Highlands County, FL

County

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Population

102,101

1.92% 1-year growth

US Senator

Marco Rubio

Republican Party

US Senator

Rick Scott

Republican Party

Median Age

53.4

Poverty Rate

19.2%

Median Household Income

$37,314

2.58% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$93,800

6.71% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

32,793

2.54% 1-year growth

About

In 2018, Highlands County, FL had a population of 102k people with a median age of 53.4 and a median household income of $37,314. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Highlands County, FL grew from 100,177 to 102,101, a 1.92% increase and its median household income grew from $36,374 to $37,314, a 2.58% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Highlands County, FL are White (Non-Hispanic) (67.6%), White (Hispanic) (12.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.97%), Other (Hispanic) (6.77%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.05%). NaNk% of the people in Highlands County, FL speak a non-English language, and 93.4% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Highlands County, FL are South Florida State College (732 degrees awarded in 2017).

The median property value in Highlands County, FL is $93,800, and the homeownership rate is 75.3%. Most people in Highlands County, FL commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 18.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Highlands County, FL is 2 cars per household.

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

United States Florida Sebring, FL

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Florida. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Florida, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

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

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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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Florida across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Highlands County, FL went to Donald J. Trump with 64.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (32.7%), followed by Other (2.59%). The most partisan county was Holmes County, FL with 87.9% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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 27 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (64.7%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (32.7%)
Democratic Party
Other (2.59%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Florida went to Donald J. Trump with 64.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (32.7%), followed by Other (2.59%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Florida for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Florida.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Highlands County, FL

64.7% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Florida

Holmes County, FL
87.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Lafayette County, FL
82.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Baker County, FL
81.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Florida was Holmes County, FL with 87.9% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Florida colored by their party leaning.

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 Representatives from Florida

Florida is currently represented by 27 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.

Diversity

Highlands County, FL is home to a population of 102k people, from which 93.4% are citizens. As of 2018, 10.9% of Highlands County, FL residents were born outside of the country (11.1k people).

In 2018, there were 5.57 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (69k people) in Highlands County, FL than any other race or ethnicity. There were 12.4k White (Hispanic) and 9.16k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Highlands County, FL

White (Non-Hispanic)
69k ± 72
White (Hispanic)
12.4k ± 1.11k
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
9.16k ± 584

19.6%

Hispanic Population

20k people

19.6% of the people in Highlands County, FL are hispanic (20k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

10.9%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

11.1k people

11.1%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

11.1k people

As of 2018, 10.9% 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 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Highlands County, FL was 11.1%, 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.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.5

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.5

In 2018, the median age of all people in Highlands County, FL was 53.4. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 53, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 57. But people in Highlands County, FL are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Highlands County, FL residents was 53.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Cuba
951,787 ± 23,383 people
Haiti
321,904 ± 13,819 people
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.

Citizenship

93.4%

2018 Citizenship

93.5%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 93.4% of Highlands County, FL residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Highlands County, FL was 93.5%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,741 ± 380
Korea
1,863 ± 257
Gulf War (2001-)
880 ± 291

Highlands County, FL has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.01 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Highlands County, FL is $37,314. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Highlands County, FL was Census Tract 9613.01 with a value of $55,139, followed by Census Tract 9616.02 and Census Tract 9601.01, with respective values of $54,258 and $51,132.

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

The economy of Highlands County, FL employs 32.8k people. The largest industries in Highlands County, FL are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,610 people), Retail Trade (5,473 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (3,292 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($88,194), Finance & Insurance ($47,625), and Public Administration ($40,925).

Wages

Median Household Income

$37,314

2018 value

± $1,444

2.58%

1 Year Growth

± 4.85%

Households in Highlands County, FL have a median annual income of $37,314, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $36,374 in 2017, which represents a 2.58% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Highlands County, FL compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

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 in Florida

± $842

$44,078

Average Female Salary in Florida

± $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.

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 in Florida

Asian
$54,227 ± $3,227
Alaska Native
$50,175 ± $47,169
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 in Florida.

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

Wage Distribution

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

0.473

2017 Wage GINI in Florida

0.471

2016 Wage GINI in Florida

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 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9613.01
Census Tract 9616.02
Census Tract 9601.01

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Highlands County, FL was Census Tract 9613.01 with a value of $55,139, followed by Census Tract 9616.02 and Census Tract 9601.01, with respective values of $54,258 and $51,132.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 55 - 64

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

19.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Highlands County, FL (19.3k out of 101k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
12,085 ± 848
Hispanic
6,249 ± 652
Black
3,444 ± 494

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

32.8k

2018 Value

± 1,510

2.54%

1 Year growth

± 6.19%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Highlands County, FL grew at a rate of 2.54%, from 32k employees to 32.8k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Highlands County, FL, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,408 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,355 people), and Management Occupations (2,807 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Highlands County, FL.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Highlands County, FL, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,408 people), Sales & Related Occupations (3,355 people), and Management Occupations (2,807 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Highlands County, FL has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (6.35 times higher than expected), Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors (1.81 times), and Material Moving Occupations (1.61 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Highlands County, FL, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($81,375), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($65,083), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($63,144).

Industries

Employment by Industries

32.8k

2018 Value

± 1,510

2.54%

1 Year growth

± 6.19%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Highlands County, FL grew at a rate of 2.54%, from 32k employees to 32.8k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Highlands County, FL, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,610 people), Retail Trade (5,473 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (3,292 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Highlands County, FL, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (5,610 people), Retail Trade (5,473 people), and Accommodation & Food Services (3,292 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Highlands County, FL has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (5.25 times higher than expected), Retail Trade (1.48 times), and Accommodation & Food Services (1.33 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Highlands County, FL, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($88,194), Finance & Insurance ($47,625), and Public Administration ($40,925).

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 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.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Florida.

$457B

2015 Value in Florida

$714B

Projected 2045 Value in Florida

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.

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
$17.7B
Texas
$15.1B
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).

Education

In 2017, universities in Highlands County, FL awarded 732 degrees. The student population of Highlands County, FL is skewed towards women, with 1,026 male students and 1,834 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Highlands County, FL are White (351 and 48.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (251 and 35%), Black or African American (82 and 11.4%), and Two or More Races (13 and 1.81%).

The largest universities in Highlands County, FL by number of degrees awarded are South Florida State College (732 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Highlands County, FL are Liberal Arts & Sciences (360 and 49.2%), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT Paramedic) (54 and 7.38%), and Registered Nursing (36 and 4.92%).

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

Liberal Arts & Sciences
360 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
32 degree-majorss awarded
Dental Hygiene
6 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Highlands County, FL was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 360 degree-majorss awarded.

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

Universities

South Florida State College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

732 degrees awarded

$3,135

Median In-State Public

$N/A

Median Private

In 2017, the Highlands County, FL institution with the largest number of graduating students was South Florida State College with 732 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

302

Degrees Awarded to Men

430

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 302 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Highlands County, FL, which is 0.702 times less than the 430 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.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
351 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
251 degrees awarded
Black or African American
82 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Highlands County, FL were to White students. These 351 degrees mean that there were 1.4 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 251 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Highlands County, FL was $93,800 in 2018, which is 0.408 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $87,900 to $93,800, a 6.71% increase. The homeownership rate in Highlands County, FL is 75.3%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Highlands County, FL have an average commute time of 18.7 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.

Housing

Property Value

$93,800

2018 Median

± $4,168

$87,900

2017 Median

± $2,810

In 2018, the median property value in Highlands County, FL grew to to $93,800 from the previous year's value of $87,900.

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 N/A range.

Household Income

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

$37,314

Median Household Income

± $1,444

41k

Number of Households

± 1,444

In 2018, the median household income of the 41k households in Highlands County, FL grew to $37,314 from the previous year's value of $36,374.

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.

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.

Rent vs Own

75.3%

2018 Homeownership

74.7%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 75.3% of the housing units in Highlands County, FL were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 74.7%.

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.

Commute Time

18.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Highlands County, FL have a shorter commute time (18.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 2.64% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
77.9%
Carpooled
10.9%
Worked At Home
5.94%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Highlands County, FL was Drove Alone (77.9%), followed by those who Carpooled (10.9%) and those who Worked At Home (5.94%).

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.

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.

Health

87.3% of the population of Highlands County, FL has health coverage, with 21.9% on employee plans, 22.5% on Medicaid, 25.1% on Medicare, 15.2% on non-group plans, and 2.65% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Florida 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 in Highlands County, FL

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 its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
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.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
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.

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 in Florida

$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.

Health Care Coverage

12.7%

Uninsured

21.9%

Employer Coverage

22.5%

Medicaid

25.1%

Medicare

15.2%

Non-Group

2.65%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Highlands County, FL declined by 11% from 14.2% to 12.7%.

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.