Highwood, IL

Census place 1734865 · pop 5,301

D−46/ 100
🫤 Rough
D−
in IL
📍 Illinois ranks #39 of 50 states →
🏆 Broadband96.4% · top 11%
🚽 Prop tax2.26% · bottom 6%
Taxes
2.26% property · US 0.99%8.96% sales · US 7.00%4.95% flat income · US 4.63%

Sales & income are statewide.

The breakdown — worst first

Property-tax burden2.26%6

U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities

2.26% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.

Commute time31 min13

U.S. median 24 min · worse than most cities

31 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.

Uninsured adults15.2%17

U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities

15.2% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.

Unemployment rateCounty-level4.5%21

U.S. median 3.6% · worse than most cities

4.5% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Rent$2,238/mo24

U.S. median $1,756/mo · worse than most cities

$2,238/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).

Homeownership56.0%28

U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities

56.0% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.

Population growth (5yr)-0.2%29

U.S. median +2.4% · worse than most cities

-0.2% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?

Housing cost$405,40029

U.S. median $214,900 · worse than most cities

$405,400 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.

Poverty rate16.0%30

U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities

16.0% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.

Unhealthy air daysCounty-level5 days36

U.S. median 1 days · worse than most cities

5 unhealthy-air days per year · Days per year with unhealthy air (AQI above 100). Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Natural disaster riskCounty-level94/10036

U.S. median 77/100 · worse than most cities

94/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Adult obesity36.2%42

U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities

36.2% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).

Income inequality0.4447

U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities

Gini 0.44 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).

Physical inactivity24.0%56

U.S. median 26.5% · better than most cities

24.0% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.

Adult smoking11.6%67

U.S. median 14.6% · better than most cities

11.6% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.

Bachelor's degree or higher39.1%67

U.S. median 24.3% · better than most cities

39.1% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.

Air quality (AQI)County-level40 AQI68

U.S. median 42 AQI · better than most cities

40 median AQI · Median air quality index — lower is cleaner air. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.

Violent crime rate93/100k73

U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities

93 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.

Poor mental health14.9%79

U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities

14.9% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).

Median household income$107,87581

U.S. median $67,857 · better than most cities

$107,875 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.

Property crime rate557/100k81

U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities

557 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.

Broadband access96.4%89

U.S. median 90.0% · better than most cities

96.4% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.

Frequently asked

Is Highwood, IL a good place to live?
By the numbers, Highwood scores 46/100 — a D− (Rough) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 22 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is broadband access and its weakest is property-tax burden. Illinois overall ranks #39 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
How safe is Highwood, IL?
Highwood reports 93 violent crimes per 100k and 557 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
Is Highwood, IL expensive to live in?
Highwood has a median home value of $405,400 and typical rent around $2,238/mo — pricier than most U.S. cities.
What's the biggest downside of living in Highwood, IL?
Its weakest measured area is property-tax burden (2.26%) — 6/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
What is Highwood, IL best at?
Its strongest measured area is broadband access (96.4%) — 89/100, better than most U.S. cities.

Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.