Highlands, NC Demographics

A map of Highlands's Population by Race

Highlands, North Carolina has an estimated population of 1,074, a less than 1% change from the 1,072 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 86.8% White, 5.9% Hispanic, 5.2% Black, 1.5% Asian, 0.5% Multiracial, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Highlands, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Highlands is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Highlands, that probability was 23.9% in 2020 and 24.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Highlands is ranked the 442nd most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Highlands was ranked the 434th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Highlands's White Population

932 residents of Highlands, or 86.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Highlands is significantly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Highlands ranks 154th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Highlands's population has remained roughly unchanged at 86.8%.

Highlands is more White than neighboring Cashiers (68.4% White), Sky Valley (72.3% White), Dillard (82.2% White), and Franklin (79.6% White). Highlands is less White than neighboring Glenville (100% White).

Highlands's Black Population

56 residents of Highlands, or 5.2% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Highlands is considerably lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Highlands ranks 705th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands's Black population has grown by an estimated 700.0%. Black residents' share of Highlands's population has increased from 0.7% to 5.2%.

Highlands is more Black than neighboring Cashiers (0% Black), Glenville (0% Black), Sky Valley (0% Black), Dillard (0% Black), and Franklin (4.2% Black).

Highlands's Asian Population

16 residents of Highlands, or 1.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Highlands is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Highlands ranks 193rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands's Asian population has grown by an estimated 14.3%. Asian residents' share of Highlands's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.5%.

Highlands is more Asian than neighboring Cashiers (0% Asian), Glenville (0% Asian), Dillard (0% Asian), and Franklin (0.7% Asian). Highlands is less Asian than neighboring Sky Valley (23.2% Asian).

Highlands's Hispanic Population

63 residents of Highlands, or 5.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Highlands is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Highlands ranks 326th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 18.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Highlands's population has decreased from 7.2% to 5.9%.

Highlands is more Hispanic than neighboring Glenville (0% Hispanic), and Sky Valley (2.9% Hispanic). Highlands is less Hispanic than neighboring Cashiers (21.7% Hispanic), Dillard (16% Hispanic), and Franklin (9% Hispanic).

Highlands's Native American/Other Population

2 residents of Highlands, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Highlands is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Highlands ranks 239th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 81.8%. Native American/Other residents' share of Highlands's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.2%.

Highlands is more Native American/Other than neighboring Cashiers (0% Native American/Other), Glenville (0% Native American/Other), Sky Valley (0% Native American/Other), Dillard (0% Native American/Other), and Franklin (0.1% Native American/Other).

Highlands's Multiracial Population

5 residents of Highlands, or 0.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Highlands is slightly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Highlands ranks 560th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Highlands's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 84.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Highlands's population has decreased from 3.0% to 0.5%.

Highlands is more Multiracial than neighboring Glenville (0% Multiracial). Highlands is less Multiracial than neighboring Cashiers (10% Multiracial), Sky Valley (1.5% Multiracial), Dillard (1.8% Multiracial), and Franklin (6.4% 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.