Highlands County Demographics

A map of Highlands County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	66,703	65,511	63.1%	64.7%
Hispanic	23,465	20,943	22.2%	20.7%
Black	9,819	9,484	9.3%	9.4%
Multiracial	3,286	3,048	3.1%	3.0%
Asian	1,598	1,602	1.5%	1.6%
Native American/Other	831	647	0.8%	0.6%

Highlands County, Florida has an estimated population of 105,702, an increase from the 101,235 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 63.1% White, 22.2% Hispanic, 9.3% Black, 3.1% Multiracial, 1.5% Asian, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Highlands County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Highlands has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Florida overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Highlands County, that probability was 52.8% in 2020 and 54.3% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Highlands County is ranked the 36th most populous county in Florida, out of 67 counties. Highlands County was ranked the 36th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Highlands County's White Population

66,703 residents of Highlands County, or 63.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Highlands County is considerably higher than in Florida overall, where 50.4% of the population is White. Highlands County ranks 43rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands County's White population has grown by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Highlands County's population has decreased from 64.7% to 63.1%.

Highlands County is more White than neighboring Glades County (54.6% White), Okeechobee County (61.8% White), Hardee County (46.4% White), DeSoto County (54.9% White), and Polk County (50.8% White).

Highlands County's Black Population

9,819 residents of Highlands County, or 9.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Highlands County is lower than in Florida overall, where 14.6% of the population is Black. Highlands County ranks 41st statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands County's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.5%. Black residents' share of Highlands County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 9.3%.

Highlands County is more Black than neighboring Okeechobee County (7.5% Black), and Hardee County (7.2% Black). Highlands County is less Black than neighboring Glades County (14.7% Black), DeSoto County (12.3% Black), and Polk County (14.1% Black).

Highlands County's Asian Population

1,598 residents of Highlands County, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Highlands County is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 2.9% of the population is Asian. Highlands County ranks 28th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands County's Asian population has remained roughly the same. Asian residents' share of Highlands County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Highlands County is more Asian than neighboring Glades County (0.5% Asian), Okeechobee County (0.7% Asian), Hardee County (1.1% Asian), and DeSoto County (0.1% Asian). Highlands County is less Asian than neighboring Polk County (1.8% Asian).

Highlands County's Hispanic Population

23,465 residents of Highlands County, or 22.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Highlands County is lower than in Florida overall, where 27.4% of the population is Hispanic. Highlands County ranks 17th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 12.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Highlands County's population has increased from 20.7% to 22.2%.

Highlands County is less Hispanic than neighboring Glades County (25.7% Hispanic), Okeechobee County (26.1% Hispanic), Hardee County (42.3% Hispanic), DeSoto County (30.1% Hispanic), and Polk County (29.2% Hispanic).

Highlands County's Native American/Other Population

831 residents of Highlands County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Highlands County is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Highlands County ranks 53rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 28.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Highlands County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Highlands County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Okeechobee County (0.7% Native American/Other), Hardee County (0.3% Native American/Other), and DeSoto County (0.5% Native American/Other). Highlands County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Glades County (3.5% Native American/Other).

Highlands County's Multiracial Population

3,286 residents of Highlands County, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Highlands County is comparable to the share in Florida overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Highlands County ranks 50th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 67 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 7.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Highlands County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.1%.

Highlands County is more Multiracial than neighboring Glades County (1.1% Multiracial), Hardee County (2.6% Multiracial), and DeSoto County (2.1% Multiracial). Highlands County is less Multiracial than neighboring Okeechobee County (3.2% Multiracial), and Polk County (3.4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.