Highland County Public RecordsVirginia

Highland County, VA, boasts one of the lowest crime rates in Virginia, with violent crime rates at just 0.37 per 1,000 residents and property crime rates around 4.11 per 1,000, both significantly below state and national averages. In 2022, Highland County reported fewer than 10 total criminal incidents, according to Virginia State Police data. The crime statistics are regularly monitored and published by local authorities, ensuring transparent reporting and helping maintain the county’s reputation as a safe, close-knit rural community.

Highland County, VA, has one public school—Highland High School/Elementary—with combined K-12 grades serving under 200 students. About 84% of adults have a high school diploma, and roughly 20% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The school reported safe environments with zero significant incidents in recent years. Academic performance averages a 69/100 on state assessments. Educational programs include dual-enrollment and vocational training, but specialized offerings are limited due to small size.

Highland County, VA had an estimated civilian labor force of about 1,140 in 2022, with an unemployment rate of 2.9%. Major employment sectors include educational services, health care, and social assistance (23%), agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting (17%), and retail trade (13%). Most workers (about 70%) are employed in management, professional, or related occupations. Over 77% of workers commute alone by car, with a mean travel time of 29 minutes; nearly 54% work outside the county. The rural nature of the county contributes to the prominence of agricultural and educational employment.

Highland County, VA, features a high homeownership rate of about 80%, with median home values near $220,000 as of 2023. Rental options are limited, with median rents around $800 per month. The housing market remains stable, seeing modest annual appreciation of 2–3%. Most homes are single-family, with historic farmhouses and rural cabins prevalent; multifamily units are rare. Neighborhoods are small and close-knit, centered on Monterey and McDowell. Property tax rates are low, averaging $0.48 per $100 assessed value, keeping total annual property taxes typically below $1,200 for most homeowners.

As of the 2020 Census, Highland County, VA, had a population of 2,232. The median age was 55.6 years, reflecting an older demographic. Approximately 51% of residents were male and 49% female. The county population was predominantly White (96.5%), with very small percentages identifying as Black or African American (0.7%), two or more races (2.3%), and Hispanic or Latino (1.4%).

Highland County, VA, has about 1,650 registered voters (2023). Elections include local, state, and federal races, with GOP dominance—79% voted Republican for president in 2020. The county has three polling locations: Monterey, Blue Grass, and McDowell. Key issues include broadband access and rural health. Elections are managed by the Highland County Registrar’s office. Two main parties—Republican and Democratic—compete, but Republicans hold most offices. Voter turnout is high, with over 65% participation in recent general elections.