Key Indicators – Highlands County
Source: FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
updated 09/06/25 2146
Maps – Housing
Map – Household Vacancy
The percentage of all housing units that are currently vacant and not occupied by the owner or a renter.
At 20.9% Highlands County has a housing vacancy rate higher than 76% of the counties in the state, but comparable to most of the neighboring counties.
Source: Owner-Occupied Housing Units (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Homeownership
The percentage of all occupied households in which the occupant owns the house
The homeowner occupancy rate in Highlands County is 78.9%. The homeowner occupancy rate in Highlands County is relatively high, higher than more than 68% of counties in the state of Florida.
Source: Owner-Occupied Housing Units (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Rental Vacancy
The percentage of all houses for rent that remain vacant
The rental vacancy rate in Highlands County is 3.8%. This is amongst the lowest rental vacancy rates in the state of Florida. More than 77% of counties in the state of Florida have a higher rental vacancy rate, including many of the counties surrounding Highlands.
Source: Rental Vacancy Rate (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Median Home Value
Median value of all listed homes sold in the county in 2023
The median home value in Highlands County is $177,900. This is in the lower half of median home values in the state of Florida.
Source: Median Owner-Occupied Housing Unit Value (Census ACS), FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Housing Cost Burden (All Households)
Renters and homeowners spending more than 30% of income on housing
22.9% of all residents in Highlands County are considered housing burdened. That is, 22.9% of Highlands County residents spend more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. Highlands County has one of the lowest housing burden rates in the state of Florida, and has a lower percentage of housing burdened residents than all of the surrounding counties.
Map – Housing Cost Burden (Homeowners Only)
Homeowners spending more than 30% of their income on a mortgage and other housing costs
16.6% of all homeowners in Highlands County are considered Housing Burdened. That is, 16.6% of Highlands County homeowners spend more than 30% of their monthly income on mortgage costs. This is one of the lowest homeowner cost burden rates in the state of Florida.
Map – Housing Cost Burden (Renters)
Renters paying more than 30% of their income towards rent
52.8% of Highlands County renters spend more than 30% of their monthly income on rental costs, and are thus considered housing burdened. The renter burden rate in Highlands County is lower than 65% of the counties in Florida.
Map – Homelessness
Total number of reported homeless persons in the county
It is estimated that approximately 159 homeless people live in Highlands County. This is slightly below the median number of homeless individuals per county in Florida, which is 195.
Map – Public Assistance
Percentage of county residents receiving SNAP benefits, rental assistance, or other direct cash government assistance.
15.7% of Highlands County residents receive rental assistance, SNAP benefits, or direct cash benefits. This percentage is greater than 60% of the counties in the state.
Source: Households Receiving Cash Public Assistance or Food Stamps (Census ACS), FL healthcharts.gov, 2023
Map – Severe Housing Problems
Percentage of households lacking kitchen facilities, lacking working plumbing, overcrowded, or paying more than 50% of income toward housing
With 11.3% of its residents experiencing severe housing problems, Hardee County’s rate is lower than that of 77% of Florida counties.
Source: Population with Severe Housing Problems, FLhealthcharts.gov, 2023
Homeownership Statistics – Highlands County
Rental Statistics – Highlands County
ALICE Dashboard
Some families exceed the income level of the Federal Poverty Line, but still struggle to collect enough income to make ends meet and provide basic necessities. These families fall below the ALICE threshold.
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology. These workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin, while keeping our local communities running.
