $556

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Florida workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.08 times more than Alaska Native workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Florida by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

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

0.473

2017 Wage GINI

0.471

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in Florida was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.259% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for Florida was lower than than the national average of 0.479. 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.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 9616.02

  2. Census Tract 9601.01

  3. Census Tract 9613.01

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Highlands County, FL was Census Tract 9616.02 with a value of $50,750, followed by Census Tract 9601.01 and Census Tract 9613.01, with respective values of $48,710 and $46,429.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

18.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Highlands County, FL (18.5k out of 98.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 25 - 34.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    12,336 ± 879

  2. Hispanic

    6,312 ± 645

  3. Black

    2,894 ± 396

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

32k

2017 Value

± 1,396

1.34%

1 Year growth

± 6.2%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Highlands County, FL grew at a rate of 1.34%, from 31.6k employees to 32k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Highlands County, FL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,155 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,336 people), and Management Occupations (2,658 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Highlands County, FL.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Highlands County, FL, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,155 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,336 people), and Management Occupations (2,658 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Highlands County, FL has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (8.3 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (2.07 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.54 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Highlands County, FL, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($86,088), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($63,038), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($62,188).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

32k

2017 Value

± 1,396

1.34%

1 Year growth

± 6.2%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Highlands County, FL grew at a rate of 1.34%, from 31.6k employees to 32k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Highlands County, FL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,199 people), Retail Trade (5,096 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (2,953 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.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Highlands County, FL, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,199 people), Retail Trade (5,096 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (2,953 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Highlands County, FL has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (6.47 times higher than expected), Retail Trade (1.4 times), and Administrative & Support & Waste Management Services (1.33 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Highlands County, FL, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($85,972), Utilities ($73,250), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($41,690).

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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

  1. Mixed freight

    $57.1B

  2. Pharmaceuticals

    $44.9B

  3. Gasoline

    $41.8B

In 2015, the top outbound Florida product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $57.1B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($44.9B) and Gasoline ($41.8B).

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Florida state.

$457B

2015 Value

$714B

Projected 2045 Value

56.2% growth

In 2015, total outbound Florida trade was $457B. This is expected to increase 56.2% to $714B by 2045.

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

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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

  1. Georgia

    $17.7B

  2. Texas

    $15.1B

  3. California

    $10.7B

In 2015, the top outbound Florida domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $17.7B, followed by Texas with $15.1B and California and $10.7B.

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

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Health

85.8% of the population of Highlands County, FL has health coverage, with 21.5% on employee plans, 21.4% on Medicaid, 24.9% on Medicare, 15.6% on non-group plans, and 2.37% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Highlands County, FL was $8,076 in 2014. This is a 5.05% increase from the previous year ($7,688).

Primary care physicians in Highlands County, FL see 1631 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.62% increase from the previous year (1559 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2727 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1529 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Gadsden County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.9%). Additionally, Liberty County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,631 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Highlands County, FL see an average of 1,631 patients per year. This represents a 4.62% increase from the previous year (1,559 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 neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

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

$8,076

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,606

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,175

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$12,229

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Florida (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.05%, from $7,688 to $8,076.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

14.2%

Uninsured

21.5%

Employer Coverage

21.4%

Medicaid

24.9%

Medicare

15.6%

Non-Group

2.37%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Highlands County, FL declined by 6.1% from 15.2% to 14.2%.

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.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Gadsden County

    16.9% prevalence

  2. Madison County

    15.8% prevalence

  3. Taylor County

    15.5% prevalence

Gadsden County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in Florida, at 16.9%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in Florida by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Highlands County, FL is home to a population of 100k people, from which 93.5% are citizens. As of 2017, 11.1% of Highlands County, FL residents were born outside of the country (11.1k people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Highlands County, FL is composed of 68.5k White Alone residents (68.4%), 18.9k Hispanic or Latino residents (18.9%), 9.27k Black or African American Alone residents (9.25%), 1.64k Two or More Races residents (1.63%), 1.52k Asian Alone residents (1.52%), 288 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.287%), 51 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.0509%), and 13 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.013%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Highlands County, FL are N/A.

Age

Age by Nativity

53

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

55

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.7

In 2017, the median age of all people in Highlands County, FL was 53.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 53, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 55. But people in Highlands County, FL are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Highlands County, FL residents was 53.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

11.1%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

11.1k people

11.1%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

10.9k people

As of 2017, 11.1% of Highlands County, FL residents (11.1k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Highlands County, FL was 11.1%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

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Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

  1. Cuba

    951,787 ± 23,383 people

  2. Haiti

    321,904 ± 13,819 people

  3. Mexico

    272,262 ± 12,724 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Florida was Cuba, the natal country of 951,787 Florida residents, followed by Haiti with 321,904 and Mexico with 272,262.

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Citizenship

93.5%

2017 Citizenship

93.3%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 93.5% of Highlands County, FL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Highlands County, FL was 93.3%, 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.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    68.5k ± 44

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    18.9k ± 1.53k

  3. Black or African American Alone

    9.27k ± 410

In 2017, there were 3.63 times more White Alone residents (68.5k people) in Highlands County, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 18.9k Hispanic or Latino and 9.27k Black or African American Alone residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Highlands County, FL as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  2. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

  3. N/A

    N/A speakers (N/A%)

N/A% of Highlands County, FL citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is approximately the same as the national average of 21.8%. In N/A, the most common non-English language spoken in Highlands County, FL was N/A. N/A% of the overall population of Highlands County, FL are native N/A speakers. N/A% speak N/A and N/A% speak N/A, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    3,775 ± 371

  2. Korea

    2,081 ± 309

  3. Gulf War (2001-)

    854 ± 278

Highlands County, FL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.81 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Highlands County, FL awarded 677 degrees. The student population of Highlands County, FL is skewed towards women, with 1,023 male students and 1,699 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Highlands County, FL are White (385 and 57.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (201 and 30.2%), Black or African American (54 and 8.12%), and Asian (13 and 1.95%).

The largest universities in Highlands County, FL by number of degrees awarded are South Florida State College (677 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Highlands County, FL are Liberal Arts & Sciences (304 and 44.9%), Registered Nursing (49 and 7.24%), and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Paramedic) (40 and 5.91%).

The median tuition costs in Highlands County, FL are $N/A for private four year colleges, and $3,135 and $11,829 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. Liberal Arts & Sciences

    304 degrees awarded

  2. Registered Nursing

    34 degrees awarded

  3. Radiation Therapist

    9 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Highlands County, FL was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 304 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

South Florida State College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

677 degrees awarded

$3,135

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2016, the Highlands County, FL institution with the largest number of graduating students was South Florida State College with 677 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

293

Degrees Awarded to Men

384

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 293 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Highlands County, FL, which is 0.763 times less than the 384 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Highlands County, FL by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    385 degrees awarded

  2. Hispanic or Latino

    201 degrees awarded

  3. Black or African American

    54 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Highlands County, FL were to White students. These 385 degrees mean that there were 1.92 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 201 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Highlands County, FL was $87,900 in 2017, which is 0.404 times smaller than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $86,600 to $87,900, a 1.5% increase. The homeownership rate in Highlands County, FL is 74.7%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Highlands County, FL have an average commute time of 19.4 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Highlands County, FL is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$36,374

Median Household Income

± $1,135

41.4k

Number of Households

± 1,471

In 2017, the median household income of the 41.4k households in Highlands County, FL grew to $36,374 from the previous year's value of $35,865.

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.

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Housing

Property Value

$87,900

2017 Median

± $2,810

$86,600

2016 Median

± $2,842

In 2017, the median property value in Highlands County, FL grew to to $87,900 from the previous year's value of $86,600.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Highlands County, FL compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Highlands County, FL the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

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Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Highlands County, FL 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.

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Rent vs Own

74.7%

2017 Homeownership

75.6%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 74.7% of the housing units in Highlands County, FL were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 75.6%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Highlands County, FL compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

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, followed by 1 car.

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Commute Time

19.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Highlands County, FL have a shorter commute time (19.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 2.25% 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.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    79.8%

  2. Carpooled

    9.11%

  3. Worked At Home

    4.89%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Highlands County, FL was Drove Alone (79.8%), followed by those who Carpooled (9.11%) and those who Worked At Home (4.89%).

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.

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