Highlands: Economy & Jobs
Households in Highlands earn a median $71,509 (1.2× higher than Macon County median $59,061; about the same as North Carolina median $72,388), with homes at a median value of $700,900. The surrounding county supports 14,477 jobs (avg $48,540).
- $66,990 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs North Carolina $84,123).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $71,509 — below the North Carolina median ($79,112). Poverty rate 7.9% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 28% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 9.8× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | very expensive |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 15.2% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 28.2% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 7.9% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 3.8% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $17,450 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $1,168,983 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $66,990 (vs North Carolina $84,123) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $72,644 |
| Median Household Income | $71,509 (vs North Carolina $79,112) |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Professional |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $71,509 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 1.9% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 24% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 23.7% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 14,477 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $702,692,568 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $48,540 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 4,795,040 |
| Unemployment Rate | 1.9% (vs North Carolina 3.1%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 2 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 4,377 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 2,188.50 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Cut Christmas Trees & Short Te, Cut Christmas Trees, Animal Totals, Floriculture Totals |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 1,103 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 13,008 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 541,348 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 7 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 16 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 10 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 4 |
| Local Businesses · Electronics Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Used Car Dealers | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Florists | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 10 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 43 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 35 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 8 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 7 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (3)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (4)
| Nearest Snap · Name | BRYSONS FOOD STORE INC |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 4 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | HIGHLANDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $261,854,369 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 6,074.24 (vs North Carolina $7,140) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 43,109 people (vs North Carolina 70,630) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 43.6% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 25.5% |
| Pct Walked | 23.7% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 62.7 years (vs North Carolina 36.2y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 44.0% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12