Highlands

Perched high at an elevation of 4,118 feet, the quaint mountain town is renowned for its upscale downtown.

Highlands, North Carolina, is where you'll write your story.

Vignette Realty brings the narrative imagined in the mountains to reality. 'Established as a resort town in 1875,' says its website, 'Highlands, North Carolina is one of the most sought-after luxury residential communities in Western North Carolina, nestled at  4,118 feet in the Southern Appalachian foothills at the western end of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a place where large-scale development has not yet touched Highlands' sacred spaces. At just 1,321 residents, Highlands can be appropriately described as small but with an air of grandeur.'

Why Highlands?

Life in Highlands, NC, is tranquil and mixed with all the activities one would expect to find in a small, vibrant town. What sets Highlands apart is its four distinct seasons, each with its unique charm. We do not endure extreme weather conditions, but rather, we enjoy a temperate climate that offers comfort to homeowners and travelers who visit year-round. This climate, combined with a wide assortment of activities, from strolling, shopping, and dining to hiking and nature, makes Highlands a unique and appealing destination.

Highlands, the Aspen of the East, is a prime, picture-perfect town for the high-end buyer who wants to get in on a mountain getaway. It's also an ideal relocation choice for retirees, second-homeowners, or year-round town residents. 

Highlands is a magnet for prospective buyers of every type. Luxury home developments snuggle up against the mountainside, surrounding trails with custom homes, estates, and cottages that'll have you living the good life. Your home will sit high with a soothing, year-round breeze sweeping through. Head down towards the town, and things get equally exciting.

The Highlands Real Estate Market

Home prices in Highlands are higher than those in nearby mountain communities, reflecting the desirability of the area. Most houses offer a modern hybrid of old-world rusticity and elegance, with new moving parts like stone fireplaces, expansive decks with vistas, and gated entry to golf courses and country clubs. The market is characterized by a shortage of inventory, which, coupled with high demand, makes finding the right home a time-sensitive and personal process. However, this limited inventory and high demand also speak to the stability of our property values.

We pride ourselves on offering our clients a boutique approach to real estate. We understand that procuring the right home can be very time-sensitive and personal. Highlands is desirable for investors and homeowners due to its inventory and high demand in our real estate market. Securing a prized home is an art form mastered in this small part of the city, and the limited inventory and high demand speak to the stability of our property values. 

Mountain Living with Modern Comforts

Ultimately, what makes Highlands unique is its ability to bring contemporary conveniences to the mountain town, a lively downtown district rich with boutique shops, gourmet restaurants, and fine art. Surrounded by waterfalls and national forests, within easy reach of popular hiking and fishing spots, and to the ends of the earth, Highlands offers the very best in outdoor pursuits. 

Highlands homes range from contemporary-like buildings to A-frame mountain cabins and estates, each offering a unique living experience. The area provides a quiet and peaceful environment, coupled with the opportunity to attend the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival, the Highlands Food and Wine Festival, summer concerts, and mingle with elegant people. These events and the unique lifestyle they offer make a living in Highlands a genuinely enriching experience.

Vignette Realty: Your Trusted Highlands Real Estate Partner

We understand the lifestyle here because we were raised here and have been selling Highlands real estate for many years. We know EVERYTHING there is to know about the Highlands AND will provide you with local, personalized service with your real estate experience that will make it easy, seamless, and a pleasure to work with us. We are dedicated to finding you or your family the home that will create your lifetime of memories.

Our new approach to marketing properties, as well as the lifestyle and the experience they contribute to living in Highlands, distinguishes us from realtors as it encapsulates our commitment to your goals (either as sellers, buyers, or investors) for each of our clients. Our high standards provide clients with the Vignette Difference that sets us apart from other brokerages.  

Start Your Highlands Story Today 

Ready to write your story in the mountains? Condensing everything you need about the Highlands real estate market into one story would rival "Gone with the Wind." There are so many channels to navigate, and the amount of factors to consider before even getting started can feel daunting – and for good reason. This isn't a transaction you can approach lightly. But our team can be ready – and waiting – to help start your story in the mountains, but only if you act today. Are you ready? 

 

What to Love

Highlands, North Carolina, has long been a refuge for families looking to escape the summer heat of the Southeast. Temperatures rarely climb above 80 degrees on even the hottest days. Perched at 4,300 feet, the quaint mountain town is renowned for its upscale downtown.
 

Dining

Things to Do

Wooden sign 'Highlands Elev: 4118' before a serene lake, trees, and charming house—ideal for real estate or serene work environment ads. Highlands Highlands Highlands A narrow dirt path winds through a garden filled with green shrubs and pink flowers, offering real estate agents a serene backdrop for a new listing appointment Highlands Highlands Highlands

Overview for Highlands, NC

1,105 people live in Highlands, where the median age is 60.2 and the average individual income is $44,842. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

1,105

Total Population

60.2 years

Median Age

Low

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$44,842

Average individual Income

Around Highlands, NC

There's plenty to do around Highlands, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

64
Somewhat Walkable
Walking Score
33
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Roots & Vine, Edelweiss Highlands, and The Spice And Tea Exchange.

Name Category Distance Reviews
Ratings by Yelp
Dining 0.15 miles 7 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 0.5 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining · $$ 0.05 miles 5 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining · $ 0.25 miles 6 reviews 5/5 stars
Dining 0.12 miles 18 reviews 4.9/5 stars
Dining · $$$ 0.63 miles 12 reviews 4.8/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Highlands, NC

Highlands has 689 households, with an average household size of 1.56. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Highlands do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 1,105 people call Highlands home. The population density is 180.34 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

1,105

Total Population

Low

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

60.2

Median Age

46.79 / 53.21%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

  • Less Than 9th Grade
  • Associate Degree
  • Bachelor Degree
689

Total Households

1.56

Average Household Size

$44,842

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married
Single
Divorced
Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes
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