RANK #524 / 1001 NAT · #22 / 41 FL · POP 105,702
1YR FORECAST: -1.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
Highlands County, Florida, offers a distinctive blend of natural beauty and small-town character, with Lake Placid, known as the "Town of Murals," being a notable highlight. This central Florida county is situated roughly two hours south of Orlando, providing a quieter alternative to the state's more bustling areas. Commuting within the county is generally short, averaging around 20 minutes. The community feel is often described as friendly and welcoming, with a relaxed pace. Outdoor recreation is a major draw, with Highlands Hammock State Park, one of Florida's oldest state parks, offering extensive hiking and biking trails through old-growth forests and cypress swamps where visitors can spot alligators and various bird species. The county also boasts over 100 lakes, providing opportunities for fishing, boating, and other water sports.
Life in Highlands County appeals to those seeking a lower cost of living and a connection to nature. Many retirees are drawn to the area, though families also reside here, supported by public schools that are considered above average. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture, particularly citrus and cattle, has diversified to include tourism and healthcare. Recent economic developments show investment flowing into energy sectors, contributing to the county's evolving economic landscape. The county's central location allows for access to larger metropolitan areas without the daily crowds and traffic.
Highlands County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices -1.5% YoY, population +1.8%, wages +4.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Housing looks overvalued at 13.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Highlands County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Highland Solar South
Placid Solar, LLC
|
$75M | Planned |
|
Lake Placid Solar Power Plant (45 MW Solar + 18 MW Battery Storage)
Duke Energy Florida, LLC
|
$63M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Highlands County scores 47/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#524). Median household income is $54,897 and job growth is running at -0.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Highlands County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $187,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.29, with rents averaging $1,035/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Highlands County's population is growing — up +1.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.4%). Home values shifted -1.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.09% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Highlands County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.